Inner fender (apron) not aligning with replacement radiator support

Hey ppl,

Re: 2000 2.4L L4 standard cab 2WD

I am a novice to DIY bodywork but have a decent facility to work at with tools for loan. I am replacing damaged radiator support with a new aftermarket from Summit Racing. The problem I'm having is the apron (where it was welded to the old radiator support) has about a one inch gap in most places where it's not lining up/ reaching to the replacement radiator support. I have made sure the frame is straight, and nearly pinched out and banged out the creases and dents in the apron to where it should reach all the spots the old one is welded. I measured the new part vs the old and it seems like critical dimensions are good. I cannot see where or how the apron is bent that it's not reaching to where I can weld it.

So it's an open-ended question of 1) needing advice on what techniques work best to stretch the sheet metal of the apron forward to where I can weld it to the new rad support?, or 2) is it acceptable and safe to just use vice grips to hold everything together at the front corners and weld there if it'll reach, and not bother with the points where it was spot welded at the middle-front of the apron? Then the bumper bolts should provide lower support.

Grateful for any wise words. Hope this works out!

 

Taking that the apron / inner fenders were bent, from a collision (hence why you’re replacing the core support?) I’d definitely try to pull the inner fenders out more so that they will reach.
If you simply squeeze them together and try and weld, the parts will be under tension and stress. Probably cracking and pulling themselves apart at the weakest link, which may or may not be where you welded. Body panels will probably also not line up well if done like this.
You can weld some hooks to the front of the aprons and pull them out to where they should be with a winch or even a hand winch. Pretty much how they do it in body shops.
Maybe watch a few YouTube’s videos of body shop workers to get some ideas

 

aaqr......

i would measure as best as you can
suppose to use 'tram gauge' (expensive) but you can use tape measure
these are specific measurements from a 2000 Tacoma

 

next (as Sterling stated)
need to perform body pulls on both aprons...with the crushed rad core totally removed
here are some basic(cheap) manual bodywork tools that you would def need
if you got a tree or post avail that will def help with use of the come along

 

also
have seen bodymen have dozens of these type of vise grips
like 3 milk crates full of them
they use them to clamp the panel in place before tacking in the panel

 

must be noted
that AM inner structure parts(on the whole) are notorious for not fitting correctly
i mean can be can be done but lil more work needed to cut/fit/trim
GL!

 

Thanks, Sterling & ControlCar. This is exactly the kind of info I needed!

 

NP man
Keep everyone posted on progress plz!

btw……

would love to see this vehicle:
I’m guessing Oldsmobile

 

Not sure whose it is or what it is but I'll letcha know next time!