magsnubby
Getting the Wheeling Fever
Reged: 09/27/05
Posts: 25
Loc: Fresno, Ca.
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I have a '91 YJ i've put a ton of money, time and work into. Three weeks ago today i was on my way home from work when a guy in a Ford Taurus came out of a service station driveway right in front of me. I smacked him doing about 35 mph. The right front tire and frame took all the impact. It bent the frame, destroyed the tire & rim, bent the axle housing, tie rods, etc. So the guys insurance says it's repariable. I really hope so, the Jeep has alot of sentimental value (not to mention 2 years of ot money).
So here's my dilemma:since i'll be fixing it myself, and the frame looks really tweaked (the front bumber is about 3" lower on the right side) and is most likely diamond shaped, should i just have the frame strightened or replace the whole frame? I'm just not really convinced that it'll ever be the same again. I know changing the frame is a major project, but i figure it can't be much harder than my other hobby of building old pickups.
A couple of my buddies have suggested just junking it and starting over. I just can't bring myself to do it. The Jeep was the last project my bro-in-law (he was always more like my big bro) of almost 40 years and i ever worked on together before he passed on. We did the 4" RE lift and 1" bl last Memorial Day. So junking it is not an option.
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cuervo25
Body Damage is Cool
Reged: 06/16/04
Posts: 1063
Loc: new jersey
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ok if the guys insurance company say it is repairable,get it in writing.then by all means take them for all you can. here is a site for custom frames frame
then upgrade the front steering sytem as well blaming it on the accident.if they then try to total it you are covered by what they wrote and signed. then try to get more due to sentimental value.
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out of all the jeeps in this town the d**n gremlin had to invade mine
I've done so much,with so little for so long i can practicly do anything with nothing
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BigJim
Web Wheeler
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 7724
Loc: Central Texas
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I am sorry to say that it will cost more to repair that jeep than it is worth.. Go find another you would drive and make em buy it for you and GIVE you the old one! You can do it just speak up.
Big JIm 
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professional bovine relocation specialist
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oldgreen
Wheeler
Reged: 08/14/05
Posts: 209
Loc: winnipeg,manitoba
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You can replace the frame but its a lot of work. I did it on my cj7 and it cost $650 canadian and about 2 months of time. Good luck.
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84 CJ7 304 HEI 35 BFG,s rear dana 60 with detroit locker,Viar compressor, fibreglass body, 2 1/2 spring lift, TF999auto, Warn 8000 winch, Plus a cool little trailer on 35,s. JEEP stands for just empty every pocket
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magsnubby
Getting the Wheeling Fever
Reged: 09/27/05
Posts: 25
Loc: Fresno, Ca.
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I know know replacing the frame is alot of work, but it can't be any harder than my other hobby, building old pickups.
I have a line on a nice frame...a strong son...a big ole redneck nephew with some good sized friends...
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BobRowe
Body Damage is Cool
Reged: 09/25/05
Posts: 1087
Loc: Southeast Michigan
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Why are you even worried about how much work it will be to replace the frame? I did it on my CJ, and it IS a lot of work, but I did it because the frame broke while off-raoding (it was rusted).
You're talking about a MVA that is someone else's fault and their insurance is acknowledging it. Find a source for a new frame (there's a couple listed in the FWDH catalog), and give the info to a collision shop, and have the insurnce pay for having them fix it.
Same with the axle and all the other stuff. Why should you spend all the time doing the work. Have it done by a shop and have the insurance pay for it.
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1977 CJ-7, fiberglass body, AMC 360 w/ headers, DUI ignition, Edelbrock intake and Holley 4150 carb, TF999, Dana 300, 4.56 gears lockers, York air comp, 4" susp lift, 2" body lift, BFG 35" M-T tires, Megashifter, AGR pump & box, REP8000 winch.
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magsnubby
Getting the Wheeling Fever
Reged: 09/27/05
Posts: 25
Loc: Fresno, Ca.
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Quote:
Why are you even worried about how much work it will be to replace the frame?
Because i've saw to many vehicles with repaired frames that never tracked stright.
Quote:
Find a source for a new frame (there's a couple listed in the FWDH catalog), and give the info to the collision shop, and have the insurnce pay for having them fix it.
Because the insurance company will only pay to repair the frame, not fix it.
Quote:
Same with the axle and all the other stuff. Why should you spend all the time doing the work.
Because i like taking a pile of something and turning it into a nice vehicle. I enjoyed building it the first time, i'll enjoy rebuilding it even more.
Quote:
Have it done by a shop and have the insurance pay for it.
The adjuster assesses the damage then gives the estimate to the insurance company. That's the amount they pay to fix the vehicle. Doesn't make any difference if it's the shop that gets the money or me, it's still the same amount.
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Seattlegti
Body Damage is Cool
Reged: 06/23/05
Posts: 1038
Loc: Seattle WA, USA
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SWEET! Sorry to hear your Jeep got smacked but man that awsome they say it's repairable. Rare with frame damage.
Yes definitly get it in writnig and get a DEALERSHIP quote to fix it, hell get 2 dealer quotes.
My buddy Erics 2001 Tacoma got smacked and bent the frame as well. The insurance co shelled out 16 grand to replace the frame and right front a arm. Frame was 4K, a arm was 800. Him and his dad did the rest throughout the summer.
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Wrangler JK
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cuervo25
Body Damage is Cool
Reged: 06/16/04
Posts: 1063
Loc: new jersey
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get a price on straightining the frame and if it is higher than a new frame show that to the insurance company. i bet you they will let you change the frame. another thing insurence adjusters don't know jack about body work or mechanics they just go by what they are told.
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out of all the jeeps in this town the d**n gremlin had to invade mine
I've done so much,with so little for so long i can practicly do anything with nothing
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magsnubby
Getting the Wheeling Fever
Reged: 09/27/05
Posts: 25
Loc: Fresno, Ca.
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I signed the release papers yesterday so i should be getting the insurance check some time next week. After looking at the initial appraisal report i could see the appraiser missed some major damage. The radiator (I told her twice the fan hit the radiator), bent tie rods, u-bolts and axel housing wasn't on the initial appraisal. A quick phone call and she agreed to met me at one o'clock to check out the unassessed damage. I took off work, met her at my house, i had already took the tire off so i could get a better look at the axel, she documented the damage and said "I'll have to get back to you on the axel. I have to talk to my supervisor and see how he wants to handle the axel damage."
I headed back to work. An hour later she called me.
First estimate:$2,372.31
Second estimate:$4,520.42
Insurance settlement:$5,000.00
She said since the damage was approaching the value of the jeep, and i had told her i was going to fix it myself, would i settle for $5000 to cover any unseen damage? I told her i would, she faxed me the release papers and estimate, i read, signed and faxed them back.
Now i just have to decide wheather i'm going to repair or replace the frame.
I do have one good thing going, my wife works for NAPA auto parts. So i can get the radiator and tie rod assembly hell for cheap.
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