Driving on the street to street truck

[89 MJ]

I’m confident you could fix it. Glad you were alright. 

[eaglescout526]

Dammit!! 

 

I hate people who value their own lives and neglect those around them. Sorry man....glad youre ok, but seeing the 21slot being toast makes me want to switch mine out just to save them

[Salvagedcircuit]

Glad you are alright! Plastic welding can do magic. If you save all the bits, you can probably fix it up close to new. Sucks though

[70barracuda]

I have to look over it today and I'm gonna have insurance look it over to see if I'll get anything. I know they are probably going to total it out unfortunately but I'll see. 

 

Good thing is atleast I can buy a whole front end new and it still runs and drives so I think the drivetrain is okay. New radiator I know for sure. 

[Pete M]

if the frame is ok, don't let them total it.  it's your truck and you can negotiate to keep it out of the scrap pile.  

[70barracuda]

Well insurance has paid out, so the rebuild begins. They totaled it out and gave what I thought was a fair amount so I bought it back and she will live again. Tore the entire front end off today and I think I'll be able to get it all straight again. 

 

[Comanche SS]

Bright side...Definitely looks fixable. Shame it has a title mark now, but not the end of the world. There are also ways to amend that.

If you can't find a good front section near you (for a cut and replace) I have access to a parts XJ with a good front frame section.

Will be glad to see this one on the road again, maybe use some of the funds for some upgrades! (I did when I rebuilt my truck that got totaled in March)

[70barracuda]

Well i was able to get the front end back into shape. More than I thought I was going to get it. Bought a harbor freight body work hydraulic press. Worked amazing.

I got some steel plate I'm going to weld up to strengthen it too. 

 

[eaglescout526]

Hell yes!! Good progress!

[89 MJ]

Great work!

[Limeyjeeper]

So glad this build will get to live again!!

[70barracuda]

Hit the steering wheel hard enough I bent it pretty good so I wanted to get a new column and well I have to rebuild it from scratch.  

[A-man930]

9 hours ago, 70barracuda said:

Hit the steering wheel hard enough I bent it pretty good so I wanted to get a new column and well I have to rebuild it from scratch.  

If you didn't already know, these are a treat.  

I recall the "Jazzman" name... very helpful document regarding Saginaw columns.  

[Salvagedcircuit]

On 12/31/2024 at 7:39 PM, 70barracuda said:

Well i was able to get the front end back into shape. More than I thought I was going to get it. Bought a harbor freight body work hydraulic press. Worked amazing.

I got some steel plate I'm going to weld up to strengthen it too. 

 

Heck yeah, that looks great! I had a dent in my front member too (the previous owner did not disclose the tree stump he had a disagreement with). I ended up using a chain-fall, eye hooks, ratchet straps and a few hammers to straighten mine. Oh and a big 'ol 15ton lathe was used as the anchor point.

[70barracuda]

On 1/7/2025 at 12:55 AM, Salvagedcircuit said:

Heck yeah, that looks great! I had a dent in my front member too (the previous owner did not disclose the tree stump he had a disagreement with). I ended up using a chain-fall, eye hooks, ratchet straps and a few hammers to straighten mine. Oh and a big 'ol 15ton lathe was used as the anchor point.

My original plan was to pull it all out like that with something to anchor but that hydraulic ram worked like a charm. 

[70barracuda]

@OffGridResearchcame through big time. Two of the best parts of the jeep are crossed off the list now. Just need some warmer weather so I can work on this thing. 

[Salvagedcircuit]

1 hour ago, 70barracuda said:

@OffGridResearchcame through big time. Two of the best parts of the jeep are crossed off the list now. Just need some warmer weather so I can work on this thing. 

Aww yea

You have chosen correctly

[OffGridResearch]

4 hours ago, 70barracuda said:

@OffGridResearchcame through big time. Two of the best parts of the jeep are crossed off the list now. Just need some warmer weather so I can work on this thing. 

Always got your back!

[70barracuda]

More greatness. NOS bug shield still in the box. 

 

[89 MJ]

And it’s even the right color!

[Eagle_SX4]

1 hour ago, 70barracuda said:

More greatness. NOS bug shield still in the box. 

 

Looks good. How does that install? Does it attach to the header panel or the hood?

[70barracuda]

31 minutes ago, Eagle_SX4 said:

Looks good. How does that install? Does it attach to the header panel or the hood?

It's got these funky brackets that bolt to the header panel and come out between the stainless trim and grill. 2 out of 3 got pretty crushed in the accident so I have to try make some. 

[eaglescout526]

57 minutes ago, Eagle_SX4 said:

Looks good. How does that install? Does it attach to the header panel or the hood?

 

So it goes under the top trim of the header with these brackets. Pretty neat and clean actually. 

[89 MJ]

1 hour ago, Eagle_SX4 said:

Looks good. How does that install? Does it attach to the header panel or the hood?

They’re bent, but this truck had them. They might be hard to see though. 

[70barracuda]

More progress