Originally Posted by greenmeanie
Nick,
That rear cross member is repairable if it is only the rear outrigger piece that is bent. My friend with a Dodge Dakota decided to modify the rear end of my 71 IIa with similar results. Unfortunately for him my hi-lift was in the way so I had some panel damage and he trashed every panel in the front rh corner of his truck:) Teaches him why mobiles and trucks are a bad thing.
My solution was to take the truck down to the local power transmission lines and string her up between two pylons (Serious big concrete things) using my recovery gear. I was able to hook a shackle through the bent end of the x member and then used the hi-lift to pull her straight. Take a straight edge with you to determine when you've got it back into position. This would be a lot better than cutting an welding that pretty galvy chassis you've got there.
Of course, as everyone here in my area replaces their shiny bimmers every two years I got a lot of funny looks from people driving by. I felt I really should complete their image of an oily, hairy, knuckledragger by taking the starting handle out and beating the truck with it but they would have probably called the police then.
Oh yeah, that's some serious ironmongery you've got holding the front of the truck together.
Cheers
Gregor.