1997 Ranger collision repair

[BWR]

The collision I had with my Ranger was maybe not as minor as I had thought. I removed the bumper, grill and header panel and now see that the panel behind that, the one that the radiator is attached to and which bolts to the frame with rubber bushings, is bent. Radiator is not leaking and seems intact but it is canted back touching the fan. I assume that puppy is welded into the body. Is it possible to pull this back out somehow or am I screwed?

 

[Curious Hound]

You are only limited by your imagination and ambition. Even if you post pictures, we may not be able to tell you exactly what you can or can not repair.

I will say, that I have straightened radiator core support on a 94 Honda Accord and a 96-ish Toyota pickup. Both with good success. And I am not a trained body repair guy. Sometimes necessity is our best teacher. Be patient with it. Applying the right pressure, tension or leverage in the right place and quantity is the key. Do a little. Stop and analyze your results. Do a little more. Analyze again. Rinse and repeat as needed. It's not brain surgery - just a little sheet metal bending.

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[dogboy]

A lot of it depends on if the frame is bent.

If it truely is just the core support that is bent, then it would likely be possible to pull it back into position. Would it be correct, probably not. Would it work, probably. The core support, and aprons, are all spot welded to the cab.

Now if the frame is bent also, then that is over most peoples heads. Unless the hit was entirely above the rails, then if it did that much damage to the core support, then my bet is that there is frame damage too.