Need bodywork advice

Discussion in 'Exterior/Body' started by 93TRD, Apr 2, 2018.

  1. 93TRD

    93TRD Newbie

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2010
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Oceanside, CA
    Truck:
    93 Single Cab
    My girlfriend dented the side of her truck by hitting a pole, and was hoping for advice on how to fix it. I'm not a body work expert by any means but have some welding and fab experience. Should I try and pull the dent with a slide hammer? Or cut the whole section out and replace it with a junkyard donor piece? I'm mostly concerned with the b-pillar area. Thanks.
    https://ibb.co/bQ2Vbc
    https://ibb.co/jAtmGc
    Having trouble uploading images but those are the links to them
     
  2. TRUCK ACTION

    TRUCK ACTION Grand Toyotaholic

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2008
    Messages:
    4,188
    Likes Received:
    600
    Location:
    Vallejo,Ca.
    Truck:
    88 Extracab,2wd
    I'd check for any frame damage,looks like a deep fold!
    If frame IS ok than I'd go with cutting out the damaged areas, you will have a hard time getting the body lines good!
    And even than you will have to stitch the replacement metal in slowly as not to warp it!
     
  3. 93TRD

    93TRD Newbie

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2010
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Oceanside, CA
    Truck:
    93 Single Cab
    Frame should be fine, she just "scraped" a pole in a parking lot. I'll probably end up going that route though, I've never used a slide hammer before and can imagine it'd be hard to pull it out evenly. Thanks!
     
  4. TRUCK ACTION

    TRUCK ACTION Grand Toyotaholic

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2008
    Messages:
    4,188
    Likes Received:
    600
    Location:
    Vallejo,Ca.
    Truck:
    88 Extracab,2wd
    A stud gun with a slide hammer would be good as no holes to weld up.
    Harbor Freight has them.
     
  5. 93TRD

    93TRD Newbie

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2010
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Oceanside, CA
    Truck:
    93 Single Cab
    https://ibb.co/cDEogc
    Here's another pic, still on the fence between cutting the section out or trying to use a slide hammer to pull it
     
  6. jetas

    jetas Grand Toyotaholic

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2009
    Messages:
    6,655
    Likes Received:
    1,091
    Location:
    Oxnard, CA
    Truck:
    72.5 Hilux
    Replacing would probably be easier than trying to get the panel smooth enough to lay filler over it
     

Share This Page