L200 Front Crossmember Repair

[Aff]

Hey All,

Maybe one for @123hotchef

The trusty rust bucket failed its MOT for front Crossmember Rot. I think it's fairly common for them to go there but I can't seem to find any replacement parts online, other than the whole front panel for stupid money.


Is it OK just to cut it out and make my own from box section? Or has anyone got any better suggestions?

 

[123hotchef]

Hi mate yes box secition is the way to go, the front pannel use to be available on ebay for abouy £99

 

[123hotchef]

Pardon our interruption...

 

[JMS1972]

On a normal car I'd say check for any built in weaknesses (for crumple zones) but I don't think pick-ups have that sort of namby-pamby nonsense so bit of box would be fine....

 

[Myles1970]

£199.... not cheap

 

[123hotchef]

https://www.ks-international.com/mitsubishi-4x4-and-truck-parts/mitsubishi-4x4-parts/mitsubishi-l200-4x4-parts/mitsubishi-l200-k74-2-5td-1996-12-2006/body-panels/radiator-support-panel-front-0702703.html

https://www.carbodypanels4u.co.uk/mitsubishi-l200-front-panel-complete?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjw1uiEBhBzEiwAO9B_HWEC6UgY82JN5ZeNCHtxQxisRi57qTZ_Kt3GULSxt95FwyABGsebwxoCRAcQAvD_BwE

 

[Myles1970]

https://www.ks-international.com/mitsubishi-4x4-and-truck-parts/mitsubishi-4x4-parts/mitsubishi-l200-4x4-parts/mitsubishi-l200-k74-2-5td-1996-12-2006/body-panels/radiator-support-panel-front-0702703.html

https://www.carbodypanels4u.co.uk/mitsubishi-l200-front-panel-complete?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjw1uiEBhBzEiwAO9B_HWEC6UgY82JN5ZeNCHtxQxisRi57qTZ_Kt3GULSxt95FwyABGsebwxoCRAcQAvD_BwE

yep, that's the one from carpanels4u...

 

[Aff]

Thanks Guys.

I could stomach sub £100 for it but 200 seems unreasonable and £975 is mad, I'm guessing there's a shortage.

Most of the panel seems fine, is it acceptable to replace a structural member with homemade for the MOT?

 

[tom2207]

id be starting with some 2mm bend a couple of say 80 degree angles 50x10 or z shapes 10x50x10 or what evers needed , and cut two bits of flat plate and glue the whole lot together , granted its a mornings work , but it would be done and dusted and look right .

 

[123hotchef]

Thanks Guys.

I could stomach sub £100 for it but 200 seems unreasonable and £975 is mad, I'm guessing there's a shortage.

Most of the panel seems fine, is it acceptable to replace a structural member with homemade for the MOT?

that is not a sturtual x member anyway it just supports the rad ect a box section one will be way stronger.
if you have a body lifted truck re doing that x member is a great way of dropping the rad back down

 

[Migmac]

Mine got replaced with box section

 

[Aff]

Job jobbed, hopefully it should outlast the rest of the truck.

Some idiot dinged the radiator though so need to replace that now too

 

[Aff]

While I was in there I thought it would be sensible to change the belts.

Turns out I had a Snapped balance shaft belt,guess I'm lucky it didn't take the cam belt with it

Job jobbed round 2

 

[123hotchef]

leave that pesky balance belt off! I have had 5 or 6 like that lucky escapes sometimes they jam the timing bely and smash rockers

 

[123hotchef]

sump looks rusty?

 

[123hotchef]

hope you changed that bottom pulley too

 

[Aff]

leave that pesky balance belt off! I have had 5 or 6 like that lucky escapes sometimes they jam the timing bely and smash rockers

I probably should have, fingers crossed.

sump looks rusty?

Nah its mostly just mud and oil one corner looks a little bad but hasn't made it to the gasket surface yet.

hope you changed that bottom pulley too

Yup, old one didn't look far off falling apart.

 

[123hotchef]

I probably should have, fingers crossed.


Nah its mostly just mud and oil one corner looks a little bad but hasn't made it to the gasket surface yet.



Yup, old one didn't look far off falling apart.

if you have not done so already remove the sound deadning sponge from the bottom of the sump they hold water and rust the sump out quicker, stick to the belt service interval and you should be ok!