I understand about the time/$$ involved with body swaps, but if the A-pillars are damaged it really becomes more of a safety issue than ca cosmetic one. The integrity of the oem safety cage is gone once you crush an A-pillar. Your only real options then are a cab swap, or an internal/external cage.

If the dents are just cosmetics, some cheap body tools, light bondo, and some paint can do a lot for the appearance of your beater. It will also give you a way of learning/harnessing your body skills, so if you ever have to fix a dent on your daily you can save yourself some $$.

A-pillars *can* be repaired, but you'd better have a good shop do it. Another risk is loss of corrosion protection, I am told. Not a factor for a "trail beater", but I don't like trail beaters.

The guy fixing my truck looked at another job that had opened rear fenders, and he commented that there was so much welding to make that happen that much of the OEM corrosion protection was toast, with no way to make it as protected as original.

I don't claim to fully understand, but the guy knows his stuff and stands behind it...

My a-pillars are done. I bent them back out with my hi lift...at this point it's a matter of getting together the $$ together to buy the cage from 4XInnovations.

OEM corrosion protection, yes... but why can't "after market" be just as good, especially for a non DD vehicle? A friend of mind did an amazing job on his rear fenders. I think the rest of the truck will rust around them.

Exactly, almost good enough isn't, unless of course you are running an internal or external cage.

TexJeff87
Another option than a complete body swap is to replace the upper section of the Runner's cab, from the cowel up. Look for a runner that has the rear crushed or a lot of rust.

If you cant't find a Runner, you could use a truck's cab, and turn it into a convertable(old LC style) with the internal cage. If the rear top was damaged in your roll, a bikini top would be easy to make for the rainy season and colder months there in Texas

Yeah, I deferred to Terry doing the work. I have seen good looking fender re-dos, but got a chance to see one pre-painted and it gave me pause. Lots of Bondo. LOTS of welding on the sheetmetal. Lots of buckling, and the guy doing it was really good too.

The best way is to get a foldover crimp going, with spot welds, like the factory does it. Very difficult to do manually.

Oh, and I am about half done with my new half door. This one will be better than the original, since I've been doin' some learnin' twixt then and now. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I'm doing the work on this one and it's progressing pretty well

Inner quarter panel replaced on donor body


Outer quarter panel in progress




Doors and hood in primer




Body in primer

Well howdy Terry! You stalking me? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

BTW all, Terry is the guy who married an XJ that had been rolled with a Toy pickup and ended up with a Toyomanche. Sorta.

Dirty Harry would be proud... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

It's Reeeeeeeeeeeeed...........





Did a bit of engine compartment reinstallation of all my hoo-haw and bits. Saving Terry a little hair pulling. Which, if you ever saw Terry, is obviously a precious commodity to him!

It's coming along. If not in time for much wheeling <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />, at least it will be fully configured for hunting...

Oh, and those wheels are loaners from Terry... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

Yes..... It is.
Looks great man!