Redneck body work

[Kevin B.]

Here's the damage:

Is this something I could get mostly straight with a slide hammer? I wouldn't be going for perfect by any stretch, but is "wrinkled but not caved-in" something a novice could manage? I have this vague idea that I can drill holes in strategic places and use a slide hammer to mostly pull those panels back into shape, but I don't know how realistic that is.

 

[TJDukit]

Just use body filler, that should be redneck enough. I'm guessing the corner of the cab is going to be pretty difficult but might be doable with a slide hammer. Not a body guy myself though.

Who's truck is this?

 

[Bart]

I'm no expert but I don't think you'll pull that with a slide hammer. Looks more like a weld a chunk on and pull or winch sideways.

 

[bryson]

Cab corners are tough to straighten out with a slide hammer... I think you'd just pull out the studs/screws before you could pull out the panel. I think your best bet would be to pound the damage out from the inside of the cab. Even then, that is pretty bad damage to try to fix.

 

[Hickey]

That's a hard fix for amateur skill level. There is a lot of structure in the cab corner that is caved in. If it were mine, I'd cut and splice in prices from a good cab, or maybe a cab swap.

 

[Kevin B.]

That'd be a lot of bondo. Going to look at it this morning. I want it for the motor, but if I can get it mostly-not-retarded looking I might use it as a daily driver for the winter.

Thanks for the input, guys, I appreciate it.

 

[Hickey]

If it's just a temporary truck, remove the interior, beat it out with multiple sledge hammers and blocks of wood. Still gonna be a nasty repair.

 

[mbryson]

That's a hard fix for amateur skill level. There is a lot of structure in the cab corner that is caved in. If it were mine, I'd cut and splice in prices from a good cab, or maybe a cab swap.

This


Not that I'm an expert by any means (but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express recently), but you're not pulling that corner out with anything short of a frame rack or similar. However, the correct fix is above. Cut out the damage and weld in a good piece from a different truck or replacement panel. My guess is that's likely one of the strongest parts of the cab. It's not going to want to be pulled or pushed or massaged. It did it's job.

 

[Kevin B.]

False alarm - it isn't driveable, and he wanted drivers money for it. No motor for me yet. Also no redneck body work.