Front end body damage. Ahhhhhh!

[rascole]

So my daughter got into fender bender today with a school bus. Narrow street and a fat bus don't mix. Looked a lot worse than it is, maybe. Left front corner. Front plastic, assorted small items like head lights, left fender, and fender well are the wasted parts. Hood has small dent and front core support has minor bends. Not how I wanted to start my next project. Roof rack will have to wait. But, here is were I go to plan B. Dual battery, removal of fake hood louvers, and prep for Schwarttzy's winch mount all take front seat.


After some driving tips an hour an a couple of beers.

 

[3Hummers]

Sucks. I hate when that happens. Hope you have a low deductible.

 

[alrock]

Well, that's a lot better result than this driver. Glad the damage isn't too bad.
[video=youtube_share;1UTM40K53K8]http://youtu.be/1UTM40K53K8[/video]

 

[4speedfunk]

Perhaps time for a THORparts front bumper? I got a batch coming off the powder-coat line on March 4th. Let me know if you want one...I have several other customers waiting and they are all getting shipped on March 7th. $900 to your door...much cheaper and nicer than the stock GM stuff (winch not included)...



Also, because I'm in the bumper biz...I tend to "acquire" piles of stock H3 front end parts. I probably have most of the stuff you need. Shipping to California will kill you on the plastic fascia panel, (the THORparts bumper replaces this huge plastic piece with a much smaller steel piece). However, If you are interested in stock parts...send me a list and I will get you some prices. Use this diagram to tell me what you need and I will check my parts bin...



I can also hook you up with a matching rear bumper. That way your daughter can smash into whatever she wants with minimal damage! Nothing fixes a blind spot quite like a THORparts rear bumper. -LOL

 

[chaos254]

Doesnt look too bad, at least your daughter is ok. Now would be a good time for an aftermarket bumper.

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[Bigunit]

Ouch! Glad your daughter is not Ok. Overall, doesn't look too bad and looks very fixable.

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[rascole]

Yeah, mostly front plastic and left fender. 4Speedfunk, ironic that I was the one who bought the mesh grill from you last week. #'s 15 & 17 are a definite, If you can quote that price plus shipping I can get more detailed list of the small pieces.

 

[4speedfunk]

Damn that is ironic...You must have jinxed yourself! I have part 17 and I already checked on shipping for it. It's only 5 lbs of plastic but it will cost $220 to ship ( due to size). An entire THORparts bumper weighs 98 lbs. and only costs $120 or so to ship. So u can begin to see the problem with your situation. There is no way I can get u 15 & 17 for any reasonable price. I also have the chrome grille but it's a similar size. If you want stock parts...you should hunt for them in your area. This sucks and you're not the first guy that's had this problem. I have thrown away many stock front ends just because I cannot ship them.


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[Nacho]

I have the front facia parts. You can have them, just have to come pick them up.

 

[rascole]

Nacho,Where you located? I'm in the LB area.

I just got back from my cousins place and looking at $1500-2000. Ouch, most of that is for parts, grill, bumper, & fender are $$$$. Fender may be repairable since there isn't any cracks, just a few scratches. But the grill, bumper, & fender well liner are toast.

 

[Nacho]

I'm not far sent you a pm


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[rascole]

I'm not far sent you a pm


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Huge thanks to Nacho for the front bumper, saved my daughter some $$$$. She was out in the rain today cleaning it up ready to put it back together next weekend. Just waiting for grill & fender liner. Made the leap to have my cousin fill in the fake hood louver mount holes then re-paint the hood and fender. Should be done this week.

 

[ABNTROOP]

And THAT is why I love this forum! Our folks take care of each other! Cool as ****!!!

 

[rascole]

Forgot to add, I have the old chrome grill and bumper i'm going to hold on for any one wanting test part to try a mod on before they work on their own (painting, plastic coat, etc.). I'll post in Swap Meet soon. Want to make sure there are no small parts I may need off of it.

 

[rascole]

Front end repair is going great, stopped by today on my way home from work. My cousin has everything nice and straight, only some minor tweaking was all that was needed, no pulling or hammering he said. Best part is the hood, all the hole are filled in and sanded ready for paint tomorrow. Really glad I pulled the fake plastic hood vent louvers.

 

[alrock]

Glad to hear of the progress.

 

[rascole]

Repairs are complete. Fake faded plastic water trap hood vent louvers have been DELETED.

Front bumper install, thanks Nacho. I owe you one.

Prepping for fender install.

Fender install.

New grill install.

All done.

 

[Bigunit]

Looks great!

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[hockeymanam]

I don't know how i feel about the hood looking bare like that. it seem like something is missing (obviously there is) but maybe a matte black vinyl sticker to fill in the square.

 

[Bigunit]

I like it. I hate the plastic OEM decorative useless hood louver. A purpose built vehicle shouldn't have parts or pieces that serve no purpose. For example, the $$ GM spent in the design and manufacturing of the POS hood louver would've been better spent in the R&D and manufacturing of better front suspension parts. That's my Sunday rant...for now!

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[rascole]

Yep, when they did the recall repair on these, the dealer repair used epoxy that covered the drain holes and it would hold water instead. Driving would cause water to spray on the windshield for the next 100 miles. Hated that.

 

[Zach]

I like it. I hate the plastic OEM decorative useless hood louver. A purpose built vehicle shouldn't have parts or pieces that serve no purpose. For example, the $$ GM spent in the design and manufacturing of the POS hood louver would've been better spent in the R&D and manufacturing of better front suspension parts. That's my Sunday rant...for now!

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Not to mention the money they spent for the recall of said POS louver flying off.

And the hood looks great!

 

[ReconH3]

I like it. I hate the plastic OEM decorative useless hood louver. A purpose built vehicle shouldn't have parts or pieces that serve no purpose. For example, the $$ GM spent in the design and manufacturing of the POS hood louver would've been better spent in the R&D and manufacturing of better front suspension parts. That's my Sunday rant...for now!

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X2!!!!!!




"Ex Umbris Venimus"

 

[Gunner_45]

The look of that vent delete is really growing on me.

Nice job.

Truck looks nice and clean.

 

[rascole]

Since it was in the shop already for the minor repairs, he only charged me $200. Well worth it.