Rear end bodywork

[patnode]

Attached a few photos of some minor damage to the rear trunk panel on my 76 2002 that I would like to attempt to fix on my own. The car was rear ended by my tacoma (pop started, foot slipped off clutch) so the brunt of the force was tekn by the trunk lid.

Installed a new trunk lid, but as I expected the rear trunk panel is pushed in about an inch off the new trunk lid bracket.

My primary question is can the rear trunk panel be pulled out, banged out, or does it need to be cut out and a new panel re-welded in? How do I determine the appropriate course of action?

Thanks in advance...

[dubois]

My primary question is can the rear trunk panel be pulled out, YES banged out YES, or does it need to be cut out and a new panel re-welded in? NO How do I determine the appropriate course of action?

Repair VS Replace that is the question we are faced with everyday (I own a bodyshop). For DIY's it is tricky, as the skill / time / resources / tools are unknown. The question is what level of repair would you be happy with?, do you have access to a replacement panel? Are you good at welding? Are you good at bodywork? What tools do you have? Have you done this before?

If this came to the shop, I would ask my best bodyperson: can you straighten it? The answer will almost be yes, then I have to figure out how much time, I'd say a couple days, and he would have to shrink the metal (it is already stretched and you will get the 12 oz can effect), then weight that with the availabilty of a new or replacement panel - going that route the repair time (a day) and results are more predictable, but the cost is higher and the quarters will have to be blended, which is a moot point since you are replacing the lid anyway.

Sorry for the long answer, but it is never that simple, start pounding on it, remember you have to pull it first (I think you already did that), and the proper way is to pull last first.

Thanks in advance...

you are welcome

[ArdenK]

Hi,

As Dubois mentioned, yes it can be repaired but If you never did this sort of thing it will be Very challenging. The damage doesn't look that bad, I would go the repair route because replacing the panel can lead to other problems in the future if not done correctly.

1. Get the rear panel aligned. Pulling is the best method for this, using a 20 lb sledge is possible but if not done correctly, using long blocks of wood to distribute the force, will cause more damage.

2. Use an assortment of hammers and dollies to work out the dents and straighten the panel.

3. Shrinking the stretched areas, this requires skill as to not over shrink.

4. Finishing, most people use a little body plastic, for this. I have seen metal finishing done but it doesn't come cheap, it's an art form imho.

Research "Hammer and Dolly" work using google and youtube to get an idea of what needs to be done to repair your panel.

hth

Good Luck!

[TobyB]

Also, don't discount the value of a dead blow hammer.

In the 2- 5 pound range. heh.

Don't pound on the displaced emtal itself, concentrate on where

the actual bends are- at the edges of the damage, and in the center.

It's hard to see from the pics, but, Dubois might be a bit pessimistic

on the stretch/shrink problem- the rear panel distorts a LOT before

there's enough force to stretch something enough that you can't

move the little bit of extra metal into the fold at the bumper...

Get some books. There's a good site on this sort of thing that others have

mentioned, and may do so again... I don't remember, I learned this stuff

before there were internets.

Above all, go slowly. A framing hammer and too much force will ruin the

panel much worse than your pickup did.

Oh, and if there's distortion in either fender at the wheelwell,

take it to someone with a frame rack. That's a much bigger problem

t

[Tommy]

I agree with others. It can be straightened and for a pro it doesn't even look too bad. However since you're asking you probably don't have much experience. I don't either but I have tried couple of similar tasks. I can tell you it's very, VERY difficult and if you don't have anyone experienced telling you what to do you will not get good result. Replacing the panel would be quite easy with even little bodywork experience.

Tommy