[Vandude]

I’m looking to buy this transit but it has a big dent in the roof.
Anybody have knowledge of repair costs?
I’m not looking for an exact price, but a ballpark figure.
$500? $5000? They’re willing to knock some $ off but Is it worth it?

thank you.

 

[tngw1500se]

The right way to fix it is to replace the roof panel and repaint. We had to do that on the wife's Honda. It was a smaller dent but hers also needed a windshield. It was 10K.

I'd consider popping that out myself from the inside and hiding it with a lightbar and/or wind deflector if it bothered me.

 

[surly Bill]

Is repair necessary? Does it leak?
If this is just going to be another campervan, and not a suburban status symbol (how COULD it be? It's a FORD!)?
If just making a DIY RV, I'd pound out the dents from the inside best I could, making sure not to cause any cracks or perforations in the skin. Then there are numerous methods of concealing the amateur bodywork, if that's important.

If this is for a business and image is important, a professional bodyshop might be able to pound it out and bondo to showroom appearance. Dunno what that costs these days, but likely $1500+.

 

[Vandude]

The right way to fix it is to replace the roof panel and repaint. We had to do that on the wife's Honda. It was a smaller dent but hers also needed a windshield. It was 10K.

I'd consider popping that out myself from the inside and hiding it with a lightbar and/or wind deflector if it bothered me.

I like that idea. Pound it out and hide it. It's going to be my work. Van and/ a few times a year camper van. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Vandude]

Is repair necessary? Does it leak?
If this is just going to be another campervan, and not a suburban status symbol (how COULD it be? It's a FORD!)?
If just making a DIY RV, I'd pound out the dents from the inside best I could, making sure not to cause any cracks or perforations in the skin. Then there are numerous methods of concealing the amateur bodywork, if that's important.

If this is for a business and image is important, a professional bodyshop might be able to pound it out and bondo to showroom appearance. Dunno what that costs these days, but likely $1500+.

Thanks, it's a good idea. It's going to be a work/ couple times a year. Camper. Doesn't have to be perfect but my wife is a little finicky. But she won't be driving it.

 

[gregoryx]

Get a couple rough quotes on repair and use them to negotiate.

Then put on a simple "roof rack" with a nice long wind deflector that covers the damage after purchase.

 

[tngw1500se]

...... my wife is a little finicky. But she won't be driving it.

Sorry to hear about your wife. I have one of those too. It's a burden some of use have to carry. Still can't figure out why a finicky women like her would marry me. Must have been the sex, surely wasn't for the money.

 

[Vandude]

Sorry to hear about your wife. I have one of those too. It's a burden some of use have to carry. Still can't figure out why a finicky women like her would marry me. Must have been the sex, surely wasn't for the money.

She's a good wife, best decision I ever made.

 

[tngw1500se]

She's a good wife, best decision I ever made.

Good answer. Best to play it safe. As you can guess, mine doesn't follow the forums I'm on.

 

[Vandude]

Good answer. Best to play it safe. As you can guess, mine doesn't follow the forums I'm on.

 

[tngw1500se]