Replacement of Radiator Support Panel

[twentyEight]

Hey guys,

My RA28 has been a front end collision at some time in its recent existance, and the radiator support panel (more the beam across the top) has been, quite dodgidly, replaced and re-welded...

How large a job is it to take out the entire radiator support panel (complete front section) and replace with a good one?

[Pube]

It cant be too difficult as I got myne replaced not that long ago. I had 2 other celicas each with one bent side so i basically cut the front off both cars and got one of each side put onto my good body.

[SillyCarS]

Hi,

dunno what your pics look like, but...

i have a mate who put a 1jz in an ra23, and he actually found that you can move the radiator from where it sits from factory (behind the rail) to underneath it by chopping out the top and then rewelding it, later on after that when it came to fitting the FMIC he welded in some box steel.

By the sounds of it your not doing this to save space like he was, but im sure box steel would surely be stronger than the flimsy piece thats in there at the moment.

i'll try and get some pics of it

just a thought

craig

[SillyCarS]

Pube

farq you did a good job

[twentyEight]

Pube,

How much did that set you back?

[Pube]

dont know the exact cost of that part but the total bare metal spray plust extensive mods cost me $15K its not finished yet....

[twentyEight]

Pics added to the first post!

[Munki]

Hi

best way to remove the support panels is to drill them out at the spot welds.

there is a special bit that you can use but i have never used one. You can usually drill out the weld on the old panel without drilling all the way through its mating surface.

Get some measurements from a straight celica and clamp and weld them back on in the same places.

you can grind the welds smooth but its a bit time consuming in the area.

A proper repair shop will be able to put the panels back on as they were in the factory i.e. with the same type of spot welds.

hope this helps

Daniel.

[twentyEight]

Thanks Munki, that helps heaps!

+Rep for you...

[Spectre]

I'll check my spares for a radiator support piece if your chasing a good condition one.

[twentyEight]

I'll check my spares for a radiator support piece if your chasing a good condition one.

Thanks, I'm thinking about buying a RA23 for a parts car, so this should be sufficient (if I purchase it that is), but I'll keep you in mind...