MEJ519

Hey everyone im sorta new to yotatech but awsome website its been nothing but useful information, i'll soon be putting a yotatech sticker on my rear window So i've had my truck for about 3 years now, i bought it off the original owner in perfect condition, no accidents and only 109xxxkm on it. But recently had a bad night comin home from the bars, when lost control on an icy curve goin about 50km slid across the road sideways up the sidewalk and niked my front bumper off a lightpole "bang"..... I freaked out and took off, driving for about 5 minutes before pulling over to assess the damage, i didn't want to look at it lol. The front bumper was demolished which was expected at the least. So after giving it a more thorough inspection i thaught man it took it like a champ, heres a few pics with the front bumper and grill removed. I can't seem to see any other damage except the end of the frame rails were pushed slightly in opposite direction of the impact which leads to my question.

I have a shrockworks bumper replacement coming and i know the installation procedure, but really need some ideas on how to get this mess straightened out. Could i get some helpful suggestions from the yotatech people i would really appreciate it.

Shawn6string

A big sledge hammer would probably do it

VSU_4runnin

heat and a hammer

MEJ519

Cool thanks for the replies, that came to mind but wasn't sure if it would be a dumb idea. A friend suggested a winch but i was kinda weary about that. I will be cutting out the little brace for the skid plate mount and welding a new piece of tubing when i put the new plates on the end of the rails for the Shrockwork bumper. Now that i know a sledge hammer will do the job, should i leave the brace in the middle until its straightened out, or should i cut it out and do one rail at a time? I don't wanna F something up.

VSU_4runnin

a shrockworks bumper should be just bolt on, with the option to put a plate on the end of each frame rail for more strength.. so whats with all this cutting and welding... unless that was damaged as well... but id leave it on for support then cut it out and replace it.. you dont want any shifting going on up there...

VSU_4runnin

also id run it and watch the radiator.. you might have a crack in that.. or thats what usually happends after a crash like that

MEJ519

Yeah well the reason being is because i seen the procedure here on yotatech, and the guy had to cut off the flanges, and weld one on with a threaded nut in the middle. And there is no leaks or noises, it could have been alot worse. Iv'e been driving the truck for a few weeks like this and the only damage was to these rails. Thanks again for the replies i now think it would be best to leave that bar in and use a sledge hammer like what was stated. It would simulate the accident in reverse i guess is a way of lookin at it....

VSU_4runnin

haha thats a good way of loookin at it.. yah i think i was just lookin at a TJM install...

MEJ519

got a good idea from this post but with a sledge hammer its almost impossible to move it back, you suggested heat but i dont have access to a torch and doesn't heat weakin the metal?....i was thinking and was wondering if a bottle jack and a pipe or 4x4 of wood beside a tree or some other strong structure and jack it straight, im going to try that tommorow but im not sure if the pressure will just slide the front wheels.....

VSU_4runnin

well im not sayin high heat.. like an acetoline torch.. just something small like one of those hand held propane torches... did you try one of those small 3lb mallets? that might be able to fit in there... i said a torch to weaken the metal to make it easier to pound out...

Shawn6string

maybe try a chain and a cum-a-long??

VSU_4runnin

thatd be a little too dangerous, incase something slipped

MEJ519

Yeah so i ended up bring it to a collision shop and paid a guy $200 dollars, he spent about 4 hours on it with a hydraulic machine to bring it back to book spec. Just was too hard too much for me to accomplish this on my own, i got my grill back on and now im just waiting for my winch bumper....