Just damaged my truck... need guidance.

I have been burned trying that before. Won't do it again.

Once they find out how high the cost is.

 

arb, relentless fab, ato, cbi, demello off road

this is a gift believe it or not now you have a legit excuse to get some plate steel between you and the rest of the world,

 

That bottom row is the "actual tube"...
Even if it's not leaking now, it's stressed from the bend and with road vibration it's just a matter of time before it fails.


It's damage from an accident and needs to be replaced by the at-fault party's insurance company.
Even that bumper cover is not going to be cheap.
It's easy to look at damage and think "That's not bad, he's a nice guy, I feel sorry for hitting his Deere, I'll just fix it myself"

No... that works if you look at it and figure "I can live with that" as I have done on some parking lot dings.
If you intend to fix it, don't assume it's going to be cheap.
A grille is over $200.

 

I realize that the bottom row has R134-A flowing it. Though it may fail with time, why replace such a costly part (labor and parts in total) if it is still operational? I see cars in the shop all the time with much worse damage and not a leak. I am all for the "maintaining" attitude when it comes to maintenance, but that is one I would leave alone until it actually failed. Considering the OP is coming out of his own pocket on this repair, I think the money is better spent elsewhere. But to each their own.

 

The guy that cant tie a knot should be paying for the damages as well as a fine for unsecured load. God help someone that looses something from their vehicle and I hit it damage or not. I sure as hell wont feel bad for them that I just destroyed their stuff, I also wont feel bad when im calling police.

 

They would not necessarily fully responsible, the OP had time to make a decision to swerve, and for that right reason chose not to. I commend the OP and would have done the same.

 

That's what I'm saying... this should NOT be out of pocket for the OP.
He needs to report this to his insurance company and let the at-fault party pay to restore his truck to it's original condition.

It may or may not ever be a problem, but he's going to be pretty upset if he doesn't do this right, figuring it's cheap, and then DOES get a leak in 6 months when he has no recourse.


It may not even come out of the guy who dropped the Deere.
It may come from the OP's policy... in that case, he's out the deductible and it'll be fixed properly.... or he can pay many times his deductible.

 

You are a good person-Make the best of it-Could have been much worse.
Just chalk it up to a learning experience.
Good that YOUR WIFE and everyone else was not hurt!
BTW-GREAT excuse to UPGRADE~~~~~~~~!!!!!!
Hope its a boy=LOL

 

It is in fact a boy! Due in November. Thanks!

Now moving past the legality of who's at fault and payer source...

What should I do to my truck?

 

If you are not prepared to spend money on a plate bumper yet D), remove the broken teeth in the bumper grille and cover the whole slot with a Grillecraft or other brand mesh piece. For example:


Fog light insert can be bought at your local dealer or online. For example:
http://www.iautobodyparts.com/to103...mper_fog_light_hole_cover_insert-details.html (just the first Google result, not endorsing vendor)