Need help on bed damage 1988

[WolverineCub]

Hello,

 

Last year I spent 7 months restoring my 1988 Jeep Comanche. I used many ideas from this forum. I am still working on it.

 

One thing that needed attention was a broken weld holding the bumper on. I temporarily had 3/8” tye wraps holding it in place.

 

Two weeks ago I ran into black ice and lost control. The Jeep went from side to side on the highway. It swerve to the passenger side and hit a small pole that pulled the bumper off. The bumper is scrap and the bed body in the rear now needs body work.

 

The only thing I think would work is cutting the damage area out and welding the back with the same from my 1986 Comanche I have in the Yard.

 

Ideas?

 

I love my Jeep Comanche 

 

Thank You

 

 

[Pete M]

that sucks.   salt isn't the only thing about winter that ruins MJs.  

 

how good are your bodywork skills?

[WolverineCub]

I didn’t do the Body. I removed all the paint and welded in metal. I would need this done and painted Colorado Red. I don’t think it can be properly done without using the ends from my 1986. The 1986 is in my Yard. I took much off of it for this one including the tail gate.

 

 

[Pete M]

to be perfect?  yeah, you'll probably need a new corner down there.   

 

Honestly, if it was me I'd have a body shop pound it out as close as they could, then bondo/paint the affected area, then buy a strong aftermarket bumper that wraps around and both hides and protects the lower corners. 

[WolverineCub]

31 minutes ago, Pete M said:

to be perfect?  yeah, you'll probably need a new corner down there.   

 

Honestly, if it was me I'd have a body shop pound it out as close as they could, then bondo/paint the affected area, then buy a strong aftermarket bumper that wraps around and both hides and protects the lower corners. 

 

Maybe a body guy can pull it out. 

 

Has as anyone done this area before?

 

Thank You

[neohic]

I’m with Pete on this one. I’d get in there with a slide hammer and pit pit what be pulled out and then finish up with a hammer/dolly. Skim coat of bondo to finish.

 

I think the problem you run into with cutting/welding donor sheet metal is going to be trying not to affect the surrounding area with additional warpage from heat. The damage is done, eh? I’d keep the fix as localized as possible. 

[WahooSteeler]

2 hours ago, WolverineCub said:

 

Maybe a body guy can pull it out. 

 

Has as anyone done this area before?

 

Thank You

 

My truck had this same area damaged, although not as bad as yours. Body shop was able to pull 98% of it out. I told them it did not have to be perfect because you can't really see it behind the bumper and once I get it painted it will "disappear" even more. Couldn't tell you what it cost because I didn't take it there just for that repair, it was part of the job when I had them clean up the rockers and a cab corner. 

[AZJeff]

If you want it "perfect" (as in just like it left the factory), it CAN be done by a body shop.  Based on the pictures you provided, those folded areas of the corner could be cut apart, straightened, and then rewelded back into the original shape. 

 

Of course, this type of work requires a HIGHLY skilled sheet metal guy who can use heat, slide hammers, and other techniques that tend to be expensive.  (Think the kind of repairs that are done when classic cars get body damage.)

 

If you are willing to fork out the bucks, you will need to search for a shop with those kind of skills.  Your average collision repair joint won't generally have employees with those skills, but you never can tell.   Check around and find the best body shops in your area, and then interview the guys who will do the work to see if they have the skillset you are looking for.

[kb3uet]

They make big hammers and dolly blocks for a reason.  Those corners are not that bad to fix just take some time and work the metal, it's metal, stretch shrink cut and weld, if need be (lol).  They really are not that hard to do plenty of metal to work with to get it close so you can put just a little bit of mud in there and make it straight.  This might actually be a decent project if you were interested in learning body work.  With a little guidance it can be done! Plus the bumper will hide most of it just in case its not perfect.

[WolverineCub]

Thanks everyone. I will look for a body man that can do it. 

[phatton]

The right side does not look too bad and could be pounded out without too much trouble.  The Left side is a little worse.  I would try to pound it out also, but welding in a patch from your 86 would be pretty easy if you have a Mig welder.  Where are you located?

[WolverineCub]

7 minutes ago, phatton said:

The right side does not look too bad and could be pounded out without too much trouble.  The Left side is a little worse.  I would try to pound it out also, but welding in a patch from your 86 would be pretty easy if you have a Mig welder.  Where are you located?

 

I put grease on the bare metal. Looking closer at it, I think it can be fixed in the Spring and like I mentioned, I have a 1986 in the Yard. I live in Montreal, Quebec, the Cold Country.