Wife ran into garage door - help

So… my wife ran the top of truck into the garage door (it was closing), got the shark fin snagged, which pushed down on the roof and it dented the roof pretty bad and also damaged the antenna. Also, and you cannot see it that well in the pictures, but there’s a large gap of maybe an 1/8” now between the antenna and the roof (the antenna cover) but the base seems to still be secured to the roof.

Body shop started talking about bondo and respraying and I said no way. Not because of the money but because that kind of work always has issues.

My other option is to take it to my ceramic guy who has a good PDR guy and he said they can drop the headliner, push the dent out, put a new antenna on flush (hopefully), put the headliner back, then the ceramic guy will paint correct. (I am meeting with them both tomorrow AM.)

The one thing that stresses me out the most is the messing around with the headliner. I’m OCD as fuck and have been told multiple times that once you remove it it will “never be the same” whatever that means. Will it rattle? Will there be gaps? Who knows. **shudder**

So … question… can you access the underside of the roof through the third brake light to swap antenna and do PDR? Why not do it that way? It appears to be right there.

I also thought to just leave it alone. Do nothing. If so, is there much risk that it’ll leak under the antenna? I know it’s bolted down but I don’t know if it got moved or if a gasket was dislodged (even though the base looks secure). I will always wonder if it is leaking. I hate that feeling.

Maybe try to take off the antenna cover and work with the sheetmetal then put on a new cover? The antenna is two pieces … but I have no idea how the top piece secures to the bottom piece (parts in the mail).

There seem to be no good options. I don’t mind spending money but I see no good path forward.

Any helpful advice welcome.


See dimple behind the shark fin.

this shows the whole roof is pushed down.

Gap under shark fin

 

Sorry OP!!

 

Insurance.

 

Yeah. I’m pretty sad. I spent a lot of effort getting this truck and making it how I wanted it. A lot of my enthusiasm around it now feels deflated. I’m not really interested in making an insurance claim. It’s not a financial issue it’s more that I don’t like the options to fixing it.

 

Looking for best methods of repair. Not asking about insurance.

 

Hard to say from pics but, I *think* a good PDR tech could work that back to mint.

 

Thanks bro hoping so. Is the headliner process less of a big deal than I’ve been told?

 

PDR Techs fear no headliner.

 

I would wonder about future leaks as well if you left as is. Not sure how else you would test other than to add water and see what happens. Me, I would intentionally hunt down a body shop or two that have a reputation of being expensive. Might be because they would fix correctly with minimal filler, and know how to put that headliner back on correctly if needed.

PDR sounds good as well but then again, will they smooth out the sheet metal well enough for that fin to sit flush enough to prevent ingress.

 

I’m always shocked at what PDR guys can do. I’d guess they may even have a suction method with heating up the sheet metal where you wouldn’t have to mess with the headliner. If at least ask about options not involving headliner

 

I wouldn't sweat about them dropping the headliner. It's really not that big of a deal. Mine was removed to PDR some hail damage and you'd never know it.

 

All helpful comments thanks guys

 

I’d drop the headliner for sure. PDR next. Then sound deadening after. Then reinstall the headliner. Seats will be out during the repair. Do it yourself if you feel confident (except the PDR part) or hire it out.

wife owes you so treat yourself to some coilovers or wheels or something.

 

Dood I can tell you won't be satisfied with whatever fix anyone does. Breathe.
Accept. Move on.

 

New wife, current model can't drive.

 

Haha coil overs for sure!!

 

Put Some clear silicon under the shark fin and call it a day .

 

a good PDR guy or body shop will fix that just fine. good body shops do not use bondo, they fix it to OEM spec with no exceptions - if they can't do it, they'll tell you. find one that does a LOT of insurance work and ask for their out of pocket price. just like a doctor's office.

 

A good PDR guy can get that out 110%

 

PDR as best can be done and then learn to love any remaining battle scars. And don't be too tough on the old lady over this. It'll make a great story with the grandkids every year at Christmas dinner