Hail Damage, fix or roof rack?

Truck is 2 weeks ( ~600) miles old and got stuck about a mile from a tornado Tuesday and took some pretty good hail damage on the hood and roof ( i'll add pics later). I am thinking about just getting the hood replaced with a new one and putting a roof rack on the top vs having the truck full of bondo which wont last 10 years ( I plan to keep the truck for more than that).

My question, what rack?! or would you do something else, like leave it since I plan to keep it ( a few are very visible from the front) get it fixed even though I don't want holes drilled and bondo all over my brand new truck or maybe use some kind of filler on top of the paint and vinyl wrap the top black or something? Also the rack would have to cover pretty close to the windshield, the dents are only about 2-4 inches behind the windshield.

2014 DC SB MGM - TRD-OR

 

They won't bondo the roof just fyi

 

PDR

 

And if you are using insurance and have a loan the check gets made out to the bank so how do you plan on skipping the repairs?

 

I have a flat rack by BajaRack and it's pretty damn neat, I think.

 

What makes you think that? that was exactly what they told me they would do to fix it when I took it by there.

No loan

Gaston, thats not a bad looking rack. Thanks

PDR looks okay but they are on the other side of the US from me, anyone ever use them, do they have shops or techs elsewhere?

 

Then go somewhere else.. Most if not all hail damage can be fixed with pdr. The ones I know of that couldn't they replaced the roof panel, or totaled them.

 

Roof panel is made into the body of the truck, if they replace it its with new metal and guess what, bondo!

Edit, quick google shows some dent repair places locally, probably a good idea, if the ins. adjuster writes for standard repair I might be able to use the extra money for a roof rack anyway, so keep em coming.

 

I think you overestimate how much bondo is used now days. I know plenty of guys who have replaced roof panneps on Tacoma and other cars/trucks without bondo..

 

If I was getting insurance money for a damaged roof I'd just leave the sheet metal the way it is and put the money towards this:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...e/317754-prinsu-design-studio-roof-racks.html

EDIT: or the flat BajaRack looks good too

 

Not sure how it works where y'all are but here in texas if you have a bank loan on the truck ilthe check will be wrote out to the bank (the owner of the truck) and correct repairs have to be made. You tech. Do not own the truck and they want there investment protected.

 

No lein on the truck I own it outright.

 

Go you then. In that case I would not fix shit. Its a truck lol

 

FYI I had this happened the same day I bought an Acura TL but it was worse. The insurance paid for it to be fixed. They do not bondo anything. Now a days they have special machines that pull the dents out. Mine looked good as new after. I took it to the dealer and they outsourced it to the place that had this machine.

 

How do they attach the roof panel to the truck. Weld? How do they cover the braze / weld and make it smooth for paint?

 

It depends a lot on what panels and how bad the dents are. If there is creasing the panel will have to be replaced or a filler used to make it smooth again.

 

Weather was pretty rough past few days in this part of the state...tornados were close by to me as well. Stay safe!

 

The ones I saw cut at where the molding goes in the top where you mount roof racks ect prepped and painted over the weld I will see if he took pictures .

 

I can see this as a valid repair as you stated. What about a dent outside between the drip molding and the door opening? Plus all roofs do not have that molding or seam.

Body Filler.

 

good luck op...what a shame that this happened to a new truck