I had my beautiful 1998 White 5.4L Flareside Supercab Lariat with A.R.E. tonneau at a dealer to have the passenger side door lock replaced (because some punk took a screwdriver to it to try and break in). Unfortunately, after the work was done, another mechanic in a Mountaineer hit my truck, damaging the driver's side sheetmetal (starting at the gas cap and heading towards the back), the rear wheel and tire, and all the molding. This happened on 3/17/00. The dealer admitted to the accident and told me they would take care of it. Finally I went to pick up my beloved truck today, but found problems!! They replaced my wheel, tire, and molding okay, but there's a problem with my A.R.E. tonneau and the new "skin" they put on (they replaced the entire piece of sheetmetal that makes up the side of the pickup bed on the driver's side). First of all, the tonneau cover is uneven and won't latch - it was perfect before. Also, there's a spot where paint was chipped right off of it, like a tool hit it. Next I inspected the new skin put on my truck. It looked good on the outside, but when I took a peek right behind the cab to see how the metal was finished on the inside, I saw it was just primered with white overspray. I compared this with the passenger side of the truck and found that this same area was completely painted white. I told the dealer this was unacceptable and wanted everything fixed, again. Am I being to overly concerned over the primer and overspray? I'm thinking along the lines that this area will be more vulnerable to rust since there is really only a primer coat? Any advice would be appreciated. Anybody have similar experiences?

Thanks.

 

kenb,
Sorry to hear of all problems at the dealership, I would expect your truck to be repaired to the same condition when you droped it off.
Maybe you could take this up with Ford Management bypassing the dealer if they wont help.
What dealer is this? Im in your neck of the woods and don't want to go there

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2000 F150 XLT BLACK, 4X4,SPORT 5.4, 3.55,
SC,SB,ABS, 17IN WHLS, REMOTE ENTRY, REMOTE START & ALARM, CD,
TUBULAR SIDE STEPS, SMK BUG GAURD, VENTSHADES, MOLDED MUD FLAPS, LINER ALL FORD PRODUCTS, SUPERCHIP, A.R.E. LID ON ORDER

 

I hope they are footing the bill for a loaner vehicle as well....

I personally would not accept the truck until it looks exactly the way it did before they had the demolition derby. And definitely not before they at least fixed things they made worse. Stay on them like stink on pooh!!!

 

Sorry to hear about your troubles I would keep on them til its fixed right and if they say they can't do it tell them to have someone who can at there expense.

 

You said your truck is a Flareside. My Flareside was hit on the right rear and the side of the bed had to be replaced. The sides are fiberglass. My hard cover also is slightly out of alignment on that side. I think the body shops have a problem fitting the replacement fiberglass bed sides.


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97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, Windsor 4.6, Magnecor 8.5mm wires, Bosch Plat +4s, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs

 

you definitely want to make sure the primer is completely covered with a solid coat of paint. primer absorbs moisture and if left unpainted will definitely rust in that area.

 

don't worry about rust 'cause that piece is fiberglass...but that's no excuse for them not to do a "factory job"....I'd bitch and bitch and bitch till it got done right...the cost should be covered by their garage liability insurance anyway...ask them who their carrier is and then tell them you're just going to contact them and file a claim to have it fixed by another bodyshop...
owrse come to worse you can sue them in small claims court....the carrier would probably just go ahead and pay if claim is legitimate in their opinion (which it seems to be)

(by the way betcha they're billing their insurance company for reimbursement..and making a little profit on the job).

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1997 Arctic White F-150 XLT Flareside SC, K&N, Magnaflow muffler, Air Box mods, Bugflector II, Soft Tonneau Cover, Chrome Westin Bars, 3" Performance Accessories Body Lift, tinted windows

Flares Rule!!!!!

 

If it had happened to me I would not accept the truck back until it was in the exact same condition as when I dropped it off. If your cover will not fit properly..MAKE THEM fix it or the problem causing it not to fit.

You must cover the primer with paint because it will eventually rust. A top coat of paint is what seals the primer and metal.

You are well within your right to expect everything to be fixed properly.

Best of luck and sorry to hear about this.

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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99

 

Tell them you want it right or make them give you a whole new bed.
On my last truck a 93 lightning. the front bumper started to rust. They tried to paint it but it looked terrible. I made them get me a brand new bumper.
Fight for a new bed.

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1999 F150 4x4 4.6V8 regcab/shortbed
Oxford White with Wedgewood Blue two tone, with Blue Captains chairs
Bassani Cat Back, Superchip,Modified intake with modified K&N filter.
Centerline Saber rims 17x8" with Firestone GTA 275/60hr-17 tires.





[This message has been edited by Don C (edited 04-05-2000).]

 

I would tell them they have one more chance to get everything PERFECT, give them a list and tell them if it aint done they're gonna catch ten kinds of HELL!

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'97 XLT SC, Teal with lower Black. 4.6 V8, 3.55LS
Moderatly customized. One of a kind. Born 5/96

Modifications made: Tinted glass / Window ventvisors / 10 Disc changer / Dash painted to match 99 Lightning / White Faced Gauges / Expedition console / Painted to match Bug Shield / Expedition front bumper w/ lights / Lariat fender trim / STX wheels/tires / Billet Grill w/ Mustang emblem / Painted to match Tailgate handle / K&N filter / Superchip / Airaid filter kit / Dual exhaust / ASC Electric moonroof.


More to come...

[This message has been edited by 97customXLT (edited 04-08-2000).]