Rear Quarter Panel Replacement Update

[C6H12O6]

Well, I should have my rig back tomorrow. The final total was a shade over $7,000. I'm still convinced this could have been fixed without replacing the panel, but I guess body shop guys have families to feed too.

I had to send the truck back into the body shop to fix a couple things, but the body work looks great. I even got a few scratches fixed as part of the paint-blending process. Nice consolation for 5+ weeks without the Cruiser.

I'm posting these pics in tech in case anybody wants to see the bumper without end caps. I see a couple bumper fab threads, so it might be good to see what's under the worthless plastic end caps.

The shop ended up replacing the DS rear fender flare and mudflap (spares are cool) as well as removing, and leaving off, the roof rack. There was only a slight hint of rust under one of the feet, but I'll deal with that later. Otherwise, things look pretty good.

Last remotely tech question:
The rear upper gate doesn't seem to lift as well as it did under the power of the pneumatic lifts. I know these aren't cheap, as lift rods go, but it seems awfully coincedental that they worked fine before they were removed and now I have to push the gate up the last foot or so. Anything specific to look for as far as alignment of the gate goes?

 

[Tools R Us]

It could have been fixed, yes, but some of the art needed is no longer practiced at most body shops, like metal shrinking. Most of the bodymen now days are panel changers and the labor time to repair may have been more than just changing the panel. That bill seems high, when brother Rob rolled his '97 the quote from the dealer was $13K that included new roof, left doors and rear quarter panel, body work on the L. fender and hood then a bunch of "small" stuff like the headliner $1200, mirror, flares, bumper ends, etc., and painting everything but the right side. It got totaled and he sold it to brother Brian who is repairing it, replacing no sheet metal.

 

[C6H12O6]

Body work is like some sort of black art. Not really magic, but it sure seems so when you see somebody who is really good.

I thought the $7K was high too, but you gotta love insurance companies. I wonder if the bill would have been the same if I walked in off the street and didn't have insurance?

 

[MoJ]

$7k, ouch. I remember you posting pics when that happened but can't remember how you did it. Wheeling?

 

[PHAEDRUS]

Sounds abouyt right at 7k.
Could you have repaired that 1/4 panel, yeah sure, but the best repair from what I can see in those pictures was to replace it. As far as the lifters go, you can hit up your insurance company for those but I would tell you to get stuffed, but hey I am just that way.
Dave

 

[C6H12O6]

$7k, ouch. I remember you posting pics when that happened but can't remember how you did it. Wheeling?

Not wheeling, unfortunately. I backed into a tree. I've only been able to get this thing off road three times, and limited at that. I'm looking forward to sliders in the near future and a real rear bumper this winter. Fingers crossed. I want to get some armor on this thing before I bang it up in another freak accident. So far, I've been more dangerous driving around town than offroad.

I just picked the rig up tonight, and it looks fine. The rear gate lines up fine now, and the window was re-done. They also fixed the paint and the door switch that wasn't working. The pneumatic lifts in the back are still a little weak, but in feeling the lifts, I think they're just getting old. 10 years, go figure. Overall, I'm a pretty happy camper. If the window actually seals, we're in good shape.

I've got a few PM fluid changes to do this weekend, then I need to get this thing out in the woods!