veesix

For some reason, I decided to pull the front bumper. The driver's side end is bent, guess I was looking to bend it back.

Here is the damage I found. The driver's side is solid, but this side is toast.

Anyone see this before and know how to fix it?

SPEEDO

that used to be your radiator support! and it is, was structural... I would try to replace that asap! (if its a daily driver) might check with aftermarket for a replacement (call a local body shop and ask who they use)

veesix

Not my daily driver. I use it a couple times a week to take dog to the beach, and to tow my 400 pound boat.

I was thinking about patching it together with steel sheet and some bolts.

veesix

Here is a look at the driver's side. All solid. Must have something to do with the radiator overflow tank.

SPEEDO

check the aftermarket for a radiator support, drill out the old welds, square up the front end and weld in the new supt or.... if you use a patch, weld instead of bolts, but square the frt end..

veesix

Ok, but how do I "square" this beast?

SPEEDO

body shops have all the spec's, but I would go from a fixed point back by the hood hinge to the opposite side of the rad supt (criss cross) get the same measurement from both sides and its square..

veesix

Update.

veesix

New tail lamps.

veesix

I am ready to order a couple of fenders from Amazon. Any suggestions?

veesix

Anyone have some experience with after market fenders?

SPEEDO

if you want more of a bulge in the fender, get 4wd fenders, they mount up the same etc.. The (a/m fenders) fit & finish will not be the same, read all the small print etc Might check with a local body shop to see where they buy their a/m parts, then you can see before you buy...

veesix

Thanks, I am going to visit an auto body place this morning.

veesix

Ugg! Body work stuff is impossible to find. The shop I went to this morning, turns out they specialize in paint.

veesix

This bumper was bolted on extremely tight. I had to go to Sears and get another 1/2 inch drive ratchet, and another 18mm socket. The first three bolts took a huge effort, the third one I cut away with a Dremel.