[granitehauler]

So with only 3 payments left on my baby, some loser coming the opposite direction makes an illegal left turn from the middle straight lane right into my path. I smack her at about 35 mph. I faired ok for the speed, broken headlight, signal bumper and panel. Her whole rear end is gone! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif Anyway, long story short, she was issued a citation and now I need to get it fixed. Since I'll be replacing the front clip anyway, does anyone know if the '05 bumper, grill and headlights will fit my '02? Seems like a direct swap to me. I know guys have done it, but I don't know if they had to do any modifications or not.

Thanks

 

[danbob]

I don't know if there's any modifications to do, but I do know you can swap the front ends without much trouble. I'm sure someone will speak up with the details.

 

[agdodge4x4]

http://catalog.powerstrokeshop.com/partl...ategoryID=84614

How bout this??

 

[granitehauler]

Thanks guys! $1500 doesn't seem too bad for the whole front clip. We'll see what the insurance adjuster says my truck can be fixed for.

While I'm on the subject. How do I not get screwed by the other drivers insurance? It's Allstate. I'm afraid they are going to say that it can be repaired for a lot less than I WANT it repaired for. I'm not trying to scam the ins. company or anything, but this truck was in PERFECT condition before this happened. I don't wan to have to just accept a mediocre fix because they said it could be repaired for $X. Plus, I'm really worried about matching the silver paint. Every silver paint repair job I have seen has stuck out like a sore thumb. Usually too dark, or not metallic enough if that makes sense. That will drive me insane to have that. Can you buy a prepainted panel from Ford? Or Ford's paint?

Thanks

 

[agdodge4x4]

Basically, they are going to cover whatever costs to get it back to the way it was before the accident, not what it costs to make the front look like an 05. If that ends up being 1000 bucks, then youll have to eat the cost of that upgrade. Also, the paint might be hard to match, painters are a dime a dozen, dont expect too much out of most of them, if it sucks, they can do it over until it matches, it wont cost you a dime. I had to go through this with my driftwood colored dodge. I ended up getting my new one before i had time to jack with having it painted again. Also, be prepared to listen to the jibber jabber about fading it to match, the pearl coat, the pigment, we can't get it 100%, blah blah blah. Just tell them up front that if you can tell its been repainted, they get to try again.

 

[granitehauler]

Yeah, I'm cool with spending the extra to "update" my front end to the '05. What I really meant was that the bumper really isn't too bad other than the plastic valance and trim pieces. The chrome is a bit roughed up, but I can see them saying "we'll replace the plastic, but the rest can be re-chromed or buffed out" or something stupid like that. I want it done right.

I should be meeting with the adjuster today or Monday at the latest, so we'll see what happens.

BTW do you know how I post a picture? Does it need to be in a photo hosting page somewhere or can I link directly to my computer?

 

[Going_Going_Gone]

Just keep harping on the fact that you didn't have a "brushed out" or "rechromed" bumper on the truck before she caused the accident. Remember, the driver is financially responsible and not the insurance company. If you are unable to reach a satisfactory settlement with the insurance company, you have the option of going after the driver in a civil suit. Good luck, dealing with insurance companies is one of life's greatest challenges.

 

[granitehauler]

I figured out how to post pictures into my gallery, so I put a couple in there. Search under "granitehauler". It doesn't look too bad in the pictures, but it's hard to get detail on something like this. What's amazing is that the fender buckled, but stopped just before bumpng the door or the hood. So no damage to those(from what I can tell). I was actually surprised to not see my whole front end mashed with the impact of the hit.

 

[Tina]

You're lucky that woman has insurance that will fix your truck up completely. My brother just went through a nasty accident w/his big Ford (I think it's an F750) He ran over the car that pulled out in front of him. Their fault, but their insurance company only allowed so much $$ for my brothers repairs and told him he could sue the couple in the car for more $$. They skipped town and the insurance company is one we've never ever heard of. This was the first time I'd ever heard of an insurance company having a "limit" on how much they would pay!!! Reguardless of the damage they were at fault for and responsible for.
Sorry, didn't mean to rant....

 

[agdodge4x4]

well, yeah. They all have limits. It depends on what coverage you get. i.e. $250,000, $500,000, etc.

