2G Fix or Find a Shell?

sinned4g63 · Oct 28, 2019

Truly a fix or pass situation. About a month ago my car was totaled, as I was leaving my neighborhood literally no more than 2 minutes up the road a damn Kia Soul ran a stop sign and hit me in the front passenger fender. Unfortunately it caved in my fender and the apron behind it crushing my airbox and intercooler piping. The intercooler is damaged, and needless to say the headlight along with the fender, hood, and bumper. The suspension is damaged and looks like the strut. Looking at the frame if the car seems questionable, a front support may possibly be a must as well as I'm not sure if I'd be able to straighten it enough for a headlight to fit again. The front end from the best of my measuring abilities seems shifted about 3/8ths of an inch at least. Let me know what you all think as I'm still keeping my options open at the moment.

The reason I'm even entertaining fixing it is because of how clean it is. Very minimal rust on the bottom and throughout the vehicle which is rare to find in my area and the east coast. My next best option not fixing it is to find a shell and transplant what I have because the engine is a hair below 100k but I'd be very picky.

EVLGSX · Oct 28, 2019

Maybe a little sway.......gotta measure but u could save it

Look up how to square the nose so you can see yourself how much it swayed if at all.

Changing the radiator support is very easy so dont worry about that. Id say as long as it doesnt need a pull its an easy job.

sinned4g63 · Oct 28, 2019

EVLGSX said:
Maybe a little sway.......gotta measure but u could save it

Look up how to square the nose so you can see yourself how much it swayed if at all.

Changing the radiator support is very easy so dont worry about that. Id say as long as it doesnt need a pull its an easy job.

What do you mean by the sway? And the nice thing is its parked next to a friends hes trying to sell, that's how I got the measurements I already took. The front up towards the bumper is off by about 3/8ths of an inch best I can tell. The second measurement just in front of the strut tower mounts looks good though. Picture 10 shows a little concern for the mount itself, looks like it cracked a hair from the fender rail flexing.

Bleakley · Oct 28, 2019

I live in PA, but am willing to travel the distance for a clean shell.

Sure you can p*ss around / play around fixing that if you’re into it for the learning experience. That’s definitely saveable.

But from what I’ve seen price wise —> Spend a little bit and get a shell. These cars are pretty fookin cheap.
Almost kinda irks me seeing how much a lot of us in the community spend, but the rate of return is SSOOO Low...

I have been in and out of Nissan 240sx’s since 17yo and currently own another one I’m about to start a project on. One thing I like about them is the ROI is much higher per part / per capita (the right build or the right mods together increase the value actually somewhat proportionally). With 1G and 2G DSM’s —> definitely not the case. Lol.

Edit: Providing an example —> Relatively stock GST goes for what? 1500-3500.
EVO 16g or even 20g and supporting mods is still like 2500-3500.

EVLGSX · Oct 28, 2019

Tram gauge makes the measuring easy, you are looking for symmetry and considering the direction everything got moved as you do. A tape meassure can be used for this with a helper instead, but this tool shows you the idea. use the holes in the engine bay that are symmetrical to "X" the engine bay.

https://www.gradeatools.com/DentFix...CNMDB5E1ucIM2j2XphpvvrBMwNnOW0JBoCXc8QAvD_BwE

Sway would be referring to heavy gauge steel that may have bent/moved (main frame rails) There is one image out of the many you uploaded that is concerning, it shows a little ripple........but it might be okay

NINJA EDIT- yes picture 10 tells you what it needs. look for more of that. Not sure how you are going to pull that without a proper setup.

A fortunately positioned tree, creativity, and a "come-a-long" could do it. Id hate to see somebody with zero experience try this though........

sinned4g63 · Oct 28, 2019

Bleakley said:
I live in PA, but am willing to travel the distance for a clean shell.

Sure you can p*ss around / play around fixing that if you’re into it for the learning experience. That’s definitely saveable.

But from what I’ve seen price wise —> Spend a little bit and get a shell. These cars are pretty fookin cheap.
Almost kinda irks me seeing how much a lot of us in the community spend, but the rate of return is SSOOO Low...

I have been in and out of Nissan 240sx’s since 17yo and currently own another one I’m about to start a project on. One thing I like about them is the ROI is much higher per part / per capita (the right build or the right mods together increase the value actually somewhat proportionally). With 1G and 2G DSM’s —> definitely not the case. Lol.

Edit: Providing an example —> Relatively stock GST goes for what? 1500-3500.
EVO 16g or even 20g and supporting mods is still like 2500-3500.

