Roof Damage: Need Advice

Some dickhead walked on the roof of my Taco while it was in a parking lot, and I'm not sure what to do about it. I pulled the big dents out with a suction cup, but the roof is still obviously damaged. Insurance will cover everything so this is not a money issue, but the body shops don't think that they can get the existing metal straight. Two estimates went right to cutting out the factory roof and welding in a new one. The insurance adjuster has advised against this, and I agree. They are working with me to try to encourage a shop to try to repair the factory roof before just cutting it away. Another option would be to not fix anything - a bummer on a 2 year old truck - and instead bolt on a roof rack to hide the damage. This is an access cab 2013, so a roof rack would require drilling - also something that makes me uncomfortable - and would need to be a basket style rack to hide everything (not just cut-down factory rails).

I need some opinions and perhaps some ideas regarding a rack vendor.

Thanks.

 

Wow sorry that happen. If it was me I would be leaning towards the roof basket fix. Take the pay off from insurance company and put the rest aside if the roof rack fix does not work for you. I based this on the quality or rather the lack of it from shops these days.

 

I'd do a Baja Flat Rack.

People from Ohio are assholes... I'm one of them

 

I like the looks of the Baja Racks, but my truck is an access cab without factory threaded inserts. I need something sized for an ACLB, and I'll have to drill my own holes.

I moved here for my job 20 years ago. Too flat.

 

3 WORDS>>> New Body Shop

 

No matter what you do, you're going to have to drill with a quality rack as an access cab owner. I went Yakima and my roof is fucked (abuse on my part). I wish I had done it right.

Yakima or Thule with a basket cost as much as Prinsu and Baja...

 

^^yes

 

Find a competent body shop. Those two sound a bit weak in the metal massage skills. Granted, it is thin metal and in an odd working position, but it's not impossible to deal with either.

Be glad you have a cooperative insurance adjuster.

Those are my opinions, as you requested.

If there is a shop in your area that does restorations or hot rod builds (high end metal, not plastic stuff) you might find a good metal man there.

If you have any local gatherings of street rods, hot rods, muscle cars, etc., that's a good place to go, look, compliment, and ask for references.

 

new roof means new windshield and a lot of bondo when they weld and grind
the new roof on....pass on that

it must be fixable

 

This is lame. Who the f*** walks on somebodys vehicles roof? If i saw somebody on my truck, things would get real ugly fast.

 

Maybe it would be a good time to install a sunroof?

 

What do you mean your roof is fucked? What happened, and what would you have done different?

Has anyone had experience with the Prinsu Accessrac: http://www.prinsudesignstudio.com/#!2nd-gen-tt-accessrac/c1lq1

Any other builders that make racks for access cabs out there?

 

That.
I've seen good body shops take out a whole-car-length sideswipe sans-bondo.

 

Post some pics. I have experience in roof/body repair and I can get some others to check it out and see if you need to get to another shop. Sounds like you do. Good luck.

 

As far as I know we are the only ones who make a roof rack specifically designed for your access cab. I think front runner did a cut down version for All-Pro's "Brownie" build but thats about it. There are a handful of people who have installed the accessrac on their truck. I can't speak for everyone but if I were to ask anyone specifically about their experience it would be NYCO. He installed his and it has been in constant use on some pretty awesome trails since spring.

 

I had my 90+ pound 17' canoe up there, and didn't have it supported past the cab. I may have tied it too tight to the rear of the truck and proceeded to drive at high speed down a really bad dirt road.

 

Paintless dent repair, especially if the paint isn't cracked.

Sorry about your truck. There are people that don't have respect for anyone or anything.

 

Love my Prinsu rack. I have a double cab. Wouldn't think twice about buying it again. That said I work with emotionally disturbed student's and I had a student jump up on my truck and try to cave the roof in. We hauled him down and the roof sustained a few small dents. and a foot dent I popped out. I put the rack on a week a later and have not looked back.

Now ask me about the 4k in damage to a coworker's Honda with a sunroof...

My two cents,

-Jon

 

I'm going to have the Dent Doctor come over for a free estimate. We'll see. I'm going to try a couple more shops too. Regardless, no new roof. Either they try to fix it without removing the factory roof or I go with the roof rack option.

 

I don't know why everyone is so afraid of cutting and installing a new roof. Sometimes that is the answer. A good body shop can do it with a minimum of bondo on the weld seams and you would never know it without removing the head liner or grinding off the paint. I have seen cars cut cut in half and you couldn't tell.