Ford F150 - Revive a rear ended salvaged F-150

tai626

My 2002 f150 got rear ended and salvaged by insurance company. I couldn't let it go and bought it. Does somebone have experience to revive f150? I need advice on the DMV burocracies as well as structure tecnical repair. Thank you in advance.

thefordmaniac · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 4:37 pm Post subject:

welcome. whats your location? people from your area might be able to chime in om DMV stuff. can you post up pictures of the damage so we can get an idea of the project scale. is the frame bent? or is it cosmetic damage?

-mike
_________________
Real Americans Drive American.

is there life after death?
mess with my truck and find out

Academy Ford Service Technician
Laurel, MD
www.academyfordsales.com

tai626 · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:57 am Post subject: thank you for your fast response.

Yes, the frame was bent. i think that why insurance salvaged the truck. I will post the picture tomorrow. The truck is only 50K and I had spent a lot of money on after market acessories. Some of them didn't even got chance to be installed on the truck when it was hit. I will post the picture tomorrow and see if it is worth to revive or not.

SuperCrew · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:03 am Post subject:

Without seeing the damage, I would guess 10K could get you a new frame installed. Cheaper if you are going to do it yourself. I'm not adding in any body repair or paint - just the frame swap. You may also check around to see if there are any local shops that have frame benders, although this is not my preferred method of repair, it would be cheaper, but it would also never be straight again or as rigid.

I had my frame (and many other parts) replaced by the dealership's body shop after a front end collision a few years ago. You can see some pic of it by clicking on "my photos" to the left of this post under the avatar.

As for the DMV, I think all you need to do is show them the vehicle was repaired back to factory specs and they will issue a "Salvage Title", which means that the vehicle was totalled and repaired. This helps to protect future buyers so they know exactly what they are getting.

tai626 · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 1:25 pm Post subject:

That is ugly! I hope nobody got hurt seriously. 10k is exactly what was paid. But I bought a camry to work and not much left to pay for repair. I need to change the frame, no doubt. Is it possible swap only the rear frame? I saw once a left over from a F150 converted to a Prerunner. BTW, I am located in South California. Los Angeles, to be exactly.

thefordmaniac · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject:

best bet would be to pull off the good parts on your truck and try to get some money back through ebay. finding a good used frame will be hard to find.

-mike
_________________
Real Americans Drive American.

is there life after death?
mess with my truck and find out

Academy Ford Service Technician
Laurel, MD
www.academyfordsales.com

tai626 · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:17 am Post subject: picture

http://picasaweb.google.com/tai.liao/UntitledAlbum/photo#5198415719843055298
http://picasaweb.google.com/tai.liao/UntitledAlbum/photo#5198415719843055282
As you can see, the hitch was hit and bent the frame. Does someone has experience in swap only rear frame? there is a juction on frame where the hanger is loacated. I can get the bed and rear part of frame from junk yard. The swap seems not to complicate. 20 man hour, maybe. DMV part is what I don't know. I don't want spend money and time and end up sending truck to junk.

thefordmaniac · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 4:16 pm Post subject:

you cannot weld parts of the frame, its not strong and plus unsafe, would definentely not pass any sort of safety inspection. body shops do not replace sections of frame they only bend em out or replace the whole thing. best bet would be a whole new frame. looks like you need new bed sides too. best bet would be to part it out. or find a new frame and bed from a donor truck.

-mike
_________________
Real Americans Drive American.

is there life after death?
mess with my truck and find out

Academy Ford Service Technician
Laurel, MD
www.academyfordsales.com

tai626 · Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 10:06 pm Post subject: thank you, Mike.

now I can let it go. I tried.

thefordmaniac · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 3:56 pm Post subject:

id save parts of the truck as a remebrance. sorry for the loss.

-mike
_________________
Real Americans Drive American.

is there life after death?
mess with my truck and find out

Academy Ford Service Technician
Laurel, MD
www.academyfordsales.com