Need opinions on body work...

[moiremusic]

I'm going to check out an FJ60 this weekend a few hours from where I live. I've seen a handful of pictures of this rig, and it's in pretty good cosmetic condition except for the left rear fender. I've never had any serious body work done, so I have no idea what kind of repair cost I'm looking at. Here's the damage (sorry, only photo I have):

Looks like the bumper is bent, the rear body is crunched, and there may even be a bow in the door, not sure. Anyone know what kind of repair cost I'm looking at here? A paint job down the line is already expected, so I'm just wondering about the body work.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

not much going on in that lower corner, that should be an easy fix. Get a new bumper, the stock ones bend easily. You could probably buy a cut out from someone here parting out a 60, give the cut out to the body shop...

 

[Tvaldriz]

As a negotiating point, figure the cost of an OEM bumper and about
3-4 hours of local body shop labor rate.

Honestly, if it were mine, I'd find a good used OEM bumper off the
board (about $100+shipping) and do the repair yourself.

If you plan to wheel it, I'd try to find a heavy duty bumper off the
board that has recovery points and not worry about the body damage.

 

[moiremusic]

Thanks fellas. It'll go off-road only enough for some camping, no rock-crawling. But it will be a daily driver, so I figure it's worth the 3-4 hours of body work you guys have estimated. I'm comfortable replacing the bumper myself, thanks for the advice about finding the used OEM.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

these are out of a import car crash estimating guide from 1986.. so the part prices are way off..

they show how a shop estimates repairing. The pic showing replacing that rear panel is extreme.. good luck finding a new panel, and that would be EXTREME overkill to do that repair for the damage on your cruiser.

 

[moiremusic]

Thanks, that's good information. Were you saying that the 3-4 hours of body shop work would take care of the mangled rear panel?

 

[beaufort-fj60]

i didn't say that.. take it to a few good shops and get estimates..

 

[5280Hawk]

You can save yourself $ if you can get a clean Tailgate from a Junk yard.

I got one for $100. It was off an 89' FJ62 and Bolted right up to my 83' 60.

 

[Norris Marshak]

Newbie/rookie here. I'd go with salvage yard parts. Frequently, what makes life easier for them will make life easier for you. I found they like to torch the bumper and mounts from the frame. Frankly, they like to cut whatever they can. But more importantly, I think you need to check the integrity of the frame, particularly the rear third to half. I have had an FJ60 since new, pretty much babied it, driven it to the mall amd supermarket, but the rear section of the frame I've referred to turned to swiss cheese. I was fortunate to find a skilled welder with a lift who made things "very right." Good luck.

 

[moiremusic]

i didn't say that.. take it to a few good shops and get estimates..

Oh, sorry... I guess that question was for Tvaldriz. Unfortunately, since I don't own the car yet, I don't have the luxury of taking it to any body shops. Just trying to get an idea of what it wuld take to fix that crunched rear panel.