I did want it to be totaled. He said it's rare they total a Dmax. Should be ready to go in two weeks unless some hidden damage is found. We'll see...
Wrecked - Frame Twisted
- Thread starter Buccanoles
- Start date
Sorry but I would refuse it and take them to court. Its your truck and they caused the accident. If it had the slightest noise, rattle, shake anything when you get it back I'd take it back, park it and make them fix it no matter what.
My truck was wrecked way worse that that and the dame insuance co didn't tell me about my frame being bent. I dicovered it after my first set of tires that didn't last a year. Mine has a slight twist right at the gear box and its just enough that the doors don't line up just right on the passenger side but its bent on the driver side. I've done said F it bc its been so long now got a guy thats going to straighten it. looks like your in the same boat just a bout, God luck with it!
Trust me, when they say it's ready I'm coming with a pad and pen ready to take notes.
Might want to go a few days before its ready, talk to bodyman and explain your concern. you will find out at that time wether or not it has been fixed properly. Ask him if you can look it over before he gets done with it, might save him some time tearing part of it apart again or having to bring it back because of something missed or they thought wasn't part of the wreck. That way they have time to order any parts and get them installed before you pick it up.
Also I wouldn't take the truck till it is your satisfaction and don't sign any checks or payment release until its at your satisifaction. If they are still waiting to get paid, they will junp thru hoops to satisfy you. Drive the truck with one of their guys on a long road test under different road conditions. Also look for any type of overspray in any type of jam or opening and make sure anything that was replace that normally lubed is not lubed. New latches sometimes don't come lubed and also suspension parts like ball joints.
Also I wouldn't take the truck till it is your satisfaction and don't sign any checks or payment release until its at your satisifaction. If they are still waiting to get paid, they will junp thru hoops to satisfy you. Drive the truck with one of their guys on a long road test under different road conditions. Also look for any type of overspray in any type of jam or opening and make sure anything that was replace that normally lubed is not lubed. New latches sometimes don't come lubed and also suspension parts like ball joints.
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GMC_2002_Dmax
The Still Master
I believe the frame is replaced because of the hydroforming process when originally manufactured.
The strength may be compromised once the front horns crush and the repair/straightening will not be as strong as the original frame was.
If it were my truck I would be happy to have a new frame, New England weather has caused my frame to surface rust and it would nice to have something shiny under there again.
Good Luck,
The strength may be compromised once the front horns crush and the repair/straightening will not be as strong as the original frame was.
If it were my truck I would be happy to have a new frame, New England weather has caused my frame to surface rust and it would nice to have something shiny under there again.
Good Luck,
Good luck with it, I think I actually saw your truck getting towed away thursday afternoon down tharpe street.
I hate to be the ODD MAN here- but I don't think the frame is actually bent. Body shops try to jack up the price of the repairs-- the higher the bill the more profit they make.
That was a minor accident and MY OPINION- it will take more than that to twist the frame.
That was a minor accident and MY OPINION- it will take more than that to twist the frame.
From doing body and frame work all these years, when a vehicle is hit on the corner enough to do that kind of damage, they usually bend the frame. One way to tell is if the gap inbetween the Right fender and door is closed up. It looks to atl least have side sway to the passangers side and i would guess the the first and second crumple zone on the drivers side have damage. The worst part is that the engine has much more mass than the sheetmetal and frame and on impact, it want to stay where its at more than the other parts of the vehicle. I would guess that the frame probably bent at the crossmember, not that It can't be fixed, but GM and the insurance companys have guidelines as to how much it can be straightned.
Everything is repairable, its just how much time its going to take and if its up to the factory standards. Again, it depends on how much damage there is and if it can be put back to factory specifications. I have repaird many frames and unibodys, and nowadays you have to have measuring systems of some sort and a good and caring frame and sheetmetal man. Having a great painter doesn't hurt either. If the frame is straightened propery, everything just falls back into place just like it did when its was built. I can't say enough how important a measuring system is and someone that cares to use it properly. When straightening frames, its always that last 6 mm is always the hardest to get. There were many times when pulling frames and unibodys you went to far and had to move the towers to pull it back to get it within specs.
Everything is repairable, its just how much time its going to take and if its up to the factory standards. Again, it depends on how much damage there is and if it can be put back to factory specifications. I have repaird many frames and unibodys, and nowadays you have to have measuring systems of some sort and a good and caring frame and sheetmetal man. Having a great painter doesn't hurt either. If the frame is straightened propery, everything just falls back into place just like it did when its was built. I can't say enough how important a measuring system is and someone that cares to use it properly. When straightening frames, its always that last 6 mm is always the hardest to get. There were many times when pulling frames and unibodys you went to far and had to move the towers to pull it back to get it within specs.
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^^^what rob said. also ask them to do a set up and measure on your truck and have them give you a print out. it will tell you exactly where your frame is bent and how far out of specs it is. also talk with the body mad doing the repairs. make sure he knows his way around the frame rack. if you get someone that dose not have alot of time on the rack they could possibly cause more damage to the frame if they don't pull it right. if you do end up having them fix the frame make sure you see a before and after print out of the measuring specs.
Yep that was it. Shitty day fer sure.
They said 2 weeks from last week. I am going by today to look at it and take some pictures.
I'm not a body expert so I dont know for sure. In the pic it doesnt look that bad but it was a violent hit. My truck was higher than the van and my front corner took the full blow. The pass side door wouldnt close so I knew something was bent. I'll talk to the body guy today and get some more info.
most body shops in my area don't have a computerized measuring system, they have a mechanical one. If you go by often especially when they are putting it back together, look to see if there are any elongated holes and that the bolts are close to being centered in the holes. Ask the bodyman to show you where the core support bolts are and if they are centered. Most cars are built to specs of 3mm or 1/8" tolerance.
The big thing is if all the doors, fenders, hood, bumpers, headlamps, grille centered, even gaps, and make sure they do not use anything but gm parts, not afermarket. Some used parts are ok, because your truck isn't brand new, but I would still push for new.
The big thing is if all the doors, fenders, hood, bumpers, headlamps, grille centered, even gaps, and make sure they do not use anything but gm parts, not afermarket. Some used parts are ok, because your truck isn't brand new, but I would still push for new.