Rebuilding my 99 XJ - replace fender apron
07-06-2016, 09:10 AM
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Pieced everything back together so I can drive it to a few body shops for the A pillar fix. Hopefully, I can find a shop that will be ok just doing that for me. I was surprised that it drive so well when I went for a test drive. I am sure the alignment got knocked out of whack.
07-08-2016, 02:58 PM
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Was able to drive to two body shops today. Got estimates with two approaches:
1. Pull the A pillar, replace windshield and primer fix
Estimate was ~$670.
2. I provide a donor A pillar and they replace the skin, replace windshield and primer
Estimate was ~$1,000
Cutting an A pillar out of a junkyard vehicle would be pretty quick. would also let me see how that pillar skin is on. there are spot welds down the door jamb that would drill out easy. I can't tell what it looks like under the windshield, but I could at the junk yard.
Will probably take it on the skull and go the nearby pick a part and start cutting to see what it all looks like. If I get that far in, I may just do it myself. I have seen a ew write-ups on the interwebs where people have done this.
1. Pull the A pillar, replace windshield and primer fix
Estimate was ~$670.
2. I provide a donor A pillar and they replace the skin, replace windshield and primer
Estimate was ~$1,000
Cutting an A pillar out of a junkyard vehicle would be pretty quick. would also let me see how that pillar skin is on. there are spot welds down the door jamb that would drill out easy. I can't tell what it looks like under the windshield, but I could at the junk yard.
Will probably take it on the skull and go the nearby pick a part and start cutting to see what it all looks like. If I get that far in, I may just do it myself. I have seen a ew write-ups on the interwebs where people have done this.
07-10-2016, 10:08 PM
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Went to visit the daughter yesterday and stopped at the accident scene just out of curiosity to see if the missing pieces were still there. Remarkably, I found all of the missing pieces. I found the little bit of the header panel, a couple of pieces of the mirror, even the mirror glass, most of the side marker lens. I was able to figure out how just the fender and header panel got taken out with apparently no damage to the suspension. I looked at the tree she hot closer and it was not straight up. It goes up and then curves towards the road. I even found the mirror right next to the tree. I was really trying to figure out how this happened to not wreck the front suspension. Must be a 1 in a million chance to hit a tree like that, peel back the fender and not have the entire vehicle wrecked. At least, I see how the suspension avoided getting destroyed. Weirdest thing, after I pieced he old header panel back together and put the headlights in so I could drive tot he body shops, the headlights weren't even out of alignment.
I think I'm going with the pull it option instead of the replace it option. Can hopefully get the it to the body shop this week to get all that work started. The replacement header panel from ebay should be here this week. After that, it will just be prep and paint. Can't wait for this project to be over.
I think I'm going with the pull it option instead of the replace it option. Can hopefully get the it to the body shop this week to get all that work started. The replacement header panel from ebay should be here this week. After that, it will just be prep and paint. Can't wait for this project to be over.
07-15-2016, 03:24 PM
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Got the used header panel today. Ended up with an original used one from eBay. I just didn't want to mess with the aftermarket plastic ones. Looks like I'm going with the pull method on the A pillar. Hopefully can get ti to the body shop next week to get that fixed and the windshield. After that it's deciding what to do with paint.
07-17-2016, 02:50 PM
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Got the eBay replacement header panel on today. Going to get one more estimate from a Jeep specialty fab shop and then decide on the body shop and get this thing done.
07-31-2016, 11:52 AM
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
In a very cruel twist of fate, I decided to take the cherokee out for an errand to check a few suspension things. I ended up going further than I should have onto unfamiliar roads and ended up rear ending someone and smashing the drivers side. Almost the exact same thing, but on the drivers side. Impact was above the frame rails again and pushed in the inner apron panel. This time, it got the radiator and condenser. Wife is already asking if I can fix it like I did the other side. this has got to be some kind of test on whether I can get into mechanic heaven or something.
07-31-2016, 04:08 PM
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I am so ready to not do this, but my wifes emotional attachment to this is very strong so I'll give it another shot (especially since I was the one that did this). On the other hand, I was the one that brought it back from the dead the first time. I guess that which does not kill you will make you stronger. I guess this Jeep wants to survive somehow.
Maybe it's just time to start looking at alternative front bumpers and mods. We both like out Jeeps original, but at some point you gotta rethink that.
Out to the garage for a few hours to start dismantling again. I'll post some more pics once I get the front end off again.
Maybe it's just time to start looking at alternative front bumpers and mods. We both like out Jeeps original, but at some point you gotta rethink that.
Out to the garage for a few hours to start dismantling again. I'll post some more pics once I get the front end off again.
07-31-2016, 09:00 PM
#26
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Spent about 2 hours and got everything down to where I could see all the bits that need replacing. It's essentially the mirror image of the other side plus the radiator and condenser. Unbelievable. However that hit it was right at the bottom of the radiator level. So strange. Will need a replacement bumper too. Haven't decided yet if I'm going through with this. Just unbelievable that this could happen to each side independently and not damage the other side with each incident. Would be a serious frankenstein Cherokee. Would certainly be good for lot's of stories and be more interesting than "we wrecked and found another one"
08-01-2016, 10:17 PM
#30
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Guess I'm going to do this. Got a new spot weld bit and went at it. Only took about 45 minutes this time. Some of those spot welds are tough to see. Cleaning up the grime certainly makes it easier. Had a crazy thought about just using some sheet metal screws or rivets and make it a tear away fender apron. Then I was thinking, If I ever have to do this again on either side, I'll lose my mind. Gotta say, I wish I had removed the front end like this when I had to replace the timing chain. really nit that much effort to to take the header panel and radiator out. Condensor moves out of the way and everything is right there. Much easier than reaching down between the radiator and constantly banging knuckles on the radiator. I could image it would be so much easier to do things if you could easily remove that fender apron on either side too. I put the hood down to check alignment and it looks so menacing with just the hood and no fender or fender apron.
