Rear left quarter to tail light panel crunched in

[Haddixj]

I am wondering what is the best way to attack this damage? It is pushed in right above the bumper but didnt touch the bumper. it pushed the tail panel in also. Thanks

[Topcat]

Do you have access to a stud gun puller?

That is how I've pulled out numerous dents.

This place has the best set up in my opinion.
http://www.hsautoshot.com/WelderWarranty.html

One thing good about pulling dents on older cars is the metal is thicker and doesn't burn thru as often like new car sheet metal does. Yours looks doable.

[FY1Cuda]

My thought would be to drill a couple of 1/4" holes in the pushed-in section, get a 1/4" eye bolt and a maybe 4" piece of sturdy flat stock into which you drill and tap a 1/4" threaded hole.  Put the eye bolt through the quarter from the outside, thread it into the flat stock on the inside, and then use a "come-along" winch to pull it out to shape.  When you have it about right, weld up the holes.

[Haddixj]

how does everyone feel about the harbor freight stud gun? I can get it for $80 with coupon. Or get the H&S starter for $215.

[Topcat]

My thought would be to drill a couple of 1/4" holes in the pushed-in section, get a 1/4" eye bolt and a maybe 4" piece of sturdy flat stock into which you drill and tap a 1/4" threaded hole.  Put the eye bolt through the quarter from the outside, thread it into the flat stock on the inside, and then use a "come-along" winch to pull it out to shape.  When you have it about right, weld up the holes.

That's a good approach Owen.

My thought was to make small cuts in strategic areas to allow a hand puller to work easier after studding the panel. Then the puller would work easier pulling out the panel tension from the hit.

[TUNISCO]

I've got the Harbor Freight stud gun, don't think I'd want to try and make a living with it but it works fine for the money.

Heat could be your friend on that repair. If you use a torch on that crease it should move a lot easier.
It can be hard to tell from photos what the best way might be, more than one way to skin a cat.

[torredcuda]

I try to stay away from heat on thin sheet metal,only use a torch on frame rails and such.Like Tunisco stated there`s a lot of different approaches to pull that corner.One way would be to weld a thick piece of metal to the edge and use that to pull using a big slide hammer or a come along.

[jackie]

the h. f. stud gun is ok, but the puller that comes with it is junk...the little wheel with the teeth on it wear out fast. and you can't buy them..

[jimynick]

I know it sounds silly, but look at where the trim lines are now and imagine where you want them; then either using the stud gun and multiple studs or brazing on a few 1/8' body shims onto the body line, pull it to where it wants to be. A come-along is more controllable than a slide hammer. You likely need to go over and back and once you've roughed it out, you can get inside and using a blunt edged bar, hammer the line out to the final position. You may need to do some shrinking, but that's the least of you worries. Good luck 

[Haddixj]

Thanks for all the replies. Hopefully I'll be able to start the body work this summer. But we are having our second  child near the end of July so that's going to take priority. Either way I'm going to buy a h&s stud gun and start gathering parts. Thanks for the help