Where to start???

[grande_guerre]

Where and how should i start fixing the body damage on the bronco???

 

[Ziggy]

I would replace the fender and the door and then concentrate on the body. Doors and fenders can be found in junkyards at a fairly decent price, remember that Ford pick up trucks share the doors and fenders as the Bronco. I 'm not a fan of doing body work, and since you'll have re-paint any way, get some quotes from a body shop for repairing just the body. Have the door realighned after you replace it if it needs it. I had to change out a hing on my 79' and I never could get it "just right".

 

[Seabronc]

My response would be based on how much damage there is to areas not visible in the picture. Like firewall, front door post, rocker panels, floor area next to the door and rear door post. Second, are you up to making those kind of repairs? Those are all structural parts of the cab and need to be right, but doable.

One approach might be to take a night course in body repair and use your truck as a learning/teaching aid.

If not, then like Ziggy said, get that done by a body shop. Fenders and doors are available from junk yards, but you need to pay attention to what you are buying. Mainly in the area of hidden rust starting in the wheel wells, back corner of fender, and bottoms of doors. Another approach is buy new door and fender from Jef's or some place like that. A lot of junk dealers charge about as much for a used door as you could pay for a aftermarket door. However, you will have an OEM door. Good rustfree fenders are hard to find in a junk yard but there are some.

You probably won't be able to change the door and fender unless you take care of any internal damage first.

Good luck on your decision,

>-

 

[Justshootme84]

Oh man, I'm sorry that happened to your Bronco, GQ. I agree with Seabronc, before buying any parts or starting any work, check for structural damage to the body "tub". That's the cab and bed area, including the rear quarter panels, etc. From the pic, it looks like the chrome nerf bar protected the rocker panel under the door from major damage, but the B-pillar behind the door doesn't look too good. You may need to pull up the carpet and check the floor pan for any cracks. THere is some major structural support in the B-pillar, and that is really tough to repair if bent or cracked. That all needs to be straight for the door and fender to even mount, much less line up. Good luck fixxing her up if you decide to do so.

 

[grande_guerre]

The thing is, the door still works. The b-pillar is in great shape for what it looks like from the outside. Same with the a-pillar. I haven't checked the floor yet though, and the firewall looks okay too.

 

[Seabronc]

The thing is, the door still works.

 

[Koopa132]

Just because you don't see any apparent damage to the pillars, doesn't mean they haven't moved at all. Take some carefull measurements and compare them to the other side of the truck. Measure from the centerline of the truck to each the pillars on each side. Also measure from places like the seat bolts to similar points on each pillar. Make sure the pillars are not pushed in sideways or moved forward or backward at all. Also compare the arc of each pillar to the good side.

Once you are absolutely sure all the structural components are intact, go ahead and bolt a new door and fender on.

 

[Seabronc]

The thing is, the door still works.  The b-pillar is in great shape for what it looks like from the outside.  Same with the a-pillar.  I haven't checked the floor yet though, and the firewall looks okay too.

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Taking another loook at the picture, there sure seems to be some rotation damage to the to the rear piller caused by the pulling of the quarter panel skin. Looks like you probably should consider a new skin for the quarter panel also.

>-

 

[Justshootme84]

I know it's hard to tell from jsut a single picture, but everyone's post centers around the B-pillar and possible damage. The reason the door still works is due to it's mounting on the A-pillar. The lack of damage there will allow for a simple replacement of the front fender and even the door, plus account for no damage to the firewall, dash or windshield. But the large dent in the door and the rear quarter panel could indicate damage to the structure in the B-pillar. That is hidden by the quarter panel, and the only way to tell is take some measurements like stated and compare to the other side. You can pull out the inner trim panels and check for any damage or cracks, too. IT may be possible to pull out the dent in the quarter panel, if you see no cracks inside and the body supports are not bent. Even with added braces, that area is prone to stress cracks just from offroading, so a collision is often worse. Hopefully, the nerf bar prevented any major damage to the B-pillar supports.

 

[grande_guerre]

Thanks guys, on my day off i'll start pulling interior stuff and checking the inside. And i'll try to find or purchase a tape to measure the door and stuff. Thanks for the help!

 

[grande_guerre]

Well, i just bit the bullet and did it. And i am happy with the results. The door and fender came off of an f-350 extended cab, so i think the door is a little longer, but it fits. i'm pretty sure it isn't water proof, but it isn't completely adjusted yet(i ran out of daylight). But on my next day off, i'm going to adjust it to the best of my ability. Here's some pics of the job.

 

[Seabronc]

Hey GQ, looking good. Great that you could find such a close match and looks like there was no damage to the post after all.

Good luck,

>-

 

[BLADE262US]

The doors are all the same length wether off an extended cab or regular cab . In fact everything from the back of the doors forward is the same on a bronco/F150/F250/F350 . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />