Already wrecked my truck.... 2 weeks I've had it

CDub01 · July 15, 2006

Pulled up at the apartment and got out... forgot to put it in park (I know I'm a dumbass...) so the truck started moving. I quickly hit the parking brake as it's the closest brake pedal to me. My girlfriend, however, thought that she would reach across the hump in the floorboard and hit the brake... well she hit the gas by accident!

350ci V8 vs. parking brake = tree

Hopefully it won't cost too much to fix..... I have insurance but I'll only use it if it's more than $1000 worth of damage because my deductible is $500.

We'll see.

It needs an alignment now too after jumping the hump....

pm26 · July 15, 2006

At first glance the damage is in the $ 2000 range minimum. You need to replace the hood and bumper, possibly even the front grill.

rjirvine · July 15, 2006

Man that sucks. At least you have my favorite tires on (Michelin LTX M/S). I've discovered most the expense on car repairs is paint. You'll get what you pay for.

diverlloyd · July 15, 2006

you call yourself a dumba**, but it wasn't you who put your foot on the gas. Make your girlfriend pay the deductible and then it will probably be time to look for a new girlfriend.

CDub01 · July 15, 2006

it will probably be time to look for a new girlfriend.

We have kids together.... don't think that's going to happen anytime soon.

saltwater_addict · July 15, 2006

Im by no means a body work expert but i bet you could get the bumper and hood pretty cheap now painting the hood i have no idea but ive seen so many obs bumpers for sale in papers after people put front end replacements and have no more use for them like 50$ good luck hope it all works out

OUMike · July 15, 2006

Yea I had damage very similar to that. Its gonna cost about 2 grand. Mine was about 2750, and I had to have a quarterpanal replaced and painted.

You'll need, hood, bumper, bumper trip, grille (its gonna look weird if you don't replace) and paint and labor for everything.

Dana_15 · July 16, 2006

Glad you and your girl are OK. Just read this story at TN also.

pwall · July 16, 2006

Man that sucks....but in the end, at least neither you or your girlfriend were hurt.

ken1mod · July 16, 2006

It really looks to me like this is one you could make a profit on. Get your check from the ins co and buy a new hood and bumper.

There are supply houses that sell new parts (probably chinese) that really are great quality. I was in business for 25 years and did this many times. these parts were always cheaper than salvage yard prices but salvage is ok too.

Just be sure to get the best paint job because this is the weak part of the job. You might want to get the front clip painted to move the inevitable slight mismatch to the side rather than the hood/fender seam.

You will save enough money to take the girlfriend out to a great restaurant at least.

ken

OUMike · July 17, 2006

It really looks to me like this is one you could make a profit on. Get your check from the ins co and buy a new hood and bumper.

There are supply houses that sell new parts (probably chinese) that really are great quality. I was in business for 25 years and did this many times. these parts were always cheaper than salvage yard prices but salvage is ok too.

Just be sure to get the best paint job because this is the weak part of the job. You might want to get the front clip painted to move the inevitable slight mismatch to the side rather than the hood/fender seam.

You will save enough money to take the girlfriend out to a great restaurant at least.

ken

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Graet point. I did this exact thing, except I Was able to go through a dealer for work. I ended making a couple hundred dollars, and got my hood painted.

TheEvilX · July 17, 2006

Why bother spending big bucks to get it fixed? If its more than $100 go to a junkyard, find a truck that doesnt have a wrecked front end (same year, etc) and have it repainted to match? Must cheaper. I love the junkyard.

CDub01 · July 17, 2006

Buddy of mine and myself opened the hood today to see if anything under the hood was damaged. Sure enough, the radiator support is bent slightly in addition to the other cosmetic damage.

Looks like I'm turning this one into insurance and paying the $500 deductible.

The insurance premium increase due to this will be $30 per month extra. Over the course of 3 years (how long it'll be on my record) that accounts to $1080. In addition to the $500 deductible, It will cost me $1580 to get it fixed. I think that it'll cost more than that now.

Needs a new fender too... unless they can fix this one.

asilverblazer · July 17, 2006

I would not turn it in to insurance, I would fix it myself and have it repainted if required. I hate insurance. 500$ worth of parts max, then paint cost. I had a WHOLE car professionally repainted (no Macco) for $1600. I think the insurance will stick around for a while, it's not like a driving record that things magically go away after a while. I think it may end upo costing you more in the long run.

CDub01 · July 17, 2006

I would not turn it in to insurance, I would fix it myself and have it repainted if required. I hate insurance. 500$ worth of parts max, then paint cost. I had a WHOLE car professionally repainted (no Macco) for $1600. I think the insurance will stick around for a while, it's not like a driving record that things magically go away after a while. I think it may end upo costing you more in the long run.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The hood alone will cost most of that $500 (non aftermarket brand new)

Body shop quoted me $300 to put on a fender and paint it.... and I already had the fender!

And insurance only tracks accidents from the past 35 months