79 Series, bent chassis, straighten or rebuild?

[jamieslade]

Just wondering if anyone out there could tell me if its worth me straightening my chassis or trying to find a new one.

I had a accident few months back and my chassis got bent 40mm from front to back. aside from the twist and a couple of warped panels the damage was actually quite little. truck still runs fine. no noticeable crab walking and 2 mechanics have checked it over and cant find any damage aside from the obivous.

I live in brisbane and there arent many smash repair shops with big enough equipment to straighten it. i guess im just after any advice people can give me. i love my rig and really dont want to part with it!

 

[roscoFJ73]

Im sure there is someone who has the gear to straighten it.

Is the bend over a long distance,or is it a sharp kink you can see.
I think it would be easier/cheaper to straighten.

I watched my mechanic straighten the front left rail in the engine bay of a troopy with good results using some heat and a hydraulic ram

 

[jb BJ73]

Some truck panel beaters can straighten chassis.

 

[Locked79]

Definitely straighten it. My 79 just came off the autorobot with a bent chassis and now as good as new

 

[hzj79lee]

Any pics of bent 79 series?

 

[inkpot]

Around here it used to be there were several body shops that had frame ad axle straightening equipment. Now days the insurance companies are so afraid of liability issues that they usually total anything with frame damage. So demand has dropped a lot. Probably still a few around, just hare to look really hard. John

 

[OGBeno]

Frames are available brand new with about a 28 week lead time from Toyota.

 

[alberta mac]

Frames are available brand new with about a 28 week lead time from Toyota.

Ok .. now we are all wondering $$$ How Much $$$ ?

 

[OGBeno]

Ok .. now we are all wondering $$$ How Much $$$ ?

$6900 or so list.

I can get them for about $5400

 

[jamieslade]

Definitely straighten it. My 79 just came off the autorobot with a bent chassis and now as good as new

how much did it set you back mate? and did it take them long to do?

 

[Locked79]

how much did it set you back mate? and did it take them long to do?

Don't know the $ figure because it was an insurance job but it was on the machine for about a week

 

[LJjuz]

Most late model vehicles the insurance companys will want a new chassis put under it. But they can definatley be straightened, find a truck panelbeater like others have said or some companys specialise in chassis straightening.. or claim insurance?