First Car, have some questions | 1989 K5 Blazer

[coleman23]

Old bump here, but unfortunately i got into a fender bender today and slid on bad ice right into a telephone pole. I need to replace the passenger fender, bumper, grill, passenger side lights, and possibly the passenger door

Im not experienced in autobody at all, and was wondering what you guys recommend I do from here.

 

[Abusfullofnuns]

Damn. Sorry about that luck. You could look for a front clip and replace it. It’s all bolt on as long as the mounting point aren’t tweaked.

 

[diesel4me]

A good body man could pull that out and paint it so you'd never know it happened..OEM rust free sheet metal is always better than aftermarket replacement parts...

 

[muddermilitia]

If the top seals and doesn't leak, I think I would leave it on.

Very nice looking K5

The best part of owning a K5 is being able to take the top off. Softopper.com is the only company making a soft top at the moment. Your only other option is to have a custom top made by a local boat company.

 

[coleman23]

Brought it to 3 different autobody places and all three had similar answers,
Door can maybe be saved but if they could they would get a new one. fender, right headlight bucket and front bumper are all screwed. None of them can make an estimate for insurance because they cant find oem used parts in good shape. I cant seem to find any either.

If I do decide to go aftermarket, where would you guys recommend?

 

[imiceman44]

Brought it to 3 different autobody places and all three had similar answers,
Door can maybe be saved but if they could they would get a new one. fender, right headlight bucket and front bumper are all screwed. None of them can make an estimate for insurance because they cant find oem used parts in good shape. I cant seem to find any either.

If I do decide to go aftermarket, where would you guys recommend?

It's pathetic how the art of bodywork has been lost and it's become more of a bolt on art.
Those parts are easily fixed and instead they are getting rid of original parts and replacing them with garbage

 

[rampage]

It's pathetic how the art of bodywork has been lost and it's become more of a bolt on art.
Those parts are easily fixed and instead they are getting rid of original parts and replacing them with garbage

Time=$$
$100 and 30 mins per panel to replace vs several hours with a hammer and dolly @ 75/hr, not to mention the time for body filler and sanding.

 

[jekquistk5]

Something similar happened to me with my first K5. I think i was 19-20. I pulled the front fender off and used a set of harbor frieght body hammers. I used a chunk of wood on the painted side. Looked good from 10 feet after that. I suggest you try pulling the fender, you really can't mess it up any more than it already is. Worst case you aren't happy with it and slap some repop fenders on it.

 

[jeff in co]

^^^ Agreed. Now is the time to try your body work skills. All you can do is improve it! Take your time and see what you can do.....
In the meantime, watch craigslist and comb your junkyards for those OEM pieces. May take time but be patient.

 

[diesel4me]

I know a few guys (or knew,I should say,they may be dead or retired by now! )--who'd just stud weld a few studs on that fender and use a morgan knocker to pull the dents back out--sure it takes more time,and costs more,but it is worth it to retain the OEM parts in the long run..those china fenders and repair panels wont be as thick nor will they not rust right away..

 

[imiceman44]

Time=$$
$100 and 30 mins per panel to replace vs several hours with a hammer and dolly @ 75/hr, not to mention the time for body filler and sanding.

I understand why but remember the replacement is not a good replacement, just a look alike.
If they had to get original parts which they should, it would not be cheaper to replace