My wife was in a head on collision with my truck and it held up pretty well. The truck was ruled a total loss but it could have been worse. I will try to attach some pictures.

BART

 

So, I take it the air worked OK and your wife is OK?
What town in CT?

Pete

 

Airbags, seatbelt and the size of the truck helped. Near Torrington

 

You should change the title to "2004 AND Wife held up well ", glad shes alright! On the bright side, I guess that means new truck.

 

Glad to hear your wife is ok. Are you thinking about a buy back? It looks like the engine should be in good shape. Part it out and make some money. Don't be afraid to negotiate with them on the buy back price.

 

Check post #33

OUCH!!!! Glad to hear yours is okay(wife).

Chris

 

Curious as to the combined speed of the impact.... and how big (and how much damaged to) was the other vehicle?
Our factory bumpers are notoriously weak. With an after market replacement bumper... she probably could have driven home....maybe?

But nothing like having 7000 lbs around you, just in case!
Glad she's OK.

RJ

 

My accident broke the intake horn, the bell crank and the exhaust manifold. All from the front pieces that were relocated about a foot rearwards. Best part is the wrecker service dropped the truck in the wrong place and the body shop had to move it. It still started ran and drove under it's own power to the back of the building. No power steering or brakes, but the cummins didn't die!

Chris

 

What you can't see is the front axel was shoved back and the oil pan, transmission and everything was destroyed. the driverside front wheel came into the floor board and pushed some of it past sthe pedals. I have a picture from the passengerside showing how the frame is bent and the passenger door is stuck open.

 

wow i can see how much the frame is bent in this shot, that's pretty crazy, right dem ther!!!

 

Im curious about that as well. What would have been the difference in the damage to the truck, had it been sporting an aftermarket front end replacement? I have to believe it would have fared better.

..

 

The problem with aftermarket bumper is they direct more energy to the frame, and still can have extensive frame damage.

MikeyB

 

That's right. The frames are designed to "crumple" and the bumpers are made with less steel than say 20 years ago. My impact was at 45 mph and the other car at 20, said combined impact 60 mph. The frame was bent in front of the firewall, and behind the cab around the axle bend. All of this was to protect the cab and it's occupants, which it did beautifully for me. No scratches and stumbly walked away. All doors opened without effort, and closed properly.

Chris

 

Sorry to see your truck in that shape. Its great though that your wife is ok. I'm a firm believer in driving big vehicles. Accidents are a serious matter and most of these cars today couldn't hold up to what the cars of yesterday could.

My fathers life was saved by his Little Red Express back in 92. Went off the road, caught two marker post and that popped his tires on one side. Cause him to vier into a field culvert. He ended up doing 2 full slips in the air and landing on the cab directly. It broke the motor mounts and cracked the windshield and that is no lie. He walked out with a cut that he received while climbing out. Dodge builds a tough truck. I wouldn't have wanted to see the outcome of that in a Ferd or Cheby.

 

Not an engineer but have always believed they tend to absorb much of the energy and by doing so, tend to protect the frame?

I know I have heard tens of reports on how after market bumpers protected the radiator and the engine from damage... allowing the occupants to drive to civilization from the middle of nowhere!

RJ