Need advice on truck body work

[cantdrv55]

This is my 2006 Nissan Titan Crew Cab. It’s an absolute monster and has been extremely reliable. I use it to haul anything but I bought it specifically to pull my travel trailer. It was in great condition until my son borrowed it and he backed into a UHaul truck. Here’s the damage. Two body shops say it’ll cost about 7G’s because the entire left panel will have to be replaced. The truck is only worth 8.5G’s so I’m not inclined to spend the money. My son is a horrible driver, I didn’t know that at the time, so his insurance is really expensive. Anyway, I’d like to fix it myself but I’ve only pulled out minor door dings. This is a much bigger job.

I don’t intend to replace the panel but rather pull out as much of the dent as possible then bondo and paint. Of course grind out the rust and smooth too. What do you think? Is that doable with this damage? This fix doesn’t have to be perfect at all.

[A930Rocket]

If I can turn this dumpster fire into the final finish, you can do the same with your truck. I don’t know what’s accessible from the backside to bang it out. But it might be easier to cut out, shape it, weld in a filler piece and bondo it.

As you can see, I have no body work or Welding skills.😂

[MBAtarga]

How about used? $675 plus shipping costs and your labor to R&R.

https://www.hollanderparts.com/used-auto-parts/2006/nissan/titan/rear-body/155-pickup-box/155-56576-crew-cab--w-o-utility-bed-package/part-1051500-249-1

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

How about used? $675 plus shipping costs and your labor to R&R.

https://www.hollanderparts.com/used-auto-parts/2006/nissan/titan/rear-body/155-pickup-box/155-56576-crew-cab--w-o-utility-bed-package/part-1051500-249-1

My first truck was an 87 Nissan king cab that had been totaled, and I bought at the auction. I had to replace the front bumper grill and the bed was smashed in, so I replaced the bed with a used one. If you can find one within driving distance, it’s not a bad idea.

[fastfredracing]

You can probably get a used bed, same color for less than 2k. Have a few neighbors over to help you lift the old off and new one back on , done in a day .
Car-Part is showing a few in my area for 1600 ish up to 2800.

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

You can probably get a used bed, same color for less than 2k. Have a few neighbors over to help you lift the old off and new one back on , done in a day .
Car-Part is showing a few in my area for 1600 ish up to 2800.

I think on my link - that bed matches the color.

[fastfredracing]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

I think on my link - that bed matches the color.

Nice find!

[cantdrv55]

That does match the color of my truck perfectly. Thanks for the link?

[MBAtarga]

Any update?

[john70t]

The quarter panel and tailgate need to be taken off, PDR massaged or beaten into shape, rust-killed, etch-primered, and resprayed under ideal conditions with factory paint.
Not usually a job for the layman who just wants it 'done'..
I've done over kill effort, but a year or two later the rust is back again bubbling off paint. User error here.
They don't sell 100% zinc-phosphate.

The easiest way is to order same color panels from an online junkyard.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by john70t

They don't sell 100% zinc-phosphate.

Ospho is effective to neutralize rust if applied properly. (Edit: after heavy sanding and sandblasting)

Also get a stud welder, copper studs and a slide hammer at Harbor Freight to pull the body back into shape. A little over $100

https://www.harborfreight.com/stud-welder-dent-repair-kit-61433.html

Edit #2: The slide hammer in the kit at the freight may not be big enough to lift that panel up but you could craft fixtures for use with a larger slide hammer. I would not be a-skeered to take that corner on.

[911 Rod]

My wife did this to her Ranger and it cost $1,100.00.
I didn't ask any questions.

[sugarwood]

This seems like an old hit.
Based on the rust, aren't you used to it by now?

Also, did you replace the tail light?

You need a tool like this
https://www.amazon.com/spot-welder-dent-puller/s?k=spot+welder+dent+puller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taIALFUhdI4