Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3
Re: I just killed my Dakota, Iā€™m sick over it [Re: DaveRS23] #2807842
08/11/20 08:32 PM
08/11/20 08:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar Online work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
SattyNoCar  Online Work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX
Originally Posted by DaveRS23
Originally Posted by mopars4ever
Too bad about the truck. You probably could find a similar decent used dakota for $2500 - $3000 or even less.


You must live in a different universe than me. Those small trucks are getting IMPOSSIBLE to find in any usable condition. While there are some available for that money, they are basically clapped out.


I haven't seen one for sale locally in ANY condition in probably a year or more. When I bought mine about 5 yrs ago, they were everywhere, now..........nothing. Even the next body style is getting hard to come by.

And as if to taunt me, my neighbor across the street still has his '92 he paid $800 for. He bought a new Chevy, and drives his Dak maybe once a week now. No, he won't sell it. frowwn

RWG75 .....DANG!! shock That sucks! I wish I had hit something with the front as I have extra fenders and a rad support, but I don't have an extra roof. Long time ago, a friend did something similar to his place with a '68 Bonneville. laugh2

Of all places, I may have found someone at work that can fix my roof. He was in business with a friend, but when that friend passed away, he decided to just work on his own stuff and friends cars. He doesn't do full paint jobs anymore, but is willing/able to tackle a spot repairs. He drives a '90's Suburban that looks flawless and he claims 'all metal work, very little bondo'. Says my roof is 'easy'.

I guess if all else fails, I can go this route.........

[Linked Image]

Thanks for letting me vent.

beer


John

The dream is dead, long live the dream.......šŸ˜„
Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: SattyNoCar] #2812344
08/23/20 07:28 PM
08/23/20 07:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar Online work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
SattyNoCar  Online Work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX

For one reason or another, the guy at my job probably won't be able to look at my Dakota until late Sept, early October. shock frowwn

Now that I've calmed down some, I decided to dig in and see what I could do before the whole mess gets blown away by two hurricanes............ rolleyes

The hardest part so far was just getting enough of the interior apart to make room and gain access. On my old Club Cab, I could have the interior gutted (except the dash) in 30 minutes. TWO HOURS later, I still didn't have everything out I wanted to remove, and decided to just work around what remained. rant

The dent couldn't have happened in a better spot, right where the hole is for the interior light. But, that hole is only so big, and I'm struggling with the crease that remains down behind the inner structure..

A floor jack, 2X6, a 5 lbs hammer a ball peen hammer and various pieces of wood and metal, this was the results after 3 hrs.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Not done yet, the heat of the afternoon got to me and I had to stop.

bondo


John

The dream is dead, long live the dream.......šŸ˜„
Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: SattyNoCar] #2812348
08/23/20 07:38 PM
08/23/20 07:38 PM
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 9,291
Super Spudsville
Mr PotatoHead Offline
Half Baked
Mr PotatoHead  Offline
Half Baked

Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 9,291
Super Spudsville
You can do it! up


STOP POTATO HATE!
Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: SattyNoCar] #2812356
08/23/20 07:59 PM
08/23/20 07:59 PM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
G
Guitar Jones Offline
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Guitar Jones  Offline
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
G

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
That ain't nothing. You should have seen my 450,000 mile '92 CC before I sold it for $500, still running and driving! lol


"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"


'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost coming soon!
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: Guitar Jones] #2812358
08/23/20 08:05 PM
08/23/20 08:05 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,348
Eagle, Idaho
Neil Offline
The Doctor is in.
Neil  Offline
The Doctor is in.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,348
Eagle, Idaho
If you had a welder you could cut the inner brace out to get to the roof and then weld the brace back in.

Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: Neil] #2812382
08/23/20 09:07 PM
08/23/20 09:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar Online work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
SattyNoCar  Online Work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX
Originally Posted by Neil
If you had a welder you could cut the inner brace out to get to the roof and then weld the brace back in.


