Bent frame
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New User
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Burghill, Ohio
Bent frame
My son hit a tree yesterday resulting in this damage...
The frame looks bent at the arrow...
In your opinion can we either beat this frame back, thru the use of heat and force? Cut this piece off and replace it with channel or even square tube? or should I look for another frame? Other than the frame, it looks like the bumper, hood and grille. No engine damage. What's your opinion?
The frame looks bent at the arrow...
In your opinion can we either beat this frame back, thru the use of heat and force? Cut this piece off and replace it with channel or even square tube? or should I look for another frame? Other than the frame, it looks like the bumper, hood and grille. No engine damage. What's your opinion?
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: southwest michigan
I suppose it depends on how badly the frame is bent. The other thing is that, whenever I have contact that bad, I think it is wise to put it on a frame machine to make sure the rest of the frame isn't tweaked.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Cleveland, TN
X2 better safe than sorry...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 373
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From: Hudson Valley, NY
if it's drivable (may need to tweak front bumper w/ a jack (or remove it)) .. have a body shop give you an estimate (usually free) and see (like others have said) if the rest of the frame hasn't been twisted .. also check that the hit it took wasn't enough to mis-align the axles .. I always have to laugh when I see a truck going down the road off axis, kinda slanted like (you know .. when going straight, the back doesn't track in the same line as the front) .. make sure the radiator is OK before driving it ..
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Burghill, Ohio
Thanks guys. I think I found a 91 truck for 500 it has the same engine (doesn't run), automatic transmission, and is only 2wd. I have to research it more, but I think I can swap everything onto this frame. Since he is only 16 I figure this is a great learning experience (he bought the original truck and will end up paying for the other one) and he'll know this truck inside out and will be able to fix most everything on it. Plus, I think he'll appreciate it more and the truck will really be his baby. It will be quite an undertaking but in the end well worth it. I hope. lol.
With the left over components I can either scrap them or sell them. Might end up re-cooping the cost of the other truck.
With the left over components I can either scrap them or sell them. Might end up re-cooping the cost of the other truck.
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From: lost in WI
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Thanks guys. I think I found a 91 truck for 500 it has the same engine (doesn't run), automatic transmission, and is only 2wd. I have to research it more, but I think I can swap everything onto this frame. Since he is only 16 I figure this is a great learning experience (he bought the original truck and will end up paying for the other one) and he'll know this truck inside out and will be able to fix most everything on it. Plus, I think he'll appreciate it more and the truck will really be his baby. It will be quite an undertaking but in the end well worth it. I hope. lol.
With the left over components I can either scrap them or sell them. Might end up re-cooping the cost of the other truck.
With the left over components I can either scrap them or sell them. Might end up re-cooping the cost of the other truck.
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From: Hudson Valley, NY
Was some goods times many years ago, working with and learning from my Dad .. good skills learned that I use all the time .. but the funny things like hearing dad go O'F*c*, then the raised brow and tilted look, checking to see if I heard him, even though he yelled it, and both of us smiling, are even more cherished ..
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From: southwest michigan
Oh yeah, in the "Show Off" forum.
I totaled my truck in the way to school in 07, uprooted a full grown apple tree, then broke limbs from the 2nd, and the 3rd one finally stopped me. That was one of the worst feelings when I got out and looked at the wreckage..
I totaled my truck in the way to school in 07, uprooted a full grown apple tree, then broke limbs from the 2nd, and the 3rd one finally stopped me. That was one of the worst feelings when I got out and looked at the wreckage..
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Burghill, Ohio
I could only imagine. He bought the truck roughly 3 - 4 weeks ago and got his license this past Friday. We were out to eat and were getting hammered with snow and he and his buddy left about 5 minutes before the rest of the us. I said, make sure you put it in 4 high. He didn't hear me and needless to say, we rolled up to a pick up cocked into a tree. I walked up to him and he was completely upset. Told me the truck wouldn't start. Told him to hop in the car and I hopped into the truck and it turned right over, threw into 4 high and backed right out of the ditch and drove it home. Granted it was only a mile from the house. I was thankful he was ok and we were able to get out of there before any law enforcement decided to show (we live in the boonies, so it would have taken quite a while).
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Texas
I hit a tree this summer. It was really muddy and i started sliding into a ditch while trying to turn around. My friend in the pass. seat was like "tree, Tree, TREEEEE!"(BUMP!!!) It only broke the corner light, and dented the fender behind it a tad.
Im taking it as an excuse to build a huge bumper with light hoops to make sure it doent happen again, and to kinda cover it up.
we all have assumed he was OK. Was he? Looks like it was a pretty decent hit, but nothing real serious. And luckily these truck do a good job or protecting occupants in wrecks.
He'll defiantly learn alot from it. 4x4 might have helped, if he knows how to take advantage of it.
Its all a learning experience.
Im taking it as an excuse to build a huge bumper with light hoops to make sure it doent happen again, and to kinda cover it up.
we all have assumed he was OK. Was he? Looks like it was a pretty decent hit, but nothing real serious. And luckily these truck do a good job or protecting occupants in wrecks.
He'll defiantly learn alot from it. 4x4 might have helped, if he knows how to take advantage of it.
Its all a learning experience.