rmaynard 16,737 #1 Posted 6 hours ago Some of you members who go to the Wheel Horse show, know my Grandson Mason. Well on December 14, we had our first snow, and Mason has his first time driving in it. Unfortunately, he and his Subaru Outback had an untimely meeting with an F-350 pickup truck, his own. This was in the driveway. The F-350 won. He was quite upset but said that it would be back on the road in time for reopening of schools. So, Mason did not want to report it to insurance for obvious reasons, and he did not want to take it to a body shop, so he proceeded to disassemble it. After determining there was no frame or engine damage, he started his search for parts. He found a bumper cover, left fender, and hood, all the same color. He purchased a new core support and radiator, two new headlights, and a grill. He brought the car over to my house yesterday. The whole job was done outside in 15 to 35 degree weather. Total cost? $1400. That's perseverance. 8 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 24,109 #2 Posted 6 hours ago Impressive! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 10,808 #3 Posted 6 hours ago It is very difficult to find a Salvage Facility that is willing to sell a nose that is not complete - unless the RF fender was already damaged on the donor vehicle. Front end crash parts are always in demand. Keep the spare set of fog lights - being down low, they are very susceptible to stone damage... Nice job on the alignment and gaps of the panels. Had the hit been lower and the airbag deployed, it could have been a game changer. The OE core support - was it welded or bolted in? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,737 #4 Posted 4 hours ago 1 hour ago, ri702bill said: The OE core support - was it welded or bolted in? OE was spot welded. He drilled them out and bolted the replacement. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 10,808 #5 Posted 4 hours ago 5 minutes ago, rmaynard said: OE was spot welded. He drilled them out and bolted the replacement. That takes gloves & patience !!. You think you have them all & there are a few you missed! Done a few replacement panels; I would drill 3/8" holes and braze them on using the approximate locations of the original welds. Done right, it's hard to tell the difference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darrenw85 692 #6 Posted 4 hours ago Good job Mason!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,737 #7 Posted 3 hours ago 37 minutes ago, ri702bill said: That takes gloves & patience !!. You think you have them all & there are a few you missed! Done a few replacement panels; I would drill 3/8" holes and braze them on using the approximate locations of the original welds. Done right, it's hard to tell the difference. He did the best he could all things considered. He doesn't have any welding equipment, but his dad's garage is like a hardware store. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 10,808 #8 Posted 3 hours ago The next owner may have questions, but the results look great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 9,331 #9 Posted 3 hours ago It doesn't take much to bend them up now. they fold pretty easy by design. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 10,808 #10 Posted 11 minutes ago 2 hours ago, JoeM said: they fold pretty easy by design. Crumple zones - engineered energy absorbing and dissipating areas. Safer cabin designs. Windshields that stay put are actually past of the airbag deployment system. All good, but costly stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
