Body Rips - Alternative Fix?

Willi-P · 09-13-2007, 02:11 PM

Hi folks! I hope you don't mind me jumping right in on this. You're probably gonna take one look at my post count and roll your eyes, but, please consider my question before you move on.

Before I throw my thoughts/questions out, you might wonder: "who am I and how did I get here?" This might help serve as a bit of an introduction: A hello, a confession and a thank you!

Ok, I have read every post in the main body rips thread and most of the other associated threads. WOW! My rig has the bulges and tiny little rips on both sides. Based on what I've seen here so far, I fully expect my tiny little rips to grow and grow into big ones.

I'm not gonna let this get me down. I love my FJ and won't let something like this spoil that!

My truck has an OME lift with heavies on both ends, Warn bumpers on both ends, a winch, BFG MT 285/70/17's among other less pertainent modifications. It's an '06 build (7/06 I think).

I have not documented the problem with the dealer yet, but, plan to BEFORE I do anything on my own (otherwise known as stupid).

So far, there seems to be no known solution to the problem. Even if Toyota is willing to put new panels into my truck, I'm not all that excited about letting them completely rebuild the front end of my rig especially since we have no idea if the current replacement panels will actually fix the problem.

At the same time, I don't want to just wait till the rips work their way all the way through.

Anyway, I've got an idea I'd like to run by y'all just to see what you think.

My idea is to drill two holes, maybe 1/4" diameter, in the panel, one directly above/adjacent to and one directly below the aflicted "box" area. I'm not exactly sure where to drill these holes, maybe in the 90 deg. bend where the "box" transistions to the vertical sheet metal. (There's not much room at the top, but I think you could do it). Then, cut a slot in the box area, right where the rips typically form, that connects the two holes.

I apologize if that is hard to follow, but the idea would be to allow the the panel to flex where it needs to. It's obviously going to flex, so why not let it? The holes, where the slot terminates, would hopefully prevent the rips from propagating any further.

I hope you'll think about my idea a little bit and let me know what you think about it. I respect your opinions and thoughts. Maybe y'all have other ideas. I'd love the hear them. Thanks!

JFiddy · 09-13-2007, 02:16 PM

This plan has a certain brilliance to it. And it would probably work. Great Idea!

**MudLovingFJ** · 09-13-2007, 02:16 PM

dont touch the panels.

if you take it in to toyota once they figure out the perfect fix for it and they see that they will not fix your truck for you.

for now the best thing to do is to take it in and have it documented. show the service manager the main thread and make them aware of it if they are not already.

Willi-P · 09-13-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

MudLovingFJ previously said:

dont touch the panels.

if you take it in to toyota once they figure out the perfect fix for it and they see that they will not fix your truck for you.

for now the best thing to do is to take it in and have it documented. show the service manager the main thread and make them aware of it if they are not already.

That a great point Mud! I have thought about that too. And, I think you're probably right.

I wonder though if the problem is previously documented then they'ed know the issue existed prior to my tinkering.

I guess I'm also just a little bit afraid they'll take look at my rig and say: "No soup for you!"

**MudLovingFJ** · 09-13-2007, 02:25 PM

just take it in and have it documented. toyota will take care of everything once they figure it all out. im going down to the body shop in a few to check out my rig. it is the first to have the issue fixed. i will keep updating the origional body rip thread, so stay tuned.

and good seinfeld reference.

Willi-P · 09-13-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

MudLovingFJ previously said:

just take it in and have it documented. toyota will take care of everything once they figure it all out. im going down to the body shop in a few to check out my rig. it is the first to have the issue fixed. i will keep updating the origional body rip thread, so stay tuned.

and good seinfeld reference.

I appreciate your input. And, I have followed your posts on the big body rips thread. I'll continue to do so! Best of luck to you!

highbeams · 09-13-2007, 03:01 PM

I would say that cutting the fenders would get a negative response from Toyota, I would not do it and will allow them to figure out what is happening.
Such as I worry about those who body mount clearenced, what is going be said about that.

DEEZUS · 09-13-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Willi-P previously said:

I appreciate your input. And, I have followed your posts on the big body rips thread. I'll continue to do so! Best of luck to you!

Willi: I would not modify your panels until you have gotten an official decision from Toyota. However I understand your concern about preventing these cracks from becoming inherently worse. I had another idea for a "bolt-on" sort of "band-aid" solution that I posted in the main body rip thread. I think this way when you go to Toyota you can remove it to avoid any type of argument/dispute.

Here is a piece of my post where I discussed the "band-aid" fix:

I'm glad to hear Toyota is getting to work on this but I'm sure the solution/remedy will not arrive quickly. I'd like to take some precautionary measures now rather than wait for something to happen.

While I was checking my FJ for damage I noticed two M6 (I think) threaded holes on the passenger fender wall.. They are on either side of the crumple zone where the tears are appearing. The drivers side has a similar layout but they have brackets fastened to them.. (perhaps they are there for Left hand/Right hand drive versions of the FJ.. Prado??)

I was thinking of just cutting up a piece of 1/8-1/4" flat stock (4130.. or alum?..) and drilling 2 clearance holes for some M6 screws/fasteners to overlay the weak area (side and top, L-shaped stock perhaps: the flat stock mounted vertically would give a good inertia value for resistance of cycles found during normal driving; highway etc. And the horizontal piece would give a good resistance for resiting twist; crawling, articulation etc).. I think this may be sufficient to prevent further "damage." That way I can remove the "fix" later if/when Toyota comes up with a solution.

Let me know your thoughts.. I think it may be ok for a temporary/preventative fix.

***LandCruiserSteve*** · 09-13-2007, 09:03 PM

Quote:

MudLovingFJ previously said:

just take it in and have it documented. toyota will take care of everything once they figure it all out. im going down to the body shop in a few to check out my rig. it is the first to have the issue fixed.

Quote:

highbeams previously said:

I would say that cutting the fenders would get a negative response from Toyota, I would not do it and will allow them to figure out what is happening.

X2. One of the biggest problems that continues to reveal itself within these threads, is the needless panic that many are giving into. A couple members have appropriately called it "the sky is falling" syndrome.

The knee-jerk reactions of trying to create a DIY interim / temporary fix will only result in delays (or maybe even denials) on getting your own FJ eventually dealt with properly by Toyota. Patience being a virtue is an absolute must on something like this. So, sit back, and take your time watching this unfold to see exactly where this is going. But in the mean time, be rest assured that the sky isn't falling.

**MudLovingFJ** · 09-13-2007, 09:18 PM

well said steve.