Front core body work - frame puller?

[RatLabGuy]

At the ECORS race at DPG, between getting a good "rub" from naother racer and a tree that refused to move out of the way :alan:, I got some nice front end damage.:doh:
Nothing major, the front driver side headlight/turn signal area got ceunchsed in and downward a good bit (fender is toast), my big steel bumper pushed it in.
http://www.4rtoy.rewazule.com/Pics/ECORS/Body_Damage/CIMG3075.JPG
http://www.4rtoy.rewazule.com/Pics/ECORS/Body_Damage/CIMG3076.JPG
You can see it's pushedin a bit at the body mount, it's still all intact but the bushing is flexed
http://www.4rtoy.rewazule.com/Pics/ECORS/Body_Damage/CIMG3077.JPG

I'm not real concerned about looking pretty or being perfect, and I have another fender - but I need to be able to re-mount the headlight/marker light for driving around town.

Don't think this is something I can just fiix in my garage.
I'm guessing this will take a body shop w/ a frame puller or similar setup to twist it back out?
Any reccomendations on a place in HarCo that could do this?

[Mike]

If you are going to be rubbing while racing, I would get rid of the stock core support, and tube it out with mounts for the stock body panels. It's going to be a weakened spot that will crumple first next time it's hit.

[RatLabGuy]

I had thought about that, also ocncerned about avoiding future crumpling.
Part of the problem was cause not by the core itself contacting anyhing, but that my bumper (which was square tube up just under the lights) actually crushed it in, mostly b/c it's mounts in the front twisted/broke, and also b/c there was no support for it from the sides, allowing it to collapse in on teh body.
So my plan was to re-make that w/ tubing up though/around the fender well, and to where there will be an exo frame in front of the cab - so it wil lessentially be framed and supported around the core.
I've also debated just making a tube-style fender/front support, but I'm not sure i'm ready to get that far from a "normal looking" truck yet.

[ehall]

find a tree, a comealong, some tow strap and an assortment of hardware

[RatLabGuy]

find a tree, a comealong, some tow strap and an assortment of hardware

been thinkin' about that too.
I have a winch (although currently no front mount, since it was on the bumper) and a Hi-lift, have been thinking how I mightjust try and pull it out myself. Problem is I can't figre how to secure the whole truck from moving when the sheetmetal is pulled 9even if I had something to mount the winch on). Typically body shops have anchors in the floor for this kind of thing.

[ehall]

The sheetmetal will rip before the vehicle moves. It might sway but that's not a problem

[mopar]

jeff at churchville auto body lets his guys do work on the side after hours .... go talk to him .... its not a guarantee but i had a truck stored there while it was being worked on "on the side" for almost 6 mts and never paid a dime