Well I got my truck about where I wanted it mod/lookswise....then tonight a lady pulled out in front of me and I smoked her in the rear tire area of the driver's side...If I hadn't been paying attention I would have hit the driver's side door and probably put her in traction for a month. (or longer) They took her off in an ambulance but they said she was okay and they were just being cautious. I was not hurt at all.

Long story short, it screwed my bumper, grill, left front headlight, and the hood looks sprung. The radiator was leaking too but I don't know yet about the oil cooler and intercooler.

Now what I am wondering is where do I take this thing to get it fixed right being it has mechanical damage in addition to body damage? I have never had an accident that extended past minor body damage before so I am not sure what the best course of action is....

 

Since it's on her dime I'd say the dealership but keep the money they give you for a bumper & buy a real one.

 

Second the money for the bumper... even if you have to put in a few hundred.

 

Glad to hear everyone was OK,

I would take some of the money they are going to give you and upgrade now that you have the opportunity. Aftermarket intercooler, different hood if it was damaged, and an aftermarket bumper for sure. Be involved in the process to prevent you from getting the short end of the stick. all insurance companies are going to try and get off for as cheaply as they can.

 

X4 for the bumper.

 

I would try and get some quotes on my own prior to the adjuster comming and shorting you.

 

I would look at separating the work. Get the body work done by a body shop and get the radiator/coolers/motor work done at a diesel shop.

You should also check the front end of your truck. If a wheel hit her car at all, check the control arms, steering linkage, shocks, alignment, etc.

Make sure all the damage is accounted for. If you don't see it, or another unbiased eye doesn't see it, neither will the adjuster.

 

Thanks for the replies guys.

I like the stock bumper, I really don't want one of those over-the-top ranch hand outfits....I will leave that for the boys in TX. Unless there is something more understated I ought to be looking at I will probably leave the bumper alone.

What aftermarket intercooler should I be looking at? I don't want to throw a ton of money at this project, or it will blow my "Tranny Building" fund all to bits.

What about a hood? Can I get a black SRT hood for about the same money as what it will cost to replace mine?

Thanks again,

Matt

 

I would price out at the dealership prices ALL the replacement parts. You might get a big suprise - many of the aftermarket products could actually cost you less or the same amount. That would make an upgrade not come out of your pocket, your truck could be better as a direct result of you carefully being discriminate about your repairs and guiding your repair people toward your 'other' parts goals.

You need to have a few independent appraisals so you know some of the actuals. That will make for a more informed repair relationship and since YOU were the one damaged as a result of the other person, you DO have a little more lattitude in all this than you know.

The base price of the hoods should be the same, your body guy can just list the replacement price an you can have the hood of your choice. Same applies to intercoolers, radiators, grille replacement parts, etc. You just need to know what they are worth, what you want-meaning how the repair parts are chosen based on their replalcement value.

You also need a front end person,good alignment guy to take a general look, or have the insurance company understand AND put it in writing that once the overall mechanical stuff is put back together the front end is an OPEN deal until it is looked at with the appropriate alignment, etc in mind. No settlement until ALL is taken into consideration, open-ended.

A really good shop will take all this into consideration, examine everything closely, and those who have good relations with insurance companies will also be given the power to do all and then bill accordingly.

Good luck, glad you were not hurt, stuff can be repaired.

CD

 

Thanks CD, makes sense. I just am not sure where a good place locally to take it would be....I will have to do a little digging.

Can I just call and get prices from the dealership or do I need to have it where they can look at it?

This would be a lot easier if the truck were drivable--it is going to have to be towed everywhere I take it.