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Need advice on repairing front end damage

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by bradman, Aug 22, 2015.

  1. Aug 22, 2015 at 6:15 AM
    #1
    bradman

    bradman [OP] Innocent Bystander

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    Brad
    Pinehurst, NC The Old North State
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    2018 Tacoma Limited
    Fuzzy Dice, Curb Detectors, White Walls
    I have a 98 Tacoma with some front end driver's side damage. How could I straighten this back out? Could I use a come-a-long or something? Would that work to possibly straighten this back out? I'm trying to get out as cheap as possible. I also have a problem where the radiator is pushed back a little. My hood isn't closing right and I was going to pull the latch area back a little to get it locking correctly again. I'm guessing that's the right thing to do. I'm attaching a couple of pictures. Thanks for any feedback.

    DSC01416.jpg DSC01417.jpg DSC01420.jpg
     
  2. Aug 22, 2015 at 6:55 AM
    #2
    Ritchie

    Ritchie Well-Known Member

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    San Diego (North County)
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    RC Step side Pre-runner
    2.7 w/auto, 4WU 3 link, F & R Diamonds, ARB's F/R w/ Yukon 5.29's, Inchworm 4.7 Lefty, Deavers, ARB OBA, Schrockworks up front.
    Take apart what you can, heat it up with a torch and massage back into place with a caulking hammer. Measure the other side for reference.

    Hope this helps.
     
    bradman[OP] likes this.
  3. Aug 22, 2015 at 8:57 AM
    #3
    CD20H

    CD20H Well-Known Member

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    North Texas
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    Magnuson Kompressor, OME lift kit, JBA Headers, junky Sony radio.
    I agree. Before I heated things up with a Ocy-Acet torch. Dissemble as much as possible and remove anything that will be affected by heat. I would take measurements of the other side. Write them down on the frame on the damaged side and where they correspond to with a paint pen. Put a come-a-long on it, put tension on it and heat up the body mount on the bends. Once heated up enough, increase tension on the come-a-long watching and making sure the bends slowly straightens out and the measurements start moving to where they are close. This will prevent from over compensating and will give better control than banging on it with a hammer. Leave the hammer for fine tuning. Once straighten enough. Paint the crap out of it.
     
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  4. Aug 22, 2015 at 5:47 PM
    #4
    Ritchie

    Ritchie Well-Known Member

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    RC Step side Pre-runner
    2.7 w/auto, 4WU 3 link, F & R Diamonds, ARB's F/R w/ Yukon 5.29's, Inchworm 4.7 Lefty, Deavers, ARB OBA, Schrockworks up front.
    I agree to some extent. Where the damage is located, he may not have the room to get the come along in place. Since you will be in there with a rosebud, massage it gently, doing your best to keep heat away from the frame. don't be too aggressive. It will take time but at the end of the day, you'll make it.

    I did something similar to my CO towers after bombing the backside of the sand dam whoops in Plaster city. Metal is definitely forgiving with a bit of persuasion.
    Be patient my friend.
     
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  5. Aug 22, 2015 at 5:52 PM
    #5
    bradman

    bradman [OP] Innocent Bystander

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    Fuzzy Dice, Curb Detectors, White Walls
    Thank you all. I have everything I need and have removed all that I could today. Tomorrow I will give it a try and see what I can come up with. Tonight I found all the parts I need and was surprised after removing everything that my replacement parts will be right at $200. That doesn't include any painting of course, but who knows I might go a completely different way with that. I really like this old truck and might do something completely different with paint. Again, thank you all.
     
  6. Aug 24, 2015 at 5:08 PM
    #6
    bradman

    bradman [OP] Innocent Bystander

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    2018 Tacoma Limited
    Fuzzy Dice, Curb Detectors, White Walls
    Okay, so you guys are without a doubt the best. I've taken my truck apart, identified all of the parts I could not bend back or fix. Most importantly followed your directions and put my frame welded part back to almost the exact spot it was prior to the crash. I would not have used the heat or the hammer and it would not have turned out as well as it did. The come-a-long was magic. I've never used a welder before but plan to use one because the piece had sheared off about an inch of the metal, not completely through. My welder is an arc welder and I'm learning on this project, that's why I scrubbed a couple of metal spots on it. I attached a couple of photos for you guys to see. It is certainly not perfect, but I did take my time and I am happy with the results. It would not have turned out this way without you guys!!! Thank you very much!!!!DSC01440.jpg DSC01441.jpg
     
  7. Aug 24, 2015 at 5:19 PM
    #7
    Ritchie

    Ritchie Well-Known Member

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    San Diego (North County)
    Vehicle:
    RC Step side Pre-runner
    2.7 w/auto, 4WU 3 link, F & R Diamonds, ARB's F/R w/ Yukon 5.29's, Inchworm 4.7 Lefty, Deavers, ARB OBA, Schrockworks up front.
    Here is a suggestion:
    Look into a plate bumper. That will eliminate the bent frame horns viewed in your 1st pic, they will be removed for the bumper install.
    I went with a ShrockWorks but there are others out there.
    Here is what I did... plasma cut the front portion of the frame cap and welded in a 1/4" plate with a nut welded onto the backside. Installed the bumper with supplied brace/ parts and finished.Bumper4.jpg

    Good job by the way.
     
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