Dented cross member

I had a bit too much fun and slammed down on the end of my front cross member and bent it up with a boulder I ordered a c4 fab bumper and need this hole for a mounting location. Any tips to bend it back to the stock way? I know it won't be perfect, just enough so I can sneak a bolt through there.

 

I’d start with a bigass pipe wrench…

 

Big pry bar.

 

Exactly what I was thinking, I'll give it a try tomorrow.

 

You could also try a chunk of 1/4” angle, below and perpendicular, and as many C clamps as you can get in the end of the frame… try to pull them together.

 

If the pipe wrench doesn't work I'll also try that. On a similar subject what paint would you recommend? Heard people talk about Rust-Oleum and steel it

 

Whatever you use, sand, degrease and prime it well, plus: smear a coat of good copper anti-seize on everything that touches before you put the new bumper on…. frame, bumper, bolts, washers. There could be as many as 3-5 different kinds of metal in contact.

 

I appreciate all the info, much appreciated!

 

(dress up all the other crusty frame spots you can get too while your under there)

 

The cross member by the transfer case definitely needs it lol

 

Portapower, with spread jaw attachment. 5min job.

 

bolt still might fit depending on the angle

 

I had to delete the stoner move. I meant to say to insert a short bolt, washer and nut, then try to bend it back with a pipe just slightly larger than the O.D. I originally said “long” bolt. Doh!

 

Stoner move times two, geeeeezuz. Looks like a long bolt can work too. Just have the nut on top and a bottom nut to fasten. Probably a washer on both ends too to spread the load. But that would be if you needed more leverage.

It looks like tight quarters, but looks doable.

I thought about a wedge, but that would cause it to spread out in other areas.

Good luck OP.

 

Used a fat cresset wrench. Did as much as I could. I'll paint it later this week. Might try and do it some more before

 

A bit of heat and a piece of 1.25” steel stock will help a great deal

 

Couple good bonks with a bigass hammer on the outsides and you should be in the vicinity of straightish

 

I'll give that a try. I was working on that last night but I don't think my neighbors would appreciate me hammering metal at 10:30 haha