If I had a welder, I could replace the roof skin....... frowwn


John

The dream is dead, long live the dream.......šŸ˜„
Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: SattyNoCar] #2812403
08/23/20 10:13 PM
08/23/20 10:13 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,910
new berlin wisconsin
M
Mr T2U Offline
master
Mr T2U  Offline
master
M

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,910
new berlin wisconsin
Originally Posted by Satilite73
Originally Posted by Neil
If you had a welder you could cut the inner brace out to get to the roof and then weld the brace back in.


If I had a welder, I could replace the roof skin....... frowwn


what do you need a welder for?
just cut out the flat part of the brace enough to get behind the dent. try to leave the rt angle part of the brace in the truck, just cut the flat part.
once you have the most of the dent pounded out, just add a few strips of sheetmetal and pop rivet the metal you cut out back on. use the metal strips to bridge the gap where you cut.
it doesn't need to be that strong. it wasn't very strong to begin with or it wouldn't have bent so easily.


perception is 90% of reality
Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: Mr T2U] #2812416
08/23/20 10:43 PM
08/23/20 10:43 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,348
Eagle, Idaho
Neil Offline
The Doctor is in.
Neil  Offline
The Doctor is in.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,348
Eagle, Idaho
That is a good idea.

If you can get to both sides of the metal you'll be able to make it look much better

Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: Mr T2U] #2812418
08/23/20 10:47 PM
08/23/20 10:47 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar Online work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
SattyNoCar  Online Work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX
Originally Posted by Mr T2U
Originally Posted by Satilite73
Originally Posted by Neil
If you had a welder you could cut the inner brace out to get to the roof and then weld the brace back in.


If I had a welder, I could replace the roof skin....... frowwn


what do you need a welder for?
just cut out the flat part of the brace enough to get behind the dent. try to leave the rt angle part of the brace in the truck, just cut the flat part.
once you have the most of the dent pounded out, just add a few strips of sheetmetal and pop rivet the metal you cut out back on. use the metal strips to bridge the gap where you cut.
it doesn't need to be that strong. it wasn't very strong to begin with or it wouldn't have bent so easily.



Hmmmmm............ work thumbs


John

The dream is dead, long live the dream.......šŸ˜„
Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: SattyNoCar] #2813285
08/25/20 09:17 PM
08/25/20 09:17 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 934
Central Michigan
N
nuthinbutmopar Offline
super stock
nuthinbutmopar  Offline
super stock
N

Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 934
Central Michigan
I'd be VERY tempted to sawzall out a chunk of roof at Pick-a-Part, cut out and flange the roof on your truck, and get some of that 2-part body epoxy to stick it on...

Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: nuthinbutmopar] #2813290
08/25/20 09:29 PM
08/25/20 09:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar Online work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
SattyNoCar  Online Work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX
I was looking at that 2 part body epoxy. $40 for the epoxy, over $100 for the special gun required to use it? shock

If I'm gonna go that far, maybe swap a skin over that has a sunroof? The truck already leaks........ (no, I wouldn't actually do that)



John

The dream is dead, long live the dream.......šŸ˜„
Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: SattyNoCar] #2813298
08/25/20 09:50 PM
08/25/20 09:50 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,910
new berlin wisconsin
M
Mr T2U Offline
master
Mr T2U  Offline
master
M

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,910
new berlin wisconsin
i wouldn't wast my time replacing anything.
just cut out the inner brace like i described earlier. get some wood and a BFH. pound out most of the dent,straighten the inner brace on on something flat, pop rivet it back in like i described, them re install the window. probably take you less than a day from start to finish.

as a experienced body man i could do the job in about 2 or 3 hours.


perception is 90% of reality
Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: Mr T2U] #2813322
08/25/20 10:26 PM
08/25/20 10:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar Online work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
SattyNoCar  Online Work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX

as a experienced body man i could do the job in about 2 or 3 hours.

Well, the interior slowed me way down. Took me 2 hrs just to gut the interior. Working the dent was maybe an hour.

I might buy a shrinking hammer to help with the high spots.

I'm thinking that while the truck is down for this repair, going ahead and (finally) swapping out the damaged drivers fender and core support (I have them already). I don't ever see the truck having a show car finish, but I would like to make it more presentable.


