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Rear isn't bent down, just looks that way because the bumper cap is still on and the hatch is open, as well as there's a big rust home in the lower quatter from the bumpercap bracket. I've already straightened 90% of it out already, and there's honestly nothing a frame shop would do different than what I'm doing.
You guys have apparently never seen the nightmares that go through body shops every day if you think this is bad.. I wouldn't be much worried about it even if the frame was bent as long as its in the rear.. not that big of a deal to pull it out and plate it or hell even replace that unibody rail.
Last edited by xj_maniac_newb; May 19, 2016 at 01:29 AM.
Put a level on the drip rail above the front doors and then on the rear half that looks bent.If its not level use a tape measure lift the level tell it is level and see how far its bent.
Put a level on the drip rail above the front doors and then on the rear half that looks bent.If its not level use a tape measure lift the level tell it is level and see how far its bent.
The drip rail has a bow to it from the factory. The rear should be at a different angle.
Originally Posted by guinelle1
"frame is bent its junk"
xj doesnt have a frame
if it drives str8, id rock it.
armor is for sure easier then bodywork.
Armor may be easier. It really depends how big those bends are and how much the OP cares about looks and longevity. Armor will not hide all of that damage and due to it not being flush against the body water will collect and eventually rust out the fenders. Some bending and straightening will most likely be required to get the panels on to begin with. You cannot just cut away the bent areas as the fenders are an integral part of the unibody. The armor will not do much in terms of maintaining the rigidity of the unibody without the underlying panel due to only being held on with a self tapping screw every few inches. Basically it is going to require some work before the armor can be put on anyway. Replacing the rear fenders correctly is not as bad as it sounds. With some basic welding skills, some body glue, and a cutoff wheel it's doable in a weekend for under $200 a side. I replaced both rear panels on the orange build and the left one on the blue. Then again... If its just going to be a trail queen and structural integrity or looks is of no concern then just wheel it and disregard my previous comments!
That was the original plan^ but having it painted just isnt an option at this point.
And maintaining structural integrity is a non-issue. I have some goodies from Ruff stuff as well as as some 2x6 square tube that's going to eliminate any worries there, but they were in the plans anyways.
No idea why that picture is sideways, but I apparently can't fix it. The armor came boxed nicely. They basically wrapped them up really good threw a can of expandable foam in there. They're VERY beefy and will surely take some abuse.
Plan on cutting the rears pretty good and comping the quarters maybe all the way up to the armor. Little tacking, welding, and body filler will make it all kosher.
Not sideways pic.
Last edited by xj_maniac_newb; May 23, 2016 at 09:17 PM.
