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Ford F-150 Dented body - Seeking DIY advice - Pics
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mdccxxvii
New User
Jan 17, 2019, 7:55 PM
Post #1 of 4
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Ford F-150 Dented body - Seeking DIY advice - Pics
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I dented my work truck by turning into a steel box. It's not a huge deal, but I'd like to push the dent out a bit if I can. I'm looking for advice on the best way to do this, with limited/non-specialized tools that I can make or buy cheaply.
Ford F-150
Here is a side-by-side of the damaged side and the undamaged side:
https://imgur.com/a/vcooDZZ
My dad and I are thinking if I can jack up the car a bit and get under, I could get a long crowbar and a fulcrum up in the gap between the bed and the exterior, and I could gradually push out the dent by levering out the majority of the damage. It doesn't have to look perfect, but I'd like to improve it as much as I'm able.
Does this sound feasible for someone without experience to accomplish? If so, how long would I need to spend roughly? Does anyone have any other ideas for low-cost body repair in this situation?
Thanks in advance!!
Does this seem feasible for someone without any ex
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 17, 2019, 8:04 PM
Post #2 of 4
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Re: Ford F-150 Dented body - Seeking DIY advice - Pics
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You didn't post the year but if this is one of the late models made of aluminum, you can forget even trying. Aluminum doesn't straighten like steel.
Even if it's not, the bed is nearly impossible to repair. Most of it is double panel anyway. If you attempt to do anything with this, you can only make it a lot worse and stretch the metal so bad even the professionals won't be able to do anything with it.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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mdccxxvii
New User
Jan 17, 2019, 8:27 PM
Post #3 of 4
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Re: Ford F-150 Dented body - Seeking DIY advice - Pics
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Unfortunately didn't note the year, but I think it's 10th generation (1997-2004) based on the F-Series Wikipedia article. It has manual window roll up, if that can date it at all. Sorry, that's probably not much help.
Can you clarify what you mean by double panel? Looking underneath the truck earlier today, it looked like there was just a single panel that was dented, that went up to the top of the bed, over, and then down again (to form th bed proper). So there's about a three inch gap between the bed and the exterior panel that I could get a tool in.
I am concerned about the stretching that you mentioned though. Would carefully applying pressure to a small area on the inside of the damaged panel not work to gradually push the dent back out (assuming it's steel not aluminum)? Or were you talking about damaging the undented panel?
Thanks for answering!
(This post was edited by mdccxxvii on Jan 17, 2019, 8:31 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 18, 2019, 6:14 AM
Post #4 of 4
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Re: Ford F-150 Dented body - Seeking DIY advice - Pics
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I don't advise putting any sort of tool up there. Any force in any one spot will just create a puck that will make the issue worse. Any force to push that dent out has to be spread over a broad area with something like a flat piece of wood. The metal for the bed is far thicker and stronger than what you would find in other parts of the truck so repair is not easy. If the metal is already stretched, then it is never going to return to original shape.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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