100 Proof

> I was stopped at a light and some guy went to answer his cell phone hit me from behind. I've only got 4,200 miles on this truck. The only apparent damage to mine is a couple of dents in the rear bumper. The truck that hit me (2002 Ford Ranger) sufferd severe damage to his front bumper and grille. It looks like my hitch receiver took the brunt of the hit, but it does not appear to be damaged.

What should I be checking for to see if there is hidden damage, especially to the frame and hitch? ???

100 Proof

spots

Put it on a hoist. You will see if the frame is damaged. Check the bolts for the hitch for shearing. Check box alignment, tailgate operation.

cumminsho2500

man thats horrible.....i hate all these idiots who cant even drive right in the first place using cell phones... that sucks. first of all the guy was driving a ford so maybe his brakes went out?

100 Proof

Hey Spots-

Thanks for the advice. I'll have it checked out from underneath. Methinks his insurance company owes me a bumper anyway. I'll probably just change out the hitch mounting bolts 'cause. The visual alignments are all looking good and the tailgate works flawlessly.

I don't think there is any serious damage (to my truck) but it sure is irritating with it being so new.

100 Proof

SuperGewl

Have a GOOOOD Dodge dealer go over it and give you their written estimate this way when you give it to the insurance company there are no questions & then they will also warranty the work for life.
Just my .02 worth.
Sorry about accident.
A friend of mine had his new Dakota rear ended & he hadn't even made his first payment yet

mymaur

Did the rear bumper fold up likea beer can. They are so flimsy, that I always felt the slightest bump would dent them. Now the hitch and frame are a different story.

I used to be in the body shop business, you may well have frame damage. But fear not. It is easily fixed. THey now how computer operated frame machines. Hook up and slowly pull it back where it belongs. If the frame is buckled or kinked different story. But from what you describe, sounds like, if it's bent, should be very slight.

Good luck.

100 Proof

[quote author=mymaur link=board=17;threadid=19069;start=0#msg179295 date=1062441834]
Did the rear bumper fold up likea beer can.
[/quote]

Naw, It's just got a coulple of small dents. The Ranger's bumper is a mess though! It's creased in the middle with about a 30 degree bend. The ends are sticking out WAAAAY further than the middle.

The Dodge bumper may be flimsy, but that Ford bumper is aluminim foil in comparison!

Actually I shouldn't laugh because the guy who hit me is really a nice guy albeit a tad innatentive. (That's what the cop thought too.) But I need to get some entertainment value out of this somewhere or I'll make myself crazy.

100 Proof

100 Proof

I'm giving serious consideration to replacing my dented rear bumper with a steel, chrome, diamond plate unit. Any idea where I can get such a beast?

100 Proof

JKE

Really sorry to hear about that 100. Bad deal.

I would do exactly as you suggested on changing the mount bolts for your hitch. You could have a stress crack (fatigue)near the head of the bolt. It will fail over time and you don't want your (insert whatever - allison 21' rig with 2.5 merc) going by you at a stop sign. Do the right thing and do not trust anything that causes you to second guess or even pause for that matter! I maybe making a little bit of a big deal of this, but that is how I would be under the same cicumstances.

Later

John

Festus

Have you checked into someone building you an aluminum bumper. Strong, light. Polished properly, it'll look just like chrome.

I'm planning on changing mine out before someone has the opportunity to damage my new truck.

I'm sorry to hear of your situation.

BamBam

Well if you need a rear bumper I have one cheep....

converteddzlr

Had the same thing happen to me a week and a half ago. '89 mustang tried to crawl underneath me while stopped for traffic. Got out to take a look and the chrome wasn't even scratched, just a little bend like a ball peen hammer had hit me about a foot left of the receiver. But the front of that poor car She wasn't too happy but apologized up and down.

By the way, one of these bumpers new installed is about $773.00 canadian (which probably works out to about $10.00 US )

Patrick Campbell

[quote author=100 Proof link=board=17;threadid=19069;start=0#msg179208 date=1062429410]
> I was stopped at a light and some guy went to answer his cell phone hit me from behind. I've only got 4,200 miles on this truck. The only apparent damage to mine is a couple of dents in the rear bumper. The truck that hit me (2002 Ford Ranger) sufferd severe damage to his front bumper and grille. It looks like my hitch receiver took the brunt of the hit, but it does not appear to be damaged.

What should I be checking for to see if there is hidden damage, especially to the frame and hitch? ???

100 Proof
[/quote]

Do you need a new bumper? I have an 03 chrome bumper with a tiny ding in it.

100 Proof

Thanks for the offers njoverkill & BamBam-

I'm really in the market for a custom diamond plate unit in chrome or polished aluminum. Who makes these? Any web sites I can browse?

100 Proof

spots

Wonder if a local welding shop would fabricate one for you exactly to your specs?? I'd go aluminum if you have a choice.