straighteningfront core support.

[Ryan_289]

Some of you may have seen the pics of my 4runner from last week. I got the bumper and grill off today and pulled the core support back out straight. Some of you with body experience take a look at this and see if it will be ok. There are still a couple of kinks but everything is straight. The hood latch support lines up and the hood matches up with the fenders.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Some of you with body experience take a look at this and see if it will be ok. There are still a couple of kinks but everything is straight. The hood latch support lines up and the hood matches up with the fenders.

I have a few decades of body experience. And we have a saying " The parts don't lie". Meaning, if the parts fit it doesn't matter what the tape measure or specifications say. In your case if you don't mind the "look" of the kinks, and the parts fit, run with it.

 

[Ryan_289]

I have a few decades of body experience. And we have a saying " The parts don't lie". Meaning, if the parts fit it doesn't matter what the tape measure or specifications say. In your case if you don't mind the "look" of the kinks, and the parts fit, run with it.

Good deal. Ive still got to remove the skid plate and get that support straightened out. Ill cut that one off and reweld if I have too. (if I end up with an ARB bumper I think it comes off anyway. The core support isnt really visable so I dont mind if its not perfect.

It wasnt hard to figure out why the bumper bent so easy. I can pick the whole thing up with my pinky!

The only ding I got on a panel was right on the hood. Do you think this could be made "better" by tapping on the back with a rubber mallet? The paint is not cracked.

 

[shootmymime]

The only ding I got on a panel was right on the hood. Do you think this could be made "better" by tapping on the back with a rubber mallet? The paint is not cracked.

tap tap tap-a-roo.

its amazing how metal wants to return to its original shape once you start massaging it.

 

[IBallEngineer]

It wasnt hard to figure out why the bumper bent so easy. I can pick the whole thing up with my pinky!

The only ding I got on a panel was right on the hood. Do you think this could be made "better" by tapping on the back with a rubber mallet? The paint is not cracked.

Yes absolutely, that is where the inner and outer skins come together so you'll actually be hitting the inner, but you can get the body line back to normal. I would have someone hold the hood open at a good angle, and use a block of wood, then hit the wood. This will spread out the force nicely.

The reason the bumper is so light is it is constructed from an alloy, in order to save weight and still be reasonably strong. 5mph tests didn't apply to the runner so it has no reason to be any stronger as far as Toyota is concerned.

:behindsofa:

 

[pattycakes77]

I'd run with it like that too. But just know that if you get hit up front again, that spot is going to be weaker next time around since it's already buckled and kinked. Just an FYI. I know you're trying to save money and keep it on the road. You said you were looking for a beefier off road bumper right? Slap that on there and you won't have any worries about your rad support being the weak point.

 

[Ryan_289]

I ordered parts today. I found the bumper and lower valance for 148.00. I am going to start putting money back for a plate bumper in the near future. I removed the skid pans tonight and got it straight. I'm concerned about the cross brace there. I'm going to give it a go. Any suggestions on straightening this one?

 

[turbo8]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/153968-my-4runner-custom-skid.html

 

[Ryan_289]

Got the skid plate crossmember straightend out today. I think it turned out pretty good. I got lucky on my ac condensor, it bent at the bottom but didnt get into the tubes. I straightend the skid pan up but it may need some more work. There is a gap where the raised pieces match up to the main crossmember. When I unbolted the skid pan some of the bolts were missing and Im not real sure these were bolted up to begin with? There are no broken bolts in the holes? Is the skid pan supposed to fit this far up?

 

[Ryan_289]

Well I got all my aftermarket parts in finally. There is a reason that they are cheaper thats for sure. I had to trim the tabs on the grill to get it to fit in the holes and tweak on the bumper a little bit but I think all my gaps lined out great! I accidently swapped sides with the turn signals but thats an easy fix.


Since I did this without claiming insurance I figured I had $500 to play with. I got the bumper, valence and grill for $222. I ended up getting in on the group buy for a new "real" skid plate and I still ended up with less than my deductable would have been:bravo: Plus the fact that my insurance wont go up!

 

[Jwallace98]

Lucky, I've got to replace the ac component on mine. Was is hard to get the kink out? I also have a twist in my upper part. I wonder if just replacement would be better.

 

[Yoter]

I ended up getting in on the group buy for a new "real" skid plate and I still ended up with less than my deductable would have been:bravo: Plus the fact that my insurance wont go up!

Great job on the repairs, it looks really good!
Where is this group buy for the skids? Is it still open?