So I'm more or less a jackass (Story inside)

Today I decided to go mudding, I also decided to get stuck yada yada yada. Well In that same off road terrain area (here's where it gets interesting) there is a section where there are 2 large whoops. Me deciding to play around a little I decide to slightly jump them at a low speed being that the ground is somewhat hard dirt even though it just rained (about 10mph). No problems whatsoever, my UCA was hitting the fender well here and there but whatever. On my very last set of little jumps I was driving at them with the sun directly in my face, so I must have been slightly blinded and went faster then what I was usually going, which caused the truck to overshoot the landing a little. It ended up nosediving face first into a harder patch of dirt which caused my steel stock style skid plate to punch in and up into the front, it also caused my little wings under the headlights to come flying off, and it made the bumper literally rub on the fenders in the front, and the front clip on the fender flares to break, oh and it also caused my lower LED bar to break off it's mounting point :,(

I was able to take the steel skid off, as well as the LED bar which was just hanging around on the bottom of my setup. After attempting to reinsert the wings under the headlights I happened to notice they wouldn't fit back in because the mounting points shifted slightly. The hood line fitment is no longer flush with the fenders and the bumper is very tight to the fenders. I was able to lower it down so it wouldn't be sitting directly on the fenders though luckily.

Here are the pictures of my current problems. Based upon what you see, what do you think I should do? Please no smartassery. I want to laugh too, but after this is all dealt with.

You can see where the hood line in front actually looks warped, or just off


Yes the hood is fully shut




Tight bumper fitment








Now the story isn't too sour, where there is lemons you CAN make lemonade. I have a Bruteforce Hybrid bumper being built for me currently so even if my crash bars behind the bumper were slightly bent enough to tweak the fitment, which is what I'm thinking may have happened. The bumper swap out will remedy that issue. As for the others. Suggestions? Insurance claim? Out of pocket? Maybe the bumper is causing the entire problem?


Whats funny about this whole thing is that as much of a hit as it was to tweak things, the headlights still sit perfectly aimed and level as to where they were before.

Be easy on me, thanks guys.

 

First.

 

Second.

 

Third.


If you are going to post, please actually make a suggestion.

 

Fourth.

I'd start removing as many damaged parts as possible. See what really needs replaced and what can just be adjusted. As for as insurance, as tempting as it is. IMO, off road = your on your own when damages occur.

 

That's kind of what I was thinking you would say. I really don't think there is an adjustment for the bumper though is there? No hood adjustment as well I'm guessing? I was thinking of removing the bumper just to see if it alleviates any additional movement stress it may be causing other parts.

 

x2 try not to use insurance unless you really really have to! even if out of pocket if 2 or 300 more i’d go that way. also cheaper in the long run. make a clam on insurance, your rate will probably go up.

edit. hood could be fine. take headlights out and also see if maybe the fenders are bent at all. they maybe bent slightly and be throwing everything els off...???

 

Depends how smooth you want things to be.
When removing parts you may find something. Bro just replaced the crossmember and was able tk get everything lined back up in his s10

 

Insurance. Rate may go up. Deductible. And damage is on record. I'd pay an extra $500 to avoid recorded damage

 

I had a feeling that would be the case, which is why I wanted to ask before I even opened my mouth with them. I just can't even begin to imagine what is jacked up. There is really no accurate way to take measurements on angles of anything either. I'm kind of at a standstill at the moment and have done all I can to improve its look and not make it look so jacked up for the night at least. The hood is definitely one thing that is a serious eyesore though. And I have no idea what the issue there is.

I am willing to pay out of pocket to fix whatever the problem may be. if it is simply replaceable brackets then I have no issue replacing them myself. It's something in the frame being bent that I would obviously not be able to replace myself and what I am afraid may be causing the issue. Though I doubt it.

 

is the edge of the hood lined up back by the windshield?

 

Thirteenth

 

you cannot claim insurance for what you did. in terms of the front bumper, its only connected via crush guard and plastic tabs (i think six). Your hood is fubar.....you need to bend it back yourself or have a shop do it for you.

check for bent headlight tabs, grill tabs, etc and bend/vice them back into place....

 

I don't know I have not looked in that area yet. If it is not, do you think the hood may have just shifted from its original mounting from the hinge brackets from the impact?

 

This is exactly why I will not use my truck for mudding like this. If I were you I would be prepared to shell out a good chunk of change to get your truck fixed.

 

check if there there is any damage to the hood latch. from what i see the impact sent the grill/ headlights up into the hood.....or worst the fenders

 

Your core support may be bent.. no biggie, that's just Long Travel problems haha

 

The grille was shifted up and I can somewhat see that. The headlights themselves are actually okay. They are secure and in place. One popped out of a mounting pressure point but I corrected that easily.

Do you guys require more pictures? I can take more of areas in question if needed?

 

if it is lined up the hood if probably for sure bent. if it is not lined up 100%, you maybe able to line it back up but not sure never have messed with anything like this.

 

Haha no shit? So what you are saying is that all the LT guys run into this issue anyways?