tools for dent removal

[Shuie]

I let my better half drive my truck and now I have a potential learning opportunity and an excuse to go buy more tools. What would be the recommended way to try to push this back out? Hydraulic ram with some kind of form and then hammer & dolly it the best I can? There are no punctures or tears in the metal and from what I can tell so far nothing other than this panel is bent. No broken brackets, etc., it doesn't seem too bad. Would it be worth it to get a profile from the other side with a contour gauge and carve a form out of a 2x4 and use that to push it? I can't find anyone who sells the panel.

TIA

[asphaltgambler]

My observation - that is more than 'a dent'. The top area above the belt line is caved considerably and lower area is pushed and stretched. The best way, the correct way is to cut and replace with a patch panel. That metal is stretched so much ( & it's very thin) you'll never be able to pull it out and make the original shape again.

If there are no patch panels available for that piece, look at the scrap yards where the bed is too damaged to sell complete but that part is good.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

My observation - that is more than 'a dent'. The top area above the belt line is caved considerably and lower area is pushed and stretched. The best way, the correct way is to cut and replace with a patch panel. That metal is stretched so much ( & it's very thin) you'll never be able to pull it out and make the original shape again.

If there are no patch panels available for that piece, look at the scrap yards where the bed is too damaged to sell complete but that part is good.

I'm no body man, but I agree^^.

I do believe an experienced metal/body shop could fix the damage, but it would take considerable time, lots of hand manipulation and shrinking of metal that only an expert could do well--certainly not a DIY for an owner to take on, IMO. Given the effort needed to restore, it's probably much cheaper to go the replacement route by tracking down a wreck.

[fastfredracing]

Agree with both above statements. That being said, I bet 85% of that can be pushed out with your bare hands from behind .

[Sooner or later]

Tools for that repair?

Metal cutter
Welder
Grinder

[Tobra]

I am with Fred. It is a truck

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Agree with both above statements. That being said, I bet 85% of that can be pushed out with your bare hands from behind .

I concur with this, and maybe to make it look a little better for virtually no cost, use a rubber mallet, and some 2"x4"s cut/sanded to a curved shape, and pound from behind. This would get it close enough to possibly apply a thin layer of body filler into the low/dimpled spots where you would drill small holes to help hold the filler, then paint.

If you need the repair to look perfect, be prepared to spend some $$ on body work/paint.

[Shuie]

Absolutely does not need to be perfect. It is a truck. I'll definitely start by trying to push it out by hand. Thanks again

[Bob Kontak]

If you want to fiddle with it, get a stud welder and slide hammer. Watch youtube vids on how to attack the impact.

Then set aside about three days with an air file followed by five days with a hand file. A bucket of good bondo and $300 worth of primer and paint and three more days of rubbing. This is assuming you have a day job.

If not, a mere three days of pain.

Alternatively, beat it out. Get a good suction cup to help. Your paint is not even tattered that badly.