Should've kept the '01

[wyosteve]

Just need to vent a bit. New truck is 6 wks. old. Last night we get golf ball size hail. Hood, roof and right side has damage. Danged cheap sheet metal. Hope the painless dent folks can get it restored.

 

[DPelletier]

My '01 went to the paintless dent repair guys three times. I'm not sure if the 2nd gen sheet metal was stronger or not. All the dents were fixed so well that I couldn't tell where they used to be with the exception of one on the rear wheel well area that they couldn't access.

Good luck



Dave

 

[wyosteve]

Well, she goes in 6/1 for repair. Estimate was $3009. Most can be fixed the paintless dent method so they say. At least my ins. co. is good to deal with and will foot the bill for a rental vehicle.

 

[TPCDrafting]

Steve, sorry to hear this about your truck. We went through something similar 2 summers ago. We had our brand new horse trailer home for 3 days and the hail came through here and trashed the roof. Again, Allstate took care of it. Hopefully they take care of it for ya.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Yeesh! What a bummer. Sorry to hear about the misfortune

 

[crobertson1]

Being a PDR guy myself, some advice, be careful about where you take it. There are some real hacks running around. There is a difference in skill levels just like any other profession. You don't want some trainee working on your truck.

Craig

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Between my new truck and my '01 I would say the sheetmetal is about the same thickness.



Vaughn

 

[DGFoster]

I have noticed the metal on the new trucks seem to be thinner that my 2000 was.

 

[DocDetonancour]

I had a new 82 Comaro get hailed and it looked like a ball pien was used on all the flat areas. Even that far back hail can ruin a finish. Good luck. . Doc

 

[DPelletier]

crobertson1,

good advice. The guys I went to were obviously craftsmen. You guys can do one heck of a job!

This whole sheetmetal thing is bugging the crap out of me. As the owner of a sheetmetal fabricating company, sheetmetal is "kinda my thing", so I hereby commit to measuring the gauge thickness used on my '03 vs. a late 2nd gen! Wish I'd have done it before I got rid of my '01. 5.



Dave





Dave

 

[wyosteve]

Good advice on using a reputable shop. Fortunately my ins. co. will allow me to use the shop I normally do which has been in business over 20 yrs. Probably the best in town. Their work for me in the past has been excellent. Not all the dents can be removed the paintless way, so they will have to fill and repaint some as well. They estimate 5-7 days in the shop. I'll probably get a Hyundai for a rental!

 

[crobertson1]

Hyundai? NOT Sweet! Not being a sheet metal expert or anything, but the metal on the new trucks "feels" the same as the older ones. The only cars that "feel" thicker are Volvos. Of course, the really old cars are made of "real" metal. Harley fuel tanks are made of some REALLY stout stuff!

Craig

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

This whole sheetmetal thing is bugging the crap out of me

Me too. Not that there is anything I can do about it. But if I was a wagering man I would bet the Gen 3s are thinner.



DPelletier do us all a favor and put this mule down. I figure either way I win. If it is thinner I can puff out my scrawny chest and say "See I told you so!" since I have been griping about it since day one. Or if they are the same thickness I be so happy that I'll do you all a favor and not post for a solid week!Oo.

 

[DPelletier]

OTD,

Not sure I could live without your unique perspective for a whole week!

But OK, I promise to check. I could do mine in two minutes, but they'll probably throw me in jail if'n I start nosing around strange trucks with a measuring gauge in hand!

Wish me luck!



Dave

 

[TPCDrafting]

You guys take care of that, I'll do what I can to get a few shots of Steve toolin' around in his Hyundai.

 

[DPelletier]

Dave

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Steve toolin' around in his Hyundai.

Beep, beep! :-laf