Fix this dented bumper or not?

[dishdude]

I did something stupid today, and backed my truck into a concrete pole in a parking garage. It put a nice size crease in the bumper and ripped up the step pad a little. I feel pretty dumb about the whole thing...I was watching a pole near the front of the truck and boom! I was lucky that I didn't hit the sheetmetal and that the bumper took the full force.

Anyways, I called around and found a new bumper and step pad for $350. I can probably install it myself. The truck is a 2005 with 75k miles on it, and the rest of the truck is in great shape. I plan on keeping it for another 2 years unless the HOA decides to implement new parking policies which would force me to sell it in a couple of months.

Should I live with the dent and the reminder every day of my mistake, or bite the bullet and replace it?

 

[spasm3]

i wonder if a body shop could spoon it out, how thick is the bumper metal?

 

[Stu_Rock]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
I plan on keeping it for another 2 years unless the HOA decides to implement new parking policies which would force me to sell it in a couple of months.

I have no opinion on the bumper, but if the HOA prohibits parked pickups, I say keep the truck and sell the house!

 

[VK56VD]

leave it alone

 

[eljefino]

If an HOA banned trucks wouldn't they have to grandfather the currently owned ones in? If that happened I'd be sure to keep mine until it was covered with bondo and mismatched panels, and the muffler dragging on the ground...

The bumper looks fine. I'd leave it alone. It gives the "my truck is worked" look.

 

[widman]

Straighten it.

Pull it off, put it in sand to absorb the hits, grab a short 2x2 (might need hard wood) and round off the corners a little. Then go to work on it. Depending on the sand, you might want to cover it with a piece of leather of rubber.

I've done several.
Sort of like I did with my stainless trim in this link, but don't try to sand the chrome side.
Polishing stainless

 

[ajchien]

Dent gives it character.

 

[mrsilv04]

Did it crack the chrome?

If it did, and will shortly start rusting, I'd replace it.

If the chrome is good, there's no reason to.

What about just replacing the plastic pad?

 

[rpn453]

I could live with that.

 

[ls1mike]

I wouldn't even bother with it.

 

[dishdude]

I guess I'll leave it alone...I just hate the reminder!

 

[Mr_Incredible]

A truck doesn't look right without scratches, dents, and signs of use. I say keep it, and add some more.

 

[PRND3L]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
I guess I'll leave it alone...I just hate the reminder!


I've got a similar blemish on the vibe from a backing up mishap. Think of it positively, it will remind you to be careful when backing up.

 

[cousincletus]

That's a hard call to make. I would be tempted to replace it if I planned on keeping the truck, but the dent is minor. Looks like a nice F-150, so I am going to go with replace it.