am i the only one that wouldnt want this truck back if they totalled it out. how strong is the frame once it is restraigtned>? curious for my own knowledge

 

No you are not the only one. Have no problem with replacement (which is no different than when you drove it off the lot when you bought it), but not re-straighten.

 

The frame in my Mach I has been straightened. The front where the bumper mounts. it was crooked when I bought the car and I had it fixed.

 

it's a truck frame, not undergarments



a good repair and it will be good as new

 

Today insurance companies will spend between 80-90% of bluebook towords repairs. Figure they will spend $7-8K max, i think you're in the repair range, but you will have to wait for the estimate with a rack inspection to really id all the needs.

 

Can either of you please elaborate on your experiences? I'm curious how this works as well. Taking the truck to the repair shop tomorrow.

Thanks for sharing your experience. From a strictly financial standpoint, I'm hoping they don't total it. The truck is paid for and has relatively low mileage, and I was planning on keeping it for the long haul. I'm a little concerned about safety after the repair, though.

 

I am a bodyman, I've seen a lot worse and fixed many with your exact damage


ensure the shop checks your driveshaft as it may have been tweaked from the frame shift (it's a commonly overlooked issue until the truck has a vibration)


if the insurance totals out your truck let me know and I'll be interested in buying it back, fix it and use it for a tow rig / daily drive it

 

I am no "body man" like tarajerame but i have straightened frames before with basic hand tools. A buddy of mine had similar damage on his truck and we decided to straighten the frame somewhat before we sent it in for the damage appraisal. What we did (what i do) was put the truck on a flat bed trailer, anchor it down tight and use bottle jacks to straighten it out. Then used blocks of wood and bottle jacks between the frame rails to straighten it out that way.


i actually straightened the frame on a mazda mx3 by anchoring the rear end of it to the front tow hook of my truck and the front of the car being pulled by the front end loader of the tractor. Ever seen a mazda jump straight up higher than the hood of our truck? I have lol.

 

Thanks for the additional info. Dropped the truck off this morning at a well-known shop here in town (Hayes Brothers), should have an estimate next week.

 

Just got off the phone with the shop. Two weeks ago, the insurance company was going to repair it. They found a replacement bed, which would have received new paint and a new spray-in bedliner. After trying to straighten the frame, however, the shop guy said that there would still be "wrinkles" - the metal wouldn't be straight, even though the body would look straight. He had a lengthy conversation with the insurance company, and they won't risk the liability since they can't be assured that the frame will function as originally designed if it's involved in another accident. So they're going to total it.

 

Thats probably the best thing. Get a truck that never been wrecked..