I need body help


97~Ranger

97~Ranger

10+ Year Member

U.S. Military - Active
Joined
Nov 29, 2010
Messages
9
Points
1,501
City
Cheyenne, Wy
Vehicle Year
1997
Transmission
Automatic
So I hit a deer a couple of weeks ago and I think I need a new front clip for my 97 XLT 2.3L 2WD auto.... here is wha it looks like now... any suggestions/help?
I need body help

I need body help
 
97~Ranger said:
So I hit a deer a couple of weeks ago and I think I need a new front clip for my 97 XLT 2.3L 2WD auto.... here is wha it looks like now... any suggestions/help?
I need body help

I need body help
Click to expand...

Some bondo and krylon should get it back to stock in no time. Don't forget a huge can of elbow grease.


You also might want to check the body lines and if everything that's left still lines up like it used to, you could probably just replace the front trim and be good.
 
The front cross part in front of the radiator is bent pretty bad, goes back about 6in or so, and the fenders are tweaked.
 
Ouch. I see that now... everything else in the 2nd pic looked good.
 
Unfortunately I think the whole engine bay is tac welded to that piece.
 
get a body puller, and pull it back out, then just get the items you need to fix it back, if the fenders are in a ok shape, they should do, unless you can get a good set cheap.

as long as the Rad and engine is ok, then every thing else is ok, just a few body panels.

Robert
 
Need a new rad, A/C condenser as well as misc body parts
 
you can buy a core support off LMC truck and weld it in, as long as the side sheet metal is still good.
 
You can put a piece of four by four across the top of the bulkhead and use a high lift jack to straighten out the core support. You'd be surprised how well it works, I've done it a few times.
 
The core support should be ale to be pulled out. Like stated above a 4x4 and a porta power or just hook the tractor to it and wrap a strap around the 4x4 and give it a tug.
 
97~Ranger said:
The front cross part in front of the radiator is bent pretty bad, goes back about 6in or so, and the fenders are tweaked.
Click to expand...

when i rear ended someone with a spare tire on the back, it pushed mine back about 4 inches. trust me, the easiest thing to do there is take a chain and put it where you need to be straightened, and put the other end around a tree.

then back it out till its pretty straight. much easier than taking it off. and remember take your time and be easy with it.
 
you could also use a tree and a come-along, or borrow a slide hammer, with a c hook on it, and give it a few wackes, no need to buy a new rad core, and then take the time to drill out the welds and then weld the new one in, and also have it painted white.


Robert
 
I straightened worse than that in a couple hours with a selection of hammers and a skid loader. Used a length of chain with a couple different selections of hooks and for some spots I drilled a 1/2" hole, stuck a grade 8 through the chain, through the hole, and through a couple washers before putting a nut on it. Worked like a charm.

You'll probably need a new header panel (the piece that holds the headlights and such) and a new bumper along with everything else.
 
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