 

[1olddog2]

Allstate sucks!!!!. here in IL. they give you a list of body shops to go to to have your stuff fix . they (body shops)work at cut rates . more on volume then any thing.

 

[badcb]

I agree with Aggie.Pick your body shop wisely!!! Dont be in too much of a rush to get it back. And make %^$!! sure that body shop knows that if it aint right ,they get to keep trying untill its good enough for you.

 

[duplex]

My truck has been hit 2 times, not my fault both times. State Farm on one and usaa on the other. There were no problems with repairs, OEM parts and all. On the 1st hit they replaced my front bumper with a Ford OEM from the dealer, it rusted in a year and a half and was only warrented for 1 year from Ford, the after market front bumper was warrented for as long as you own the truck something to think about. Just don't sign the release paper until the shop work is right and most have a warrenty on the work.

 

[HATMAN]

[ QUOTE ]
Allstate sucks!!!!. here in IL. they give you a list of body shops to go to to have your stuff fix . they (body shops)work at cut rates . more on volume then any thing.

[/ QUOTE ] If an insurance company gives you a list you do not have to go their shops, it is your vehical and you can choose the repair shop that you want to go to. Do not let them tell you that they do not warrenty the work of the shop of your choice, or that they don't work with that shop.Go to the shop of your choice ,tell them the situation and they would be glad to argue that fact for you.

 

[granitehauler]

Well, the insurance company called today. They had me tell my side of the story (like it was supposed to be different than the chick that hit me?) and then told me their list of approved shops. BUT, they also said that I could go anywhere I wish, but that I would need to send them the bid to get it approved. One of the shops they suggested is actually part of the dealership where I took delivery of my drop-shipped truck. I'm going tomorrow to get a bid from them. I figure a Ford body shop probably will do the best job and no aftermarket parts.

What do you think, still get a couple more bids on top of the Ford store?

Also, no one from the insurance company came out to look at the vehicle. Is that pretty normal?

 

[JimBeam_n_Me]

don't be sure about the no aftermarket parts. Most of those places run the body shop as a business, which means they will get the cheapest parts to make the most margin.

Any bidy shop can order OEM panels, metal and trim. You must insist on it, even at a dealer though. Also, a ford store will charge you a premium for ford metal.

So make sure you insist on OEM and go see the parts for yourself. Otherwise your truck will never look the same again.

And paint, same thing.

 

[HeliPilot]

I have a very good friend who owns a paint/body shop down here in South Fl and 75% of the cars he does come from the local dealerships. Just cause you drop off your vehicle there does not mean that is where the work will take place. This happens more than you think.

 

[JoeHastings]

My truck was less than a year old when someone pulled out ( left turn) infront of me. I t-boned her--- I was able to get down from 50 mph to maybe 20 mph when I hit her. Luckily she did have insurance. I opted to take the truck to the Ford dealer and insisted on OEM replacements after they told me they normally did it the cheapest way under pressure from the insurance companies. I made sure I got OEM. Then her insurnace coapny didn't want to rent me a vehicle. I complained and they they said OK-- and told me to ge a little subcompact. I told them I wanted a rental truck. They said "no" . I pointed out that Florida Insurance law clearly states that they have to authorize renatl of a "similar" vehicle and that a suncompact was not similar to a 4x4 F250. .... they keeled over and rented me a F150 -- don't know if your siutuation is the same for rentals or not

 

[granitehauler]

Well, I got a bid from a shop that I wanted to do the work and then had Allstate cut me a check for what their adjuster came up with. Only about 100 bucks different, and he said the body shop would just work out with them the shortage.

I became a little nervous when the "Allsate recommended" body shop called ME to set up an appt. to write up a bid. They seemed too overly anxious to do the job. Truck goes in the shop in a week and I'll be out a truck for 5 days. Allstate has been good so far and they're getting me a rental truck. I can see it now, a chevy colorado. Booooo!

 

[F350Lariat]

Be careful with that check. Most inurance companies want you to accept a check on the spot. Sign the back and you typically sign away any rights to ask for more money, UNLESS, there is damage that was not recognized and directly related to the accident. At that point, it is your responsible to prove the additional damage unless you go o their body shop. I would not sign the release paperwork until the final bill is rendered.