Feeler: Does anyone do their own body repairs, or is anyone willing to experiment on my YJ?

i worked at a bodyshop for 9 years. what do you need? i can probably help you.

i'm not the greatest at finnishing work (bondo) but can weld good.
depending when you plan on this ,i'll help out. i would love to pick up some tips and tricks from 79cj

I'll try to post a picture (close up) after I get a chance to take one. Basically, the very front corner of the passenger side fender has about a one inch wide dent (gouge) running from the top to the bottom (aboout 6 inches). This damage also caused a minor crimping or bulge about 12 inches back on the fender at the flare that is barely noticable in the fender, but caused the flare to buckle a bit.

One body shop gave an estimate of $200 and another said $375. I'd like the YJ to look acceptable, but I don't want to dish out that kind of money when the chances are pretty good that I'll "bang it up again."

I'm located in the Harrisburg area and don't really have the tools to get into this kind of thing. If this is a project the two of you would be interested in undertaking, I have a suggestion: Since we're all many miles apart, could we meet at my sister's house in Windber, PA (near Johnstown) (no she doesn't have the tools either), work in her garage, and possibly go wheelin' at Rock Run in Patton, PA (near Altoona) on one of their sheduled wheeling weekends?

How about a club trail ride there? (Hint, hint, Pattey and Chris!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

does she have air compressor to paint it? You are closer to me now than Johnstown.

if i'm home from work when you plan this i'll come up. i usually go camping at prince galitzon park so i know alittle of the area. my rig is not ready but i'll bring my chevy truck ... fully capable 4x4

is anybody having a wrenching party maybe we can do it there

Here are the pics:



Front View of passenger fender



Diagonal View



Looking Down FRom Above



Side View



Side view of Collateral DAmage (This is actually a protrusion)



If we can fix this while we're at it, I'd like to.

how soon do you want it fixed? do you want the color to match perfectly? if not i have some red that looks to be close.
from the pics it dont look to be bad

yeah that aint too bad. ya can hammer & dolly most of that out then alittle filler.

Time for flat fenders.

Sorry, but the forum won't let me reply to/with a quote at the moment. As for the timeframe when I want it fixed: It's been this way for quite a few months, so I can easily wait till warmer weather when the paint will dry. As for paint, I can easily buy a spray can at Advance Auto Parts that matches exactly (although it's a little thin). If you guys prefer to use a spray gun, I believe the paint designation is RP4 or PR4. The exact designation is listed on my half doors which are currently stored in my rental garage on the other side of the river.

Let me ask a question: Should I invest in replacement fender flares (I can get a whole used set for $20.00), or do you think once the fender is reshaped that the plastic in the flares might regain some of its original shape? (with heat?) Let me explain that with my bad bad and bifocals, when I tried to remove this damaged fender flare, I couldn't even get a grip on the first nut and bolt, let alone get it to turn.

Even though this vehicle is not my daily driver, it IS my fun to drive vehicle and I'd like it to look good on the streets and still be able to wheel it. Although these pictures show a lot of road salt, I'm not one who loves to keep a lot of mud on my Jeep in order to shown my manhood.

I'm at your mercy and am willing to let you guys experiment on my vehicle, if necessary. You pick the time and location and I'll supply the doughnuts, pizza, subs, sodas or whatever, depending on the time of day. And of course I'll pay for all the parts.

i wont experiment but i will fix it as long as you buy thepaint i have all the rest.if you can wait untill warmer weather that would be great. by then i might be layed off and have alot of time on my hands.