We can talk about the shell if it comes to that, I'm certainly not opposed to it but again I'm very picky with trying to find a clean replacement to begin with. I do also have the budget to take it to a shop if neccessary.

sinned4g63 · Oct 28, 2019

EVLGSX said:
Tram gauge makes the measuring easy, you are looking for symmetry and considering the direction everything got moved as you do. A tape meassure can be used for this with a helper instead, but this tool shows you the idea. use the holes in the engine bay that are symmetrical to "X" the engine bay.

https://www.gradeatools.com/DentFix...CNMDB5E1ucIM2j2XphpvvrBMwNnOW0JBoCXc8QAvD_BwE

Sway would be referring to heavy gauge steel that may have bent/moved (main frame rails) There is one image out of the many you uploaded that is concerning, it shows a little ripple........but it might be okay

NINJA EDIT- yes picture 10 tells you what it needs. look for more of that. Not sure how you are going to pull that without a proper setup.

A fortunately positioned tree, creativity, and a "come-a-long" could do it. Id hate to see somebody with zero experience try this though........

My step dad seems confident he has something suitable to fix it, I forget what he called it but he says it's what body shops use to realign body panels. Thats why I took measurements and detailed pics.

On the other end the friend who's driveway its currently sitting in seems confident some strategically placed hammer smacks can get things good enough... though I do have the budget to take it to a proper shop regardless.

BLACK'98DSM · Oct 28, 2019

Just know it's a bi*** to get those headlight bolt holes to line back up. When I was fixing my accident a couple months ago I spent a few hours hammering sheet metal in all directions.

Your accident looks similar to mine, but more severe. If you've got a measuring tape, a square, hammer/sledge hammer, and some wood blocks you can give it your best and see what happens. Just be patient with it. It will not be easy nor quick.

sinned4g63 · Oct 29, 2019

BLACK'98DSM said:
Just know it's a bi*** to get those headlight bolt holes to line back up. When I was fixing my accident a couple months ago I spent a few hours hammering sheet metal in all directions.

Your accident looks similar to mine, but more severe. If you've got a measuring tape, a square, hammer/sledge hammer, and some wood blocks you can give it your best and see what happens. Just be patient with it. It will not be easy nor quick.

You actually reshaped the headlight support instead of cutting it off a donor? OMG

Do you have any before and after pictures?

sinned4g63 · Oct 29, 2019

EVLGSX said:
Tram gauge makes the measuring easy, you are looking for symmetry and considering the direction everything got moved as you do. A tape meassure can be used for this with a helper instead, but this tool shows you the idea. use the holes in the engine bay that are symmetrical to "X" the engine bay.

https://www.gradeatools.com/DentFix...CNMDB5E1ucIM2j2XphpvvrBMwNnOW0JBoCXc8QAvD_BwE

Sway would be referring to heavy gauge steel that may have bent/moved (main frame rails) There is one image out of the many you uploaded that is concerning, it shows a little ripple........but it might be okay

NINJA EDIT- yes picture 10 tells you what it needs. look for more of that. Not sure how you are going to pull that without a proper setup.

A fortunately positioned tree, creativity, and a "come-a-long" could do it. Id hate to see somebody with zero experience try this though........

Thinking last night and talking with the friend who's keeping it for me.. Think it might be easier to just cut the ripples out and reweld in a new apron with support? Or maybe get creative and fab a duct to the air filter..

BLACK'98DSM · Oct 29, 2019

sinned4g63 said:
You actually reshaped the headlight support instead of cutting it off a donor? Do you have any before and after pictures?

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You probably can't tell from the image but the headlight was pushed inward a full inch. And the fender support pushed towards the engine a half inch. It wasn't a fun job but it had to be done.

BLACK'98DSM · Oct 29, 2019

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After 3 hours straight of hammering the hood still rubbed on the fender, and the bumper rail still didn't want to slide in.

sinned4g63 · Oct 30, 2019

@BLACK'98DSM looks good! How does the support look after the reshaping? Still "pop the hood at meets" worthy? Haha

silvreclips · Oct 30, 2019

I replaced a core support a few years ago. It really wasn't all that bad, but nothing else was bent, so the new one went right on and lined up perfect.

BLACK'98DSM · Oct 31, 2019

sinned4g63 said:
@BLACK'98DSM looks good! How does the support look after the reshaping? Still "pop the hood at meets" worthy? Haha

If you look real close you can find some imperfections, but yea I still pop the hood at the shows. From a distance you'd never be able to tell. I'm pretty proud of being able to fix it up. Just not proud of crashing LOL

sinned4g63 · Nov 1, 2019

BLACK'98DSM said:
If you look real close you can find some imperfections, but yea I still pop the hood at the shows. From a distance you'd never be able to tell. I'm pretty proud of being able to fix it up. Just not proud of crashing

We'll have to compare when/if I fix mine!

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