Well, as many know I bought Tina's beast back this spring, and I've loved the truck ever since. Thankfully, it saved my life thursday night as I went hurdling into a tree almost avoiding a deer on a tight turn.
Clipped the deer and went right into the tree. The tree was also growing *right* at the edge
of the road.

The truck took 6000 dollars worth of front end damage, which sounds worse than it is. The hit took place a little below the right front head light, pretty much destroying the bumper. It cracked the plastic casing around the grille/headlight, and there is a stress dent in the hood. I think the front panel on the passenger side got pushed back just a tad because I can't open the passenger side door now. There was absolutely no engine damage whatsoever. I had to take a long pipe and pry the bumper
out of the front right wheel well to drive it though.

As for the interior, both air bags deployed, and the one that hit me _REALLY_ hurt me bad. Was bleeding from the face, all bruised and hurt. The rear view mirror went
flying into the back seat, and the long oval
piece of plastic above the passenger seat air
bag came off. Believe me, it was probably
the worst experience I've ever had. The
air bag did most of the damage to me, it
also let out a stinky-dusty cloud. I can
post pictures (of both the truck and
myself -- though both are horrifying to see).

Before I start spending lots of money, I think that if I were ever to upgrade my truck, now would be the time to do it.

First of all, I'd like to ask what a brush guard would do, if it woulda prevented/added more damage, and if it would just be in general worth getting one (and I really hope to never get in another accident again).
Second, I'm thinking of getting the F-1 Cobra hood and possibly a billet grille.
Any thoughts?


In closing, I'd like to say that these trucks are BUILT FORD TOUGH, and if it wasn't for that, I'd probably be dead in some small foreign car.

Not so happy right now
and in need of help,

Spartan

------------------
97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars
heavy duty shocks


[This message has been edited by Spartan (edited 08-11-2000).]

 

Spartan,

Sorry to here about your misshap, you never did say what happened to the deer. Did you need to go to the ER? Where abouts did this happen anyway?

I just got a Steelhorse billet grille from Carparts.com, I still haven't had time to but it on, but it is the same as Firezap's. As far as a brush guard, get with Sycoholic, he lives not far from you in Jamesburg, he can hook you up I'm sure. I don't want to talk about THAT HOOD until I win the lottery!

I hope you heal up quickly and can get the old TINAMOBILE back in prime condition soon.

[This message has been edited by mtknee (edited 08-06-2000).]

 

Spartan: I am so sorry to hear about this. But very glad that the truck took most of the damage. You're probably in better shape because of those air bags. Just think how much damage that stearing wheel/windshild would have done to your head. Do post the pictures, right here.
There's been a few post here w/people that have had brush guards and wheather they thought they had helped. Most people do think that they absorb a lot if you crash. Now that cobra hood, on the other hand, is just a "Costly Pretty". If you can afford it, then go for it. It'll sure look good on the Beast.
I'm very glad you weren't hurt worse. How long do you think it'll take for the Beast to be fixed??? And next time, HIT the blasted Deer!!! It would sure do a whole lot less damage than a tree and at least your life wouldn't also be in jeopardy.

 

And next time, HIT the blasted Deer!!!
Yeah and stock your freezer at the same time.

Glad your OK ... well it could have been worse.

 

I'll also say that if I was in my old Toyota T100 truck, I probably woulda gotten hurt the same from the airbag *shrug*. But as for that truck, it would have been totalled,
the tree would be in the engine and the windshield woulda broken.

That huge bumper assembly on the 97 F-150s is probably the single best feature I love of that truck right now, it took the whole damage, and left practically nothing for the rest of the truck. That's one thing I really do love about the 97s over the newer models, the new models don't have that big solid bumper assembly sticking out there.

------------------
97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars
heavy duty shocks

 

Hey Spartan,
I don't think the push bar would have done anything to lessen the damage because from where you say the impact is, all thats there is a small tube to prevent brush from breaking the headlight. As for the hood, go for it if you can afford it. Try and get a 4x4 bumper out of the deal and have the fog lights installed. If you decide to do the work yourself and need some help just let us know and I'm sure some of the chapter members would be happy to get our hand dirty.

Get well soon.


