Should I fix it?

[tompumped]

I hit a deer a couple nights ago at about 55, fortunately it doesn't look too bad. I thought the frame might've gotten tweaked, but the deer hit high. The bumper didn't even crack.
The radiator support has to be replaced i've just never replaced one. Bodywork isn't my thing. I plan on just spot welding it in place where it was originally. I'm not terribly worried about getting it perfect the car isn't a gem.
Would I be better off just bringing it to someone to do?

I'll post pics tomorrow

 

[mattsho1993]

sorry to hear man good luck in whatever you choose

 

[shoon]

AFAIK the upper and lower rad supports are structural; more so the upper because it keeps the fenders from flexing inward.

If you are a decent welder, id say chop it out and do it yourself. Can you close your hood, and if so; whats the gap like between the hood and fenders?

 

[sho'noffmtx]

Its an MTX so fix it. depending on how bad the hit was you could take that to a body shop and they could pull it straight. I had an accident a few years ago, i pulled the bumper, headlights and everything to get to the bare radiator and they pulled the core support for $75. when i put everything back on it lined up perfectly. that was money well spent IMHO. good luck

 

[tompumped]

The hood got damaged also. If I buy an aftermarket support does it include both upper and lower? It appears so in the pics, but I haven't taken the car apart yet to get a better look.
I'm not good at welding. I don't have much experience, but how hard is it to spot weld? I'll probably check to see how much it would cost to get it done. I'd feel better.
Thanks Matt, I was ****** I though the car was done. I was having a good night too.

 

[SHOtime2511]

lets see pics

 

[sperold]

You are better off doing it yourself. It is hard to guess what is involved with no pictures.
Hitting a deer sounds dramatic, until you remember that NY state has the world's smallest deer. They are not exactly a majestic animal.
Is your fender wrinkled up, how about the inner fender?
Did you break the windshield?
Did you break the rads or battery?
Rad supports can usually be pulled back into shape.... unless....
Dont buy a rad support until you have a close look at yours.

 

[tompumped]

I've been real busy I had to put a water pump, front crank seal, belts and misc into a 99 sentra I just picked up for 800 with 145k. I'm not happy I had to buy this car I don't feel safe, but I needed a car to get to work. It runs good though.

The battery was broken, and the left fender was crinkled slightly. The support was pushed in far it was a fairly big doe that I hit. I know the support isn't fixable. I pulled it out, i'll take pics when I get a chance.

If the car wasn't rusted I wouldn't have even asked if I should do it myself. To me the car seems to be beyond saving unless I spent a lot at a body shop to have all the rust repaired.

 

[sperold]

This is just me, but I would fix it myself.
It may not be perfect, but it will do until you stumble across a deal on another one. The aggravating thing is you need a Sable parts car for the hood and fender, and headlight header panel, and rad support if you don't buy a new one (they are fairly cheap, but the shipping kills you).
This job means you have to get friendly with the local wrecking yard crew again.
You hear stories of people picking up great looking SHO's for a few hundred bucks, but don't plan on that, it is more realistic to work with the one you have.
It all depends on how much you like the car.

 

[sperold]

Just for your information, the rad support is the same from 89 through 95. So and Taurus / Sable that looks remotely like yours will work.
The header panel for the headlights is 92 to 95 only.

 

[notbange]

.
You hear stories of people picking up great looking SHO's for a few hundred bucks, but don't plan on that, it is more realistic to work with the one you have.
It all depends on how much you like the car.

For instance, my $300 new rust free SHO came with a completely torn to shreds transmission, so you get what you pay for. Sure looked good sitting still in my work parking lot though.

 

[mattsho1993]

The hood got damaged also. If I buy an aftermarket support does it include both upper and lower? It appears so in the pics, but I haven't taken the car apart yet to get a better look.
I'm not good at welding. I don't have much experience, but how hard is it to spot weld? I'll probably check to see how much it would cost to get it done. I'd feel better.
Thanks Matt, I was ****** I though the car was done. I was having a good night too.

Isn't that how it always is your in a good mood good day then bam. Same situation, my daughter was just born in the hospital and the ex girl was allowed to eat what ever she wanted so off i went to get her taco bell when bam i rear ended someone. Turned a awesome day into a frustrating day... Worst of all i had made a body kit for the car that weekend.... All i had to do was wet sand it and paint it again!

 

[sperold]

The rad support (aftermarket or not) is huge and covers the entire front of the car.
If you get a donor car, you might consider just splicing in the section that is wrinkled up.
Remember 89 to 95 are all the same.

 

[yamahaSHO]

Its an MTX so fix it.

...in the form of small pieces making their way into other SHO.:wave:

 

[mustangracer91]

I'm in the simular situation two fold...I've got a '97 SHO with cam failure...body is perfect, no rust, white with cloth interior...however to replace the motor is 3k...the other is a '90 mtx SHO was perfect aside from it previously being rear ended a long time ago and it was fixed rather well...had a gate at work fall on it, and scratched and dinged it up from one bumper to the other...and the heater core is leaking, and the waterpump is failing.

 

[sperold]

I'd fix the 90, leaking heater core and all.
By the way, look on V8 Discussion and find the recent thread by ThatShoGuy that suggests you can reuse your head gaskets and head bolts...... that should save you about a $1000.00 right there.

 

[Rubix]

Sorry to hear about your SHO, definitely fix it.

Matt, congratulations on the child.

 

[Toul]

I killed a dear doing 45 over the summer.

Crunched by upper rad support and hood, then died. It needed new radiator, headlight panel, coil, ac condenser, headlights, side lights and hood. Took it apart, wrapped a tow strap around the upper support, put my feet where the support meets the sides, and pulled that ****er to as close to original as possible with my hands.

Got part donations from local showners, and put it back together on the cheap. Ended up probably spending less than 100 bucks (thanks St. Louis SHO) and while its not pretty, it hasn't been since i've owned it, so **** it.

It's my winter racer, 200k miles hit me this week. 60k, and rod bearings later this month.


Moral of the story? Make it pretty, I'd cut out and replace the support.

 

[tompumped]

I just tried uploading pictures, and it keeps telling me they are too big. I will figure it out when I have more time.
I haven't ordered anything yet, i'll post when I get started on it and I can figure out how to upload pics. Thank you for all the input.

I doubt I could've pulled it out and made do with what I had, it was crunched pretty bad, but I guess if I had to I could've.
For me to make it 100 percent i'd have to replace the rad. support, headlight panel, headlights, rad., condenser, battery, a/c pressure switch and possible a/c hose(s). I haven't decided on the a/c.

I don't think I posted it earlier, but I missed a good deal on here for a $500 SHO. That would've been nice.

Congratulations on the baby Matt. How bad is the SHO?