Fixing dented window frames
#1
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 High Output
Fixing dented window frames
So I managed to roll my Jeep out on the trail a week or two ago. Not much damage other than a cracked windscreen, broken light bar mounts, a dented fender and messed up rain gutter. The only repair that worries me is the rear quarter panel window got smashed, and the frame around it is slightly dented. I've attached a picture for reference.
Is this something that is fairly easy to take care of at home in an afternoon in order to get the Jeep back on the road? I've been told by a buddy a hi-lift jack would work to push the frame out. Am I better off taking a rubber hammer to the frame to get it back into place, or is there an even better option? I want to get it remedied as cheap as possible because I'll have to have to replace the glass.
Any recommendations?
The Damage
My baby as it should look
Is this something that is fairly easy to take care of at home in an afternoon in order to get the Jeep back on the road? I've been told by a buddy a hi-lift jack would work to push the frame out. Am I better off taking a rubber hammer to the frame to get it back into place, or is there an even better option? I want to get it remedied as cheap as possible because I'll have to have to replace the glass.
Any recommendations?
The Damage
My baby as it should look
#2
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Sorry, but that's not "slightly" dented but rather all jacked up. I'm not sure I would tackle that job as a DIYer. I've been doing bodywork and paint for years, but I would not take on that job. It would be next to impossible to get that right and never have that quarter window leak. A rubber hammer wouldn't put a dent in it so to speak. A jack would just bend both bottom and top frame out of proportion. Best and easiest fix would probably be to cut bad metal out and weld good metal in from a donor, and even that would be really tricky to get the window frame perfect.
You know what they say, if you're going to play, be prepared to pay.
You know what they say, if you're going to play, be prepared to pay.
#3
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Year: 1996
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Alright, I was praying for the best but prepared for the worst. A guy I know has a friend in LA who thinks he can get that out. Shouldn't be too hard to get a shop to do.
Nice dent pun too.
Nice dent pun too.
#4
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Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Only hope of straightening that out to get glass back in it is by doing a several sheet metal pulls with a frame rack and some massaging. Or like the above poster said, cutting it out and sectioning in new sheet metal.
Trying to hammer it out is just going to make things worse.
Trying to hammer it out is just going to make things worse.
#5
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
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Looks like i'll be taking it down to my buddies friend in LA to get the work done. He apparently has some fancy machine that will straighten it.
Luckily, that window is the last one I need to since there are more pressing items to take care of first, so i'm just planning ahead here.
Luckily, that window is the last one I need to since there are more pressing items to take care of first, so i'm just planning ahead here.
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#9
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Year: 1996
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He does but he's down in LA. I'm just looking for general prices from a few places but just seeing if anyone knew a great place near SB. I'd prefer not to drive far to get quotes. I just was wanting to know how much to budget to get it fixed
#11
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Year: 1996
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I'm just looking to fix it enough to get some glass back in it. I'm not too worried about hiding it. I'll be keeping this thing for a very long time so i'm not too worried about cosmetic issues.
#12
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Year: 1994
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Its going to have to get ground down to bare metal for the pulls so you'll want to have them spray it in primer or something when they are done.
Going body labor rate in ca depending where youre at is 55-65 an hour.