John

The dream is dead, long live the dream.......šŸ˜„
Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: SattyNoCar] #2813327
08/25/20 10:40 PM
08/25/20 10:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,483
Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
I Live Here
poorboy  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,483
Freeport IL USA
"Just doing a little body work" is a complete lie! Its never, ever, just a little, it always grows into a time consuming monster. You start getting into that "while I'm fixing this, I should fix that too" and it never ends. Soon that little dent over there needs to get fixed too, and the next thing you know, you got to paint the whole truck because it has spots where you fixed stuff.

The worst part of the whole deal is, after you finally give up doing body work and paint it, you will find that one spot you missed and it will drive you nuts.
Or at least that is how it works for me.... LOL! Gene

Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: poorboy] #2813330
08/25/20 10:46 PM
08/25/20 10:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar Online work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
SattyNoCar  Online Work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX

What's the term? 'Project Creep'? laugh2

With replacing the fender, its not just about making the truck look better, its also about getting more junk out of my garage (at least that's what I tell myself... whistling blush )

[Linked Image]


runaway


John

The dream is dead, long live the dream.......šŸ˜„
Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: SattyNoCar] #2813344
08/25/20 11:15 PM
08/25/20 11:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,348
Eagle, Idaho
Neil Offline
The Doctor is in.
Neil  Offline
The Doctor is in.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,348
Eagle, Idaho
Originally Posted by Satilite73


I might buy a shrinking hammer to help with the high spots.


I bought a tool set that came with one of those textured shrinking hammers and it doesn't do much other than mark up the metal. Not sure if I don't know how to use it, or if my expectations were too high? I just use a normal smooth face hammer and a dolly with the right shape and the shrinking disc to knock down the high spots. Repeat until satisfactory.

Keep going until you get it

Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: Neil] #2813355
08/25/20 11:38 PM
08/25/20 11:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar Online work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
SattyNoCar  Online Work OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX

Thanks Neil, I may look into a shrinking disc instead now.

Looked at several videos on YouTube and the disc seems to be the preferred method.

up


John

The dream is dead, long live the dream.......šŸ˜„
Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: SattyNoCar] #2813644
08/26/20 05:38 PM
08/26/20 05:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,483
Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
I Live Here
poorboy  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,483
Freeport IL USA
The shrinking discs scare me. I've seen too many horror stories attached to them. If you get one, be sure you have good hearing protection, and be sure you give the process your full undivided attention. A sheet metal thick piece of stainless steel disc spinning at high speeds can do a lot of damage if it gets out of control, both to a person, and to other objects. Gene

Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: poorboy] #2813682
08/26/20 07:13 PM
08/26/20 07:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,348
Eagle, Idaho
Neil Offline
The Doctor is in.
Neil  Offline
The Doctor is in.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,348
Eagle, Idaho
Yes, they are next level noisy. Enough that you may want to warn your neighbors ahead of time if you use it outside

The one I have is big and the grinder is also pretty heavy so you do have to hold it tight and pay attention. I don't think they will catch anything and go crazy and fly out of your hands, but they do have a gyroscopic effect that you have to pay attention to You'll want to wear gloves and watch your knuckles too as they are right above the edge of the disc. Basically treat it like a chainsaw or any serious tool that could harm you and you'll be ok.

They do sell smaller diameter ones that mount to the smaller angle grinders and that may be easier and cheaper to try out first. The grinder I have is construction site sized so I bought a used one at a pawn shop.

Last edited by Neil; 08/26/20 07:14 PM.
Re: Dakota not dead? A followup......... [Re: Neil] #2814004
08/27/20 05:08 PM
08/27/20 05:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,666
Buford, GA
I_bleed_MOPAR Offline
master
I_bleed_MOPAR  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,666
Buford, GA
Dang, John. Sorry to hear this. Always something, isn't it? frown
My first thought was make it a Dakota 'vert. wink
Anyway, good luck on the repair. up


Tim


'71 Charger 383/727
'17 Challenger SXT (Wifeys car wink )
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1