Looks like I need some new doors!

[Mikey von]

We went on a backcountry backpacking trip in the South Warner Wilderness (far NE California). The 6 mile road to the trailhead was billed as rough, tight, and 4x4 only. They weren't lying. It was the roughest (most fun) wheeling I ever have done. Unfortunately, I am inexperienced and potentially not to skilled. I kissed a tree with the passenger side of my suburban (twice). It was tight, I spun the rear wheel which slid me into the tree, then I had issues getting off the tree and got the rear door as well. More pics to come soon (I think my buddy took some video.

 

[dremu]

Naw, it's just pinstriping.

Also, I seem to recall people talking about removing the door panel, putting in a deflated basketball or football, and pumping it up to pop the sheetmetal back.

Plus I think you're kidding. But it looks good!

-- A

 

[jrdtckr]

looks like you had some fun!!!

 

[GWeakland620]

Body Modifications by Mother Nature

Sounds like a cologne or clothing line haha.

 

[82355]

Why smash up another set of doors?

Martin

 

[6872xtc]

Martin makes a valid point. What do you want to do with the truck? If you are going to use it, you could potentially dent it again. I think it would look worse with non-matching paint than dents.

 

[diesel4me]

You need body armor,please don't dent up any more "nice" doors!..

There's a few hundred guys with Burbs in the rust belt that would gladly have swapped their doors with rot on the bottoms, for your rust free ones,before they got dented .....

 

[Mikey von]

I agree that I do need armor. The plans for the sub are up in the air. It will be a woods truck that is for sure. It is also a daily driver, when we need a 2nd DD. I would love for it to be our family tow rig.

My wife drives it more than I do and she requires that it look like not a hoopty. She is far too cute for me to say otherwise. especially if she is willing to drive my truck. So right there is the easy answer for why I need new doors to smash up.

I am in love with my drive-train. But she will need quite a bit of interior and exterior work to be a family tow pig. The plan has always been interior, bumpers, sliders, and paint among other things. Who knows, I am a busy man.

And yes, it was a ton of fun. I would definitely like to do some more wheeling.

 

[6.2Blazer]

For anybody who wants to keep the body half-way straight and still run some trails the first modification should be body armor. Most people I know, including myself, wait until they completely beat up the body before armor. Mine is a pure trail rig but I got tired of it looking like a crushed beer can so slapped on new front fenders and rear quarters. Then modified the armor for more protection and have thus kept it reasonably straight for years.

For your type of vehicle some sliders with kickouts right before the rear tire would have prevented most or all of those dents. The further the sliders stick out from the body the more likely you will get hung up on them in ruts, but on the other hand the more body protection they offer. Based on that it depends on what you value the most about the truck....looks or pure off-road performance.

 

[diesel4me]

The way people drive around here (eyes on the PHONE ,not the road,or just plain sucidal!),I'd not mind having a full wrap of 2-1/2" schedule 40 all around the bottom of the truck that sticks out a few inches to keep the rockers and door bottoms intact..

I've seen an older Burb running around that someone had,with "running boards" that looked like the typical aftermarket ones--but his were 8" channel iron!....

 

[blowedupmotor87]

It just adds character!!!! My DD/wheeling rig only has 2 straight body panels- the two front fenders! (almost completely wiped one out on a tree last weekend, just barely missed it, can see a few little scrape marks on the trim around my headlight!)

I wish you were closer! If you do decide to take those doors off, I would love to have them for my crew cab project! (they are still in better shape than mine!) You're way far away though, shipping would be killer!!!!

 

[454Sub]

Sliders may have prevented some of that, but in the end, no matter what, damage will occur. Its just the nature of the beast. But a nice set of sliders that stick out past the rockers a few inches may minimize your body damage. Not to mention stiffen it up, and possibly give her a nice step up as well. Win win win win.