Insurance wants to total this!
#21
Senior Member
I would have a serious look into the cost of repair first.
Many people toss numbers out there for repairs that may or may not actually have an idea of real costs.
I was involved in this business as my father ran an independent auto appraisal company until his retirement a couple of years ago. Usually costs for repairs are much higher then people expect. From my experience, that is more than a couple grand in damage, easily topping $4k at any reputable shop. Can you find someone to do it cheaper? Certainly, but you generally get what you pay for in workmanship and quality of parts.
I am not saying it is not worth it but be certain before you move ahead on anything.
Also I agree you can usually bump the first offer up
Good luck
Many people toss numbers out there for repairs that may or may not actually have an idea of real costs.
I was involved in this business as my father ran an independent auto appraisal company until his retirement a couple of years ago. Usually costs for repairs are much higher then people expect. From my experience, that is more than a couple grand in damage, easily topping $4k at any reputable shop. Can you find someone to do it cheaper? Certainly, but you generally get what you pay for in workmanship and quality of parts.
I am not saying it is not worth it but be certain before you move ahead on anything.
Also I agree you can usually bump the first offer up
Good luck
#23
Senior Member
I rebuild salvage vehicles on the side as well. From just looking at the pic, the only parts you will need is the cab corner and running board. Everything else can be easily pulled out and dollied straight.
Last edited by screamineagle; 02-03-2016 at 03:41 PM.
#25
Senior Member
#28
Moderator (Ret.)
I agree with Dirttracker18. It's also best to be realistic in your own bodywork skills. For me, I can (and will) tackle just about anything mechanical, but when it comes to metal/aluminum bodywork, I can simply look at a body panel and make it rust in front of my eyes.
So if you're not handy with cutting, removing, aligning, and painting body panels, its not going to come out well. Then you'll end up taking it somewhere to have it done correctly. Labor costs can (and are) high when it comes to good body work. I'd be very weary of someone who gives me a low quote on bodywork; more than likely, the worked areas will rust, the paint will bubble or peel quickly, and/or the alignment will be poor on cheap body shop work.
Be sure you know what your in for before you decide to buy it back and have it done yourself or by someone else if you go that route. You have a nice truck; it appears that a qualified or experienced person can repair it, but at what cost, that is the real money issue here.
So if you're not handy with cutting, removing, aligning, and painting body panels, its not going to come out well. Then you'll end up taking it somewhere to have it done correctly. Labor costs can (and are) high when it comes to good body work. I'd be very weary of someone who gives me a low quote on bodywork; more than likely, the worked areas will rust, the paint will bubble or peel quickly, and/or the alignment will be poor on cheap body shop work.
Be sure you know what your in for before you decide to buy it back and have it done yourself or by someone else if you go that route. You have a nice truck; it appears that a qualified or experienced person can repair it, but at what cost, that is the real money issue here.
Last edited by Mod (Ret.); 02-04-2016 at 04:42 AM.
#29
Senior Member
On my old '05, this damage cost $5000. Deer strike, caught the buck by the antler, threw him around to the side where he bounced on down through. Upper bumper, headlight, fender, mirror, replace driver's door (bent crash bar) and fix back door...
#30
Redskin Nation
Someone mentioned if there is frame damage the vehicle is usually totaled...not true. I have 2 Chief frame machines with full computer measurements that would disagree. A full frame vehicle (if frame is diamond) can warrant a frame replacement, but the impact pictured should not have caused that severe frame damage. Good luck!