Frame Damage

Hello, everyone just looking for some advice or any recommendations. A few months ago my truck was hit at a low speed by a large truck and in the end, the shop said I have very minor frame damage to where my aftermarket bumper is connected. This is located in the crumple zone and according to the shop is very minor. I ended up not deciding to total it and insurance still gave me a good chunk of money for it and kept it a clean title. I got the bumper straightened out and then the shop braced the frame and bumper in the area of the damage. According to the shop, it's still safe to drive just not as safe if I was to get hit but from what I hear in other places that's not the case. So is there anyone out there who drives around with minor frame damage? Do you experience issues or any tips? Keep in mind my frame is damage way in the front.

 

Ewwfff, I don’t like the sound of this, but I don’t have the details either. Not just from a safety aspect, but resale too. I can’t imagine an insurance company ok’ing something like this.

I’d think you’d need an experienced frame tech look it over.

 

If you were already driving with an aftermarket bumper, you already changed how the truck will crumple in an impact (unless it is an ARB bumper, which is the only one I have heard of that has been crash tested). Sounds like the frame wasn't tweaked enough to impact the ability to align the wheels. My personal opinion is that if the shop was able to fix it, you are likely no worse off than before as far as safety is concerned since it's not a stock configuration. That's a personal trade-off that many choose to make -- I have both front and rear aftermarket bumpers, but I don't have little ones in car seats anymore either. I personally wouldn't worry about it, but no, your truck will not perform as originally designed if you have another accident.

 

Got rear ended and pushed into another car with a 1999 Tacoma. Taco damage was over $8,000 and included some frame straightening. Drove it around 75,000 miles after that. No problem.

 

They're telling the truth. Once metal bends, it is weakened and will absorb energy differently.

 

How did the title remain clean?

 

Ad to that, How did the insurance approve such a repair?
Sumpin stink like da poopoo

 

She probably means not a salvage title.

 

I’d like to know how you kept a clean title with a totalled truck

 

You either bought the truck back from the insurance company(salvage title).

Or

The damage wasn’t reported properly and I’d hate to be the sucker that buys this truck used.

 

Ok ok ok. I’m calling troll on this. 2013 taco, first post, yada yada yada.

 

Acocording to the insurance company they said they would pay me out and not salvage title it and let me keep it, if I was to not keep it they were going to salvage it and give me mose cash

 

I went through the person who hit mes insurance and they said once they give me the money it’s out of there hands so I had to pay for the bracing myself. I agree it does seem quite odd

 

They said they wouldn’t report the damage and just cash me out I didn’t have to buy it back or anything!

 

Low impact, no worries...

 

Ya, baby, Di'Anno Rocks!!!!

 

i just don't understand this. so they paid out for the entire truck as a 'total loss' which would normally result in a salvage title, but you kept the truck and it's title status, and they're still allowing you to continue the insurance policy on it like nothing happened?

this was your insurance, or was this going through the other parties insurance?
or did another insurance company just pay 'hush money' for what the damages were going to be?(that's well within their rights to cut a check for damages, and let you figure it out)

sounds shady af, and plenty of room for liability lawsuits to be thrown around like halloween candy later on.

 

^Looks like the insurance co. paid for a significant repair, not totaling the vehicle:

 

I think they meant they could replace frame and that would total it and that is one way.
Or, they could pay to straighten the frame and that would not total it and it keeps a clean title.
That's what I took from this thread.
In the end, it's your vehicle and if you sigh the paper then you accept the liability.

 

This. Straightening the frame horns is minor, considering the modifications seen on this forum for serious off-roading (cab mount relocate, crossmember chop, LCA pivots, engine cage...). My local mechanic plated over the crumple zones on his 4Runner frame to reinforce it for winching.