Engine Bay Body Cracking LN106

[Sh0tgun]

Hello
Just got my self a 2.8 1989 hilux 4x4 ln106 which ive just decide to do a rebuild on.
A few weeks after i got it i noticed cracking in the engine bay by the air filter and upon further inspection found another crack on the otherside of the bay in the same spot. Any ideas on what could have caused this?

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/13/img9841i.jpg/

Cheers
John

[rokhound]

It has seen lots of off highway action. Just standard metal fatigue from torsional twisting due to body during 4wd adventures would be mu guess.

[LOLYF]

mine cracked in the same spot, I put it down to the big hole in the inner guard for my snorkel and as Rok said lots of twisting offroad.

[jervisad]

yeah my old mans one cracked in the same spot just under the snorkel hole in the gaurd

[Big]

Just mig it up asnd paint it.. it'll be good as new and should be a problem as "running maintenance" I think the term is.. and you wouldnt need to be ticketed either as it's just panel.. Thats what I would do

[Sh0tgun]

Thanks for that. The guy i got it off did a "interesting" job of fitting a snorkel. So that might account for some of it.

[coxsy]

can you drill a hole at end of the crack first then weld,will reduce it continuing later

[Big]

can you drill a hole at end of the crack first then weld,will reduce it continuing later

yes that too.. it will releive the cracking and "should" stop it

[Sh0tgun]

thats the plan. I just have to find someone to weld it up. I have access to all the tools i could ever want but only have aviation riveting gear when it comes to body work

[slide]

They are prone to cracking, and both sides too. Also ones without snorkel crack, so not to do with that. Some require guard removing to access other side for a proper weld repair. But if found early enough welding from under bonnet area is enough.
Nath