So I put a nice big dent on the side bed behind the passenger on my 86 F250 and I was wondering what the best method to remove it would be. Since I can reach behind it I'm thinking about putting a section of 2x4 across where the dent is on the back side and hit it with a rubber mallet. Would that be preferred over drilling two holes in the dent and pulling it out with some line?

Thanks for any help or advice.

 

LosOsos,


That's a pretty good sized dent; you wont like the result of using a 2x4 and a hammer.
If you want quick and easy, I'd look for a used bed of the same color in the salvage yard. You may as well start looking because you need the trim piece that's smashed in the picture.
You could also go online and get some auto body tools and teach yourself some bodywork this Fall. I would never drill holes into the body to pull a dent. Look at the welded stud dent pullers. If you are going to drive it while you work on this dent, make sure you cover any bare metal with good self etching primer.


Do some reading on the forum before you start tearing into it; you'll save yourself a lot of frustration. :-)

 

That is a difficult dent even for a professional .

 

Beyond my skill set however that may be something a seasoned PDR guy could work on. Hard to tell by the picture so I can't say for sure. But some work with some glue tabs and a slide hammer a knockdown and a hammer you might be surprised at the results.

The downside is the metal on this old of a truck generally don't lend themselves to PDR techniques as well as newer cars.

Whatever you don't just go to work on it with a 2x4. You may end up with more damage than you currently have.

 

If you work your dent out from the back side which you can get to a lot of it, the majority of the dent will come back out. BUT,and this is a big BUT,when metal goes in (accident caused) crease ,ridges,folds, STRETCHING all occur as a ripple effect. Those are the tougher ones to get back out before a person starts the plastic /(bondo) work.All of those creases,little dents,etc., are holding now with renewed strength. The bottom line... the dent doesn't care how you get it back out to the approx. shape; use a jack on a block of wood,beat a 2x4 with a big hammer,a bar with leverage, dent pullers,etc,etc,but the damage will only be partially repaired and sometimes when metal is stretched that much like this one, it will look worse as only the NOW weakest portions will just POP back out.That is a relatively routine repair in my shop but certainly not a pops right back out accident. Most shops would replace the entire panel as not many repair anymore. Good luck! Gary