Cowling damage fix or replace...Pics

[Wagoncrzy]

I'm having a little trouble finding parts to repair the wag especially the damage to the Cowl....Crazy_Jeepman commented that it was an integral part of the body. Please check out the photo's and tell me what you would do......This is not a trail rig, but a semi resto, family truckster, to the lake Grand Canyon, maybe a light trail or two while camping. If there are any experienced body men out there please add your two cents.

COWL DAMAGE
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x160/Wagoncrzy/ACCIDENT/COWLDAMAGE.jpg

INNER FENDER WILL BE REPLACED AND HOOD HINGE
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x160/Wagoncrzy/ACCIDENT/INNERFENDERDAMAGE.jpg

REPLACE FENDER
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x160/Wagoncrzy/ACCIDENT/FENDERCOWLHINGEDAMAGE.jpg

REPLACE RADIATOR SUPPORT AND GRILL / HEADLIGHT SUPPORT
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x160/Wagoncrzy/ACCIDENT/RADIATORSUPPORTANDGRILLSUPPORT.jpg

I'll also be replacing the folowing....
Bumper& bracket, Headlight bucket and trim, Grill/ grill support,Radiator/trans cooler,Hood,and Windshield

[Dmntxn77]

Thats an easy one... Dont fix it at all...

Take it to a body shop, let them fix it the RIGHT way, and drag your neighbors @ss to court to pay for it...

[goldhammer]

Fixable on the cowl. Weld a tab on the crease and pull up , out and forward. The stud (nail ) gun can be used to work out the rest of it after the edge of the cowl is back in position. Also need to put a clamp on the pinchweld and pull back into position.

[YellowJeep]

Fixable on the cowl. Weld a tab on the crease and pull up , out and forward. The stud (nail ) gun can be used to work out the rest of it after the edge of the cowl is back in position. Also need to put a clamp on the pinchweld and pull back into position.

X2 what he said.
The horsecollar/radiator support and inner fenderwell are junk unless you are really cheap and or really handy with panel work. They are cheap and easy to find tho.

[fulsizjeep]

Thats an easy one... Dont fix it at all...

Take it to a body shop, let them fix it the RIGHT way, and drag your neighbors @ss to court to pay for it...

I am inclined to agree with Robert on this...

[OBX-AUTOMOTIVE]

YOU COULD PULL THAT COWL AT HOME WITH A PULL DOZER IF YOU HAD A GARAGE AND A DOZER :rolleyes: ,YOU WOULD SAVE $$$$$ FROM STICKING ON A FRAME MACHINE AT A BODY/SHOP. I DON'T AGREE WITH HAMMER ALLLLL THE TIME ABOUT BODY WORK:p :p ......BUT, HE'S RIGHT YOU CAN SAVE IT....BUT MY GUESS IS YOU CAN'T DO IT YOURSELF. HARD TO TELL BY THE PICKS BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT ALLLLSO HAS A LITTLE KINK IN THE CORNER BY THE WINDSHILD...THAT FS TOOK A GOOD HIT FROM WHAT I CAN SEEEEE! :( :) ..........

[Wagoncrzy]

Guys Guys ya got me alll wrong:) .......He's paying for it (hopefully:rolleyes: ) I'm getting all the parts together..... I would much rather go round and pick out the cherry's than have him go and get a grill from a junk yard that might be just passable. I was just trying to figure out..... if I should find a cowl to replace that one.....I didn't know if a body shop could fix that....without filling it with bondo. That is definitely not what i want. I'm gathering up the parts before taking it to a body shop thats all.
Thanks jim

[addicted]

A good body man can fix it with very little filler for the small imperfections left over.

[goldhammer]

Ask around in your area for shop recommendations, and have that shop come out and write you a sheet. I would figure around 12 hours on the cowl, firewall, and hinge area, plus the paint time. You are going to have some filler on it no matter if it is repaired or replaced. The old school of metal finishing is all but long gone. But 1/8 inch is acceptable, book generally says up to 1/4 inch fill.

[FSJ Guy]

You will probably have to have that cab corner pulled, too. Does your passenger side door bind???

Did you call the police like we told you to???? :D

[azwagoneer80]

A good body man can fix it with very little filler for the small imperfections left over.
X2 I worked at a dealer with a bodyshop a while back. They had a Lincoln town car there that was hit hard near the left tail lamp. I figured they would have to hang a quarter panel on it. The guy welded a tab on it, hooked it up to a frame rack and pulled it srtaight. He hardly used any filler at all, just to get the minor inperfections out of it. I think the cowl can be saved for sure.
Man she really hit your truck hard!