2001 F150 Lariat crew cab 4x4 I bought with 135k miles now at 211k.

Last night a lady decided to cut a corner at an intersection and make her bmw kiss the front of my truck. The front tow hook/frame rail extension was bent at a 45 degree angle, bumper pushed up 2 inches and grill cracked, but damage is actually very minimal. No signs of any issues with the radiator or other cooling systems. HOWEVER, both the airbags deployed. Insurance is telling me the truck will be totaled due to airbag deployment, but i'm kicking around buying it back from them and repairing.

Reasons to repair:
i've tracked every tank of fuel on it and done all the repairs myself with motorcraft parts. truck is driven daily as a road warrior and in great shape body and paint are just about flawless. I HIGHLY doubt i'll be able to find a replacement in as good of shape/so many new parts for what they give me for it. KBB is showing 4-7.5k.

upper intake manifold
control arms, ball joints, tie rods
new brakes all 4 corners
fuel pump
rear window seal
water pump
alternator
front hubs
etc.
just bought a new set of ac parts for a leaking connection

The body shop is telling me they don't repair airbags due to liability, they shop it out to the dealerships. Called a smaller local dealer and they can't find airbags new anywhere in the country (expected). I can however, find them all over LKQ online for $50-57 each from trucks with no signs of body damage. The local ford dealer said they would install whatever I brought in for about $200. With passenger and driver's side going off + seatbelt, i know i need those 3 items. I don't know where the control module is for those though. Waiting to hear back on insurance if they will insure a salvage title.

Thoughts on keeping? Anyone gone the salvage route, particularly in Texas with advice? Buy it back and part it out?

 

I’d lean keep.

The control module is behind that black cover under the AC controls, above the transmission tunnel. I think that can be reset.

I think it just pries off.

 

I would keep it. Doesn't look that bad by the pictures. The air bags would concern me though, just because i have never replaced air bags before.

 

Over 200K mi and 23 yrs old......Now a salvage vehicle.

I would probably let it go. Salvage titles bring their own headaches. Try to pin down the insurance for the total value and if need be, have them send out a claims adjuster to see the limited damage. That may help your case.

I had an old car that was in a minor accident and the insurance company just wanted to total it. The adjuster told them it was still in good condition and worth repairing. So they paid for the repair costs.

 

Yep airbags and seat belts cost so much to replace the proper way..... When you put a little body work on top of that it'll total any vehicle under $6000

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I wish I could offer better advice but have you had any quotes on the repair? If it can be done reasonably I would fix it. If you have owned & personally taken care of the maintenance then I would keep it Without a Doubt.

Salvage takes time & you may be disappointed with the outcome.

 

Have been told by insurance it's 99% likely totaled. But we shall see.

 

I would lean keep it
Just know that the dash gets splayed out when the bag blows and so does the steering wheel
That way when you replace the air bags, they do not fit the opening well
GMs are possibly worse, needing a 3200 dollar module to even start the diagnosis procedure after a deployment
New air bags have to be ground shipped and are very expensive

 

If they total it, see what the buyback is and go from there. I would be interested in it for a hunting truck if you don't end up keeping. I'm in Texas as well, so let me know! This is one of the hard realities of owning these older trucks. Really sorry somebody hit you man.

 

That's why I keep my pass airbag turned OFF, unless theirs someone in the seat.
Half of the problem.
Go find a used ab. I see plenty of them for sale.