Rear Ended - how bad? totaled?

I am torn, part of me wants to keep it, the other part is all excited to see if I can "scam" a new truck out of this and buy a 2019 Ranger instead. Note I pimped this truck out a bit as well, a 3 section folding torneau cover, new stereo with GPS, new speakers, bedrug, hard plastic diamond rails & tailgate protectors, etc... Also it is all paid off too of course.

freemti said:

It was clear to see that both frame rails are bent/twisted/pinched which ever term or combination of terms is the right description. In addition one of the leaf spring holding brackets was pushed out of place maybe like 1/2" or more. The entire town package assembly was clearly bent and pushed down and in by 30 degrees or more. Other minor issues like damage to the gate and one of the side panels along with damage to the spare.

The adjuster and the body shop people said that "fixing" the frame while possible would not be authorized as a valid repair by Ford and therefore by the insurance company. The only option would be a new frame and a new after market tow package, plus all the other misc. repairs. If all that is estimated to cost more than 80% of some legally defined "cost" of the vehicle - then they consider it totaled and cut me a check for replacement or maybe appraised cost - not sure which,

Note my truck is a 2011 Range XLT 4x4 with super cab (tiny fold down seats) with ~64K miles. Quick google suggested similar trucks are asking ~$10-11K+

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The official term is Actual Cash Value, and if repair estimates are 75-80% of ACV then it will be totaled. If it's totaled, you'll get a check for ACV. Most of the time, the insurance company will use KBB or NADA book values as a big part of ACV. It seems like most of the time people are disappointed when an insurance company offers them a lower than expected ACV. The insurance company obviously doesn't want to pay you any more than they have to. If you're not happy with the ACV, you can dispute it and tell them about the accessories and things that had been added, or show them what similar models sell for.

In your case, I'm guessing they'll calculate an ACV of 8-10k, which would mean if repair estimates are 6000-8000k then it would be totaled. I'm guessing that New frame + Major repair or replacement of the bed and tailgate + paint will easily exceed that, but we'll see...

They came back with an estimate of $5,254 for parts including ~$3K for 'frame assy', I imagine that means the entire frame not just the rear section [updated: my research seems to show that this Ranger model does not have a 2 part frame - but I could be wrong]. Labor was ~$2400 and adding sales tax the total amount is north of $8000 which is $3K over the collision limit for basic insurance the guy who hit me has,

So I'm not so thrilled right now, I guess my best option would be to pick and chose what gets repaired, drop all the "fancy" stuff like the paint work, tailgate etc.. maybe just the rear section of the frame and see it I can get a quote for exactly $5K or a bit over.

Have you filed a claim with your insurance company, or just talking to the other guy's insurance?

I don't think insurance reframes many trucks that old, it has to be nearly new and loaded for them to open that can of worms.

FYI I doubt anybody has a new frame for an '11 Ranger on a shelf somewhere. Either they are straightening yours or they are figuring on a used one.

the itemized repair quote from the adjuster had a frame listed at some $3K+ so I was assuming they found someplace that sells them.

a couple months ago I picked up the rear half from a 2010 for $350 from a salvage yard.
Ford has a couple frames listed, 2 are coil springs and the other is 112" WB. too bad they don't list the rear rails separately.

was it wrote for an LKQ frame? Thats how they word a used frame on estimates.

85_Ranger4x4 said:

I don't think insurance reframes many trucks that old, it has to be nearly new and loaded for them to open that can of worms.

FYI I doubt anybody has a new frame for an '11 Ranger on a shelf somewhere. Either they are straightening yours or they are figuring on a used one.

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You're mostly right, because the repair cost typically totals it.

I've had 2 vehicles totaled within the last 6 months and both times we got WAY more than what we paid for the vehicle. They give you what the vehicle is worth, not what you have in it which can be good or bad. Little things like new speakers and trim won't add much to their estimate. bigger items like factory packages like tow packages are what drive the value up. if it were me, I would want the money. yes you could get all the stuff fixed but it wont be like it did from the factory. They are going to use all the stuff that wasn't damaged in the accident and fit it onto a new frame. Which we all know that when you pull something off the frame, you more than likely need new hardware. You need to make sure they accounted for all that as well.

freemti said:

The adjuster and the body shop people said that "fixing" the frame while possible would not be authorized as a valid repair by Ford and therefore by the insurance company. The only option would be a new frame and a new after market tow package, plus all the other misc. repairs.

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In the not too distant past - say 2012, fixing a rear ended '11 Ranger would have been consider required. So, Ford had a repair guide on how to separate the frame sections and replace just the back 1/2. (I have a copy squirreled away somewhere that I could find the document number if you really want it; all '98+ Rangers have 2 piece frame).

Note: If the front 1/2 of the frame is "tweaked" you are looking at full frame replacement. I'm shocked that body shop could move cab/engine/transmission/axles/etc from one frame to another for $2.5k. (I've done it and know how much work it is.)

What people are asking for similar Rangers is probably about 10-15% more than what they sell for (everyone negotiates). KBB for SC XLT 4wd starts at $8.5k for '11 from what I can see online. Tonneau covers, stereo aren't included in std insurance - which is why I pay extra - I can't walk away from the 331 in my Ranger.

Most body shops quote purchase of all new parts; "finding & fixing" old parts just isn't worth it to them.

If you really like your truck/can't afford a '19; most places give you option to buy back your truck after insurance payout. Then you have repair your truck (either yourself or work with shop), have it inspected that repairs have been completed satisfactorily.* After which you can put your truck back on the road.

Unfortunately, it will be deemed salvage and only considered worth about 1/2 as much.

*Repairs will include making sure tires have adequate tread, brakes minimum depth, all lights work, no check engine, etc. Everything will be inspected as part of a salvage review.

Good luck

don4331 said:

Most body shops quote purchase of all new parts; "finding & fixing" old parts just isn't worth it to them.

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Insurance prefers used parts whenever possible though.

When I hit a deer I got a used bumper, when mom got sideswiped she got used doors.

Their justification is you had used parts and replacing with used parts should be fine.

Honestly, I see about 3 Rangers a day that have their bumper perpendicular to the bed. It seems like a fairly common result of Tallahassee traffic.