------------------
GOLD RUSH

'99 F150 XLT SC SB 5.4x2 Harvest Gold
3.55 limited slip
Trailer towing package
In-dash CD player
Ford Beanie bear
Slip on extender mirrors
Powerstop brake controller
Covermaster 1000 topper with wing
BugflectorII
Ventvisors (front&rear)
3 www.f150online.com decals
Ford Lumi Logo
Steelhorse Billet grill
Ford hitch cover
Yellow wire loom
Hyper White head light bulb
Painted to match AVS slotted taillight covers
Ford system 4 alarm
Clear turn signals
"Blazer" strip reflectors under tailgate

<A HREF="http://www.firezap.url4life.com" TARGET=_blank> </A>

<A HREF="http://njf150truckclub.homestead.com" TARGET=_blank> </A>
firezap@f150fanatic.com
firezapper@home.com



[This message has been edited by Firezap (edited 08-06-2000).]

 

PS
Try and get 2nd generation airbags when they replace them. They fire at a lesser pressure.

 

Spartan: Firezaps suggestion of having the fog lights installed is a great idea!!! I'm pretty sure you already have all the wiring for them. I remember looking into having them put on the Beast when I first got it, but that was way back when the truck was so new to Ford, that Ford just didn't have the parts yet. Diffinately look into it!!!

 

Spartan, sorry to read about your accident. Be glad your truck protected you. Can you imagine what injuries you would have had if you didn't have air bags? Does this sort of thing happen often in your area? Maybe you should take a tip from the Australians and install "Roo" bars on your truck. Looks ugly, but it would protect your vehicle from wildlife. I'd have to imagine that a nice heavy brush guard might protect your vehicle the next time you run into a deer. I know the first reaction is to avoid running into something that runs into your path. You never know when it will be a person. However, the bush guard will protect your truck if you happen to run into a deer that you couldn't avoid.

Tina, how do you feel about your adopted out baby getting smashed?

 

Well, I don't really see myself hitting my head on the steering wheel or the dash without the airbag, the seat belt did a great job (and I have a huge mark on my chest to prove it). Deer are around, this was just bad luck I think.

I ordered a brush guard and a billet grill yesterday. I also filed a comprehensive claim with my insurance company. If they won't pay for it then I will, I'm not going to file for collision because that would go under as my fault and my premiums would go up.

A better estimate said that with used or reproduced parts (that are suposed to look exactly the same as the originals) will cost about $3500 now instead of 6000 -- another reason not to file for collision. I really want to get that F-1 Cobra hood, I'll let ya know as soon as I know from the insurance company.

Pictures of myself and the truck should be up tomorrow

------------------
97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars
heavy duty shocks

 

I can't belive you were able to DRIVE the truck away.
Talk about Ford tough.
That would never happen in a Camry thats for sure.

 

Sorry to hear about the wreck but the good news you lived through it and can fix the truck.

------------------
2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
automatic keyless entry
white styleside short box

 

Very sorry to hear about this! I can relate however, my mother's air bags went off in her Thunderbird while cruising at lovely speed of 14 mph.

The car suffered 6400.00 of damage, and my face and fore arms suffered survere abbrasions. Both airbags went off in hers too.

The seat belts grabbed me before the airbags went off; I would much rather that the airbages did not go off. My right eye was slightly blackened.

I do not EVER want to feel, hear, or smell any airbags as long as I can help it. I did not think they were supposed to go off at such a slow mph.

Anyways, glad your alright!

------------------
• 2000 F-150 XLT
• 5.4 LITER TRITON V8
• 4X4 OFF ROAD PACKAGE
• SHORT BED EXTENDED CAB
• BRIGHT RED CLEARCOAT
• GRAY INTERIOR
• AUTOMATIC W / MANUAL 4X4 SHIFTER
• 3" PERFORMANCE ACCESSORIES BODY LIFT
• 33X12.50X16.50 BFGOODRICH ALL-TERRIAN KO'S
• AMERICAN RACING BAJA'S 16.50X9.75 RIMS
• FORD SOFT TONNEAU COVER
• BLACK POWDER COATED STERLING EQUIPMENT NERF BARS

 

Dennis: How do I feel about The Beast being in an accident??? About like I'd feel if one of my kids broke an arm, pretty bad. But it can be fixed and the main thing was that Spartan came out OK. Sure, he's hurt from the airbags and the seatbelt grabbing him but it prabably would have been much worse for him without those life saving devices.

 

Here are the pictures: