Dented quarter panel

[debushau]

I am new to the FJ60 world and have enjoyed the wealth of knowledge shared on this board.

My FJ60 is a decent condition with the exception of a few body dents and an exhaust leak.

One of the dents is a nicely dented rear lower quarter panel (12 inches long at least). Since this must be a common occurrence, what's the standard process for repair? Slide hammer to rough it out and some bondo? Cut it out and weld in a new piece? Pay someone to do it?

The panel looks rust free. I have not tried body work before but have collected a few body hammer and dollies in antipication of the day.

thanks,
Shane

 

[Tinker]

If you have a local junior college, enroll in an auto body course. One semester should be enough to repair your quarter panel. Everyone rushes for the paint booth the last few classes, so you'd do well to hump in the beginning to beat them.

Pull rods are old school. Spitznagels showed up 20+ years ago to weld "nails" onto the dented section so you could pull them out with a slide hammer without drilling holes.

 

[vtcruiser60]

Before you get too crazy, just open up the interior panel of the rear quarter panel. You might have a good shot at tapping out much of the dent from the inside. I suppose if the dent is too low or near to the EVAP system it could be problematic.

Good luck and welcome to the board.

 

[nuclearlemon]

actually, i'd think lower would be easier. i know that because of bracing, higher up is a beeeatch

 

[debushau]

The quarter panel is dented along the body line on the lower part, pushed in an inch or so. The inner quarter panel prevents it from being pushed out the easy way.

I'd like to take one of those courses but I haven't found a place that does it on the weekends. I was thinking about one of those DVD's from Auto Restorer magazine.

The stud welder is a good idea. I've seen them in Eastwood, that certainly saves on welding in holes. They also seem to be able to do a little shrinking.

I might just get a junk fender and practise on it a little before attempting the quarter panel.