Frame bent in 5 car pile up on freeway. It was my brother in-laws' 1997 F150 not my 1999. He was the middle rig in the crash and had come to a complete stop and was then pushed into the van in front of him. My question is.. Has anybody else had their insurance company do a repair for a bent frame by replacing frame and putting a used bed on it? This is what they are going to do for him. If yes how did it turn out? Does the truck still ride well? Any comments or suggestions are welcome. The repair estimate is $9,200.00. My F150 is insured by the same company so I'm going to watch closley how they deal with his claim.

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99 XLT SC Flairside, Oxford White, Sport, 4.6l, 275/60/17 tires, 3.55LS, 4 wheel discs/ABS, Ford bedliner, Downey SST Tonneau, K&N, Flowmaster II Dual out rear catback, Clear corners and clear tail lights.




[This message has been edited by Jim A (edited 04-13-2000).]

 

I've heard that if the frame is bent then it is supposed to be totaled. Not really sure but that doesn't seem right that they would try to replace it.

Bones

 

Bending the frame will not total out a vehicle. That is determined by cost of repairs (if repairable) against what your insurance company decides your vehicle is worth. I had a 91 S-10 that was wrecked but repairable,Frame was bent in three places. Body shop put it on a machine for two days and straightened it back out. Newer frames are designed to bend to absorb some of the force of impact. Now if frame was to be replaced then I think the damage was beyond repair and then I could see it being totaled. I have never heard of a shop replacing the frame. Maybe he should put a few calls in the other shops and see what they have to say. Remember it's YOUR choice on who fixes it and you do NOT need more than one estimate.

 

I though that if the frame was bent then the vehicle was classified as a total loss. I would definatley want a new vehicle, because I think DMV (atleast in my state, AK) puts a stamp in big red letters, "RECONSTRUCTED VEHICLE." Hows that for resale?

 

I have heard of frames being replaced. I'm surprised their doing it on a '97 model, tho. Its usually so expensive to do (everything has to disassembled), that it only happens on fairly new models. Personally, If I had a choice, I would rather have a new frame than a straighened frame.