Body Damage Fixed (somewhat)

[NC Rover]

So i found a guy in town that does a lot of soda blasting but did body work for 30 years...including working with and welding aluminum. Anyway, he bent out the mangled fender and pulled the cross-member straight. Also got the cage around the back taillight straight. He spent the better part of sunday working on it. Cost me $100 which I thought was not too bad. I was just tired of people looking around the rover saying "hey this is a really nice rov.....OUUUU! Did you back into something?!"

Its far from perfect but I just wanted it somewhat straight and looking similiar to the other side.

He didn't want to go any further as he was afraid the aluminum would be weak. He told me he could spend a lot more time doing the proper body work, etc and prep it to paint down the road if I want but this would hold me over till I decided what I wanted to do.

Before....



After.....

[Bostonian1976]

looks really good!

I think that seems to be the most common area to "mush" on a Rover...

[KevinNY]

Good repair, now lets see some pics of that rear gas tank mounting!

[O'Brien]

so can you give us the blow by blow (ha!) of what he did to get this back to normal? i've got a similar crunch, and im looking for some firsthand accounts of what was used/done. thanks! and it looks A LOT better

[jp-]

"hey this is a really nice rov.....OUUUU! Did you back into something?!"

To which you reply:

"Actually, I was caught between two 18 wheelers in a multi car pileup. Both 18 wheelers were totaled. I got a bent rear fender."

[leafsprung]

I was actually rear ended by a peterbuilt in a 68. It caused similar damage (only worse) but also munched the roof etc. It punctured the rad on the semi and bent the bumper of the semi back into the wheel. They had to tow it and I drove home.

PS: Making a flat panel flat is very difficult with that damage Especially in situ. Replace the panel or live with the waves.

[Jim-ME]

That repair is very good and if you repaint it, it should look great. I feel that 35+ year old vehicles should not look brand new. They have earned their scars and dings. I know mine will never have every ding removed. I would be more than satisfied if it were all one color.
Jim

[4flattires]

Saweeet!

A very nice improvement! Now...about that license plate heading.... :-)

Slightly off topic. Do you run a tailgate as well as the SW door?

Jeff

[NC Rover]

so can you give us the blow by blow (ha!) of what he did to get this back to normal? i've got a similar crunch, and im looking for some firsthand accounts of what was used/done. thanks! and it looks A LOT better

I'll definitly try to figure out what exactly he did. I thought it turned out really good considering how bad it was dented in.

That repair is very good and if you repaint it, it should look great. I feel that 35+ year old vehicles should not look brand new. They have earned their scars and dings. I know mine will never have every ding removed. I would be more than satisfied if it were all one color.
Jim

I completely agree with you on this. I like the fact that it had dings and scratches....a few colors are not the same....feels well worn in.

A very nice improvement! Now...about that license plate heading.... :-)

Slightly off topic. Do you run a tailgate as well as the SW door?

Jeff

I do have the Euro Hard Top with the glass that comes around the back of the seats. The previous owner also gave me the tailgate that drops down as well as a rainfly to cover the bed area when the short top is on.

Good repair, now lets see some pics of that rear gas tank mounting!

I'll work on getting some good pics for you soon!

[ccmohan]

Try corner protectors

I had the same type damage - straightened it as much as possible then added some diamond plate aluminum corners. Painted them the same color as the body and I was done!

My 2ct's

chris

[NC Rover]

I had the same type damage - straightened it as much as possible then added some diamond plate aluminum corners. Painted them the same color as the body and I was done!

My 2ct's

chris

Got any pictures you can post?

[Tim Smith]

Is your truck wearing wheel spacers? It looks good and I wonder what your turning radius is like with them.



Oh yeah, and the repair looks great! I wouldn't do any more to it if it were my truck.

[KevinNY]

NC rover,

I have a tie rod for you.

[Tim Smith]

Is your truck wearing wheel spacers? It looks good and I wonder what your turning radius is like with them.



Oh yeah, and the repair looks great! I wouldn't do any more to it if it were my truck.

Doh! I just realized that you are a coil over.

Looking good any way!

[NC Rover]

Doh! I just realized that you are a coil over.

Looking good any way!

Hey Tim. Yeah the axles and hubs are from a Defender 90. No spacers. Sorry!