my truck after rebuilt front end
02-16-2009, 05:32 PM
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my truck after rebuilt front end
So, i got in a car crash and "totaled" truck as it had estimates of over $5,000 in repair, and the truck was only worth 3k. Here's what it looked like after the crash after some stuff came off:
I decided that it would be cheaper to repair the car ourselves. SO, i drilled out the spot welds and pulled off the bent sheet metal, which was essentially the front radiator supports and the driver side wheelhouse. I also (luckily) sheered off the mount for the bumper and radiator supports (because its easier welding it back on than cutting it off or bending it back).
With all the sheet metal off:
Once everything was off, i replaced all the belts, and installed a new distributor (yes the full one):
Belts and new water pump were real easy to replace since everything was already off...
After i put the distributor on and had the car timed right, it was able to start (without a AMF) and run for at least 10 seconds. This was really my point of no return because I knew that the engine would start and I could get the car started again.
So i started to weld the wheelhouse and support on. The wheelhouse was a pain in the a** because everything had to be ground away and it took me a couple of hours to do the hammering to position it right. I used your substandard crappy $120 stick welder with a stitch welder, and attatchment designed for arc welders to weld on sheet metal.
After everything was welded on, i could start intstalling stuff
With front welded back on:
me welding lol:
Once that was done, i installed a new radiator, fan and shroud. My next big roadblock though was the air filter, since i annihilated the OEM airbox in the crash, and my dad ripped out the AMF sensors when he pulled out the almost connector:
I ended up soldering the whole thing back together and made a custom air filter setup in my truck (haven't noticed any gains cuz so far i haven't pushed my truck to the limits...)
My air filter setup:
Once the air filter and AMF were on, I could turn on the car for an extended period of time and tune it (by ear, which i dont think tuned it right). After that, i put on the fenders, and realized that of course, the part that I welded on was not completely aligned with the other side, which called for fender washers...
After all the pieces were back on, i finally labelled it road worthy and drove it around for a little. I alligned the bumper afterwards, and also realized that my hood didn't latch. I spent another day fixing the hood latch and installed a mirror for my passenger side (the truck didn't have one).
So today its finally complete (except for the cornering light i still need to buy for the driver's side) and here's wat it looks like:
Its got nothin on ur guys's fancy offroading rigs, but this is my first car, and its my first time rebuilding / fixing my own car. Took me two months, but ive learned a lot, and I finally have my car back. No more riding my bike to work...
I decided that it would be cheaper to repair the car ourselves. SO, i drilled out the spot welds and pulled off the bent sheet metal, which was essentially the front radiator supports and the driver side wheelhouse. I also (luckily) sheered off the mount for the bumper and radiator supports (because its easier welding it back on than cutting it off or bending it back).
With all the sheet metal off:
Once everything was off, i replaced all the belts, and installed a new distributor (yes the full one):
Belts and new water pump were real easy to replace since everything was already off...
After i put the distributor on and had the car timed right, it was able to start (without a AMF) and run for at least 10 seconds. This was really my point of no return because I knew that the engine would start and I could get the car started again.
So i started to weld the wheelhouse and support on. The wheelhouse was a pain in the a** because everything had to be ground away and it took me a couple of hours to do the hammering to position it right. I used your substandard crappy $120 stick welder with a stitch welder, and attatchment designed for arc welders to weld on sheet metal.
After everything was welded on, i could start intstalling stuff
With front welded back on:
me welding lol:
Once that was done, i installed a new radiator, fan and shroud. My next big roadblock though was the air filter, since i annihilated the OEM airbox in the crash, and my dad ripped out the AMF sensors when he pulled out the almost connector:
I ended up soldering the whole thing back together and made a custom air filter setup in my truck (haven't noticed any gains cuz so far i haven't pushed my truck to the limits...)
My air filter setup:
Once the air filter and AMF were on, I could turn on the car for an extended period of time and tune it (by ear, which i dont think tuned it right). After that, i put on the fenders, and realized that of course, the part that I welded on was not completely aligned with the other side, which called for fender washers...
After all the pieces were back on, i finally labelled it road worthy and drove it around for a little. I alligned the bumper afterwards, and also realized that my hood didn't latch. I spent another day fixing the hood latch and installed a mirror for my passenger side (the truck didn't have one).
So today its finally complete (except for the cornering light i still need to buy for the driver's side) and here's wat it looks like:
Its got nothin on ur guys's fancy offroading rigs, but this is my first car, and its my first time rebuilding / fixing my own car. Took me two months, but ive learned a lot, and I finally have my car back. No more riding my bike to work...
Last edited by xzyragon; 05-13-2009 at 07:24 PM.
02-16-2009, 06:15 PM
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i know 
its pretty cool
@jay, its a 2wd truck, fenders were $40 a pop, and i only wanted to buy one, and wanted it to match the existing one...
i re used as many parts as i could, and even cut up some of my old parts to fab new ones
its pretty cool@jay, its a 2wd truck, fenders were $40 a pop, and i only wanted to buy one, and wanted it to match the existing one...
i re used as many parts as i could, and even cut up some of my old parts to fab new ones
02-16-2009, 06:21 PM
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you got yourself there one very reliable first truck... and think of how handy the bed will be you canput all sorts of stuff back there!!!
and you fixed it yourself! you now have the POWA!
and you fixed it yourself! you now have the POWA!
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02-16-2009, 06:26 PM
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hahahahah yeah alot better than a steel bed.. she might make you go on bottom.. which actually might work in your favor :O
better stop this is getting rather unyota tech friendly!
better stop this is getting rather unyota tech friendly!
02-16-2009, 06:41 PM
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lol @ bigt
@ gator... it was tought, took a TON of prep work and a week of learning how to weld, but it worked out pretty good. it would have been harder had i worried more about cosmetics though and how the lines fit together.
@ gator... it was tought, took a TON of prep work and a week of learning how to weld, but it worked out pretty good. it would have been harder had i worried more about cosmetics though and how the lines fit together.
02-16-2009, 06:57 PM
#12
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holy crap man, awesome job!bro if you weren't in LA, I'd have to try to get in touch with you if I ever get in a wreck, lol
really nice job man, seriously!
02-16-2009, 09:06 PM
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thanks, im considering painting it to make it match, prbly gonna go with flat primer black...
or keep it the way it is. ionno with this look, i could get into any gated community if i had a lawnmower in the back.....
or keep it the way it is. ionno with this look, i could get into any gated community if i had a lawnmower in the back.....
02-17-2009, 01:05 PM
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its a 2wd...
ive decided that its either staying like it is (cosmetically) and gettin a lift so i can fit some tires under it
or make it a semi lowrider and get a nice paint job
i think liftin it is easier and cheaper tho...
ive decided that its either staying like it is (cosmetically) and gettin a lift so i can fit some tires under it
or make it a semi lowrider and get a nice paint job
i think liftin it is easier and cheaper tho...
