body panel replacement

[sean_b]

hi folks
the fixing of the bongo from my accident before christmas is now top of the list. i am not sure what to do, repair and sell, repair convert and sell, break or sell as a project. thing is i am outta work and only 3rd party fire, theft insured so all costs i gotta find. i need to replace the front and rear nearside panels and a side door. the front quarter panel is a simple replace as is the side door but the rear panel is wreaked as is the post that the side door fits to. my question is how easy/hard is it to change the front panel and door? if i can cut the cost down and let the pros sort out the back panel i might be able to afford to fix it.

[haydn callow]

Front wing and door are easy enough.......the rear Quater panel is a cut and weld job so not so easy....your problem will be the Door support piller......I'm surprised it is not a write off.......Sounds a expensive job whichever way you progress.......are the bumpers not also damaged ??

[sean_b]

cheers haydn,
are the panels bolted or welded? i know the back panel needs welded on so the cost i can do nothing about, also the back post will need cut out, my mech reckoned 2k as the rear wheel arch and inner body is fecked and needs beat out to some order. the rear bumper corner is missing and the front 1 is cracked slightly but i do alot of fibreglass and carbon work making kiteboards so i will repair these myself. will try and add a pic of the damage.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... .533174745

[francophile1947]

That link is to Facebook - no use without a login

[bigdaddycain]

Front wing and sliding side door is a bolt on/off job.

You'll probably have to get "au fait" with the sliding door removal/re-fitting to determine the shut line for the sliding door to the rear of the bongo (and front of the door too depending on the damage situation) Best to have a helper to position the door, that door gets very heavy after a while, and it's probably an idea to remove the glass from the door for two reasons... It'll make the door lighter to manouvre, and less chance of the glass getting damaged if the door does fall/get dropped upon fitting/removal.

[sean_b]

hope this works

[sean_b]

ya, worked, cheers for the replies as well

[You've Been Bongod]

sean give ian taylor a call on 07980616117 i have had a word with him and he said contact him and he should be able to fix for you

tell him carl sent you

[missfixit70]

sean give ian taylor a call on 07980616117 i have had a word with him and he said contact him and he should be able to fix for you

tell him carl sent you

Long journey from Belfast

[You've Been Bongod]

ian get get it recovered though kirsty

[The Great Pretender]

Sean, nothing is impossible there, the problem will be getting the shut lines right. That is where the professionals come in. It looks an expensive repair, you can't simply pop on the wing and doors after the pro has worked on it. Has the insurance company written it off? If so that will cause extra problems. If you have the ability to break it you may make a decent return.
Good luck however you decide to proceed.

[sean_b]

yeah think the long drive to england is out, still lookin at options and yet to get it to a pro body guy for costing.
regards breaking myself i am not sure if it would work for me being in NI. we got only a few bongos here and i am sure the additional carriage to uk mainland will have others searching more local.

on the insurance end, as i am 3rd party fire and theft i havent informed my insurance company as i dont feel they need to know.

still need it up on a ramp to check underside but the sill aint broke so hoping all is good. will keep you all informed as to how i go.

[sean_b]

today was the day for inspection from the pros.
1st thing this morning up on the ramp, no worries there.
drove to 1st body guy 2200 for new complete spray and all parts fitted, supplied by me.
second guy 2100.
was driving home thinking at roughly 2600 all in thats not cheap.

anyway decided to revisit the scene of the crime and see if i could pick up the rear bumper corner. driving back was unerving to say the least. when i got there, i stopped. got out i was so focused on looking for the bumper, which i found, score, that i missed the 4m tall 3 steel section wide road sign that was 20 feet behind me. when i seen it, i near shit. i would not have walked away had i hit it.



drove back home thinkin, feck it, its only money i'm here and went to check another guy and he quoted 1500 for new all over spray with me supplying the parts. all in i reckon 2k will sort it. whats most of think?

cheers
sean b

[stuc]

Hi i am a painter turned estimator now working at a college traning people to pass their vehicle damage assessing exam.I think the first prices were a bit steep but the last one seems ok only if he is any good.Depending on his labour rate(bodyshop average £30-£35 per hour)you are looking at about 40-50 hours work,about a full week which i think it would take to repair this.Please bear in mind though the Bongo would be in the shop longer than this as most shops calculate jobs at about 4 hours per day. Also make sure he is good because you still want a good job done not a cheap one.Hope you get sorted and post some pics when finished.
Stuc

[sean_b]

folks, with my rear panel and post well smashed in i found the seat belt wont pull out. should i source another 1 or is it likely the bent bodywork is stopping it from moving and might free up when repaired

sean b