Crunched/Bent Frame - Advice

[JennyJoannSuebeeMcNash]

Since you are already outside the legal realm with your clean title all the comments about insurance this and safety that are irrelevant.

To do this the proper redneck way, you need a big tree, several straps and either a truck with a big winch or a big truck or tractor. You could try using the vehicle own force but I don't know if it's mass is sufficient. Basically you need to pick your angles right and attach straps to a tree then gently and and possibly not so gently yank against the tree. To pull the metal back straight ish. You can also heat up the a metal with a torch but that that or may not be too risky, your fire safety is your responsibility. You can also hammer on it while in tension with he pulling vehicle. It takes lots of work. Many small pulls is better than a couple huge ones.

After you have it lined up better and things are starting to square up. I would reinforce it, either with welding or bolting through a couple pieces of thick but not more that 3 times the thickness of the metal that was crunched. That way it's still at a similar strength to its original design and it won't run something else the next time it gets hit. Some trucks are just magnets like that.

Paint and many dried layers of it are your friend aswell.

I suppose if you are big money you can go to a frame shop that is willing to do it for cash and not be on their books for legal reasons. They have a big "tree" type machine that can door the work in basically the same way. Lots of small strong pulls at the right angles to get it straight, then maybe a bit of patch and a lot of paint.

"To do this the proper redneck way" made me laugh my ass off. Are you sure you're living in Hawaii rather than NC? We had all manner of ways of "fix it by fixin' it!" Say what you want about rednecks, but them good ol' redneck boys will help you out in a pinch. They live for shit like that.

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[colinl]

SO YOU BOUGHT IT LIKE THIS ( sorry, trying to sound sarcastic).

the OP stated he bought it from CoPart and implied it was discounted enough to be worth it, but he didn't say what he paid.

in my opinion, it's kind of weird for CoPart to have it yet the vehicle wasn't totaled. I honestly don't know how that happens, but perhaps the car was a theft recovery or repossession.

 

[1929]

the OP stated he bought it from CoPart and implied it was discounted enough to be worth it, but he didn't say what he paid.

in my opinion, it's kind of weird for CoPart to have it yet the vehicle wasn't totaled. I honestly don't know how that happens, but perhaps the car was a theft recovery or repossession.

What is the result if you run the VIN thru NICB? NICB VIN Check

 

[Fcnrwy]

I have fixed a few of my relations' cars. The redneck-way... NOT USING TREES THOUGH.. But, this is some 30+ years ago..

I dont know about the state giving a title or insurance giving a policy..
Body-wise, i have seen it done. The metal will never be 100% correct and some reenforcement, i would think would need to be added..
But. The truck would be usable...

Jerry

 

[FabMav]

For those interested, it looks like this Lariat Hybrid Maverick was bought with 8,000 miles for $24,800 plus auction fees and shipping:
https://en.bidfax.info/ford/maveric...t-2024-white-25l-4-vin-3fttw8m34rra06816.html
(You can find almost anything on the internet with a little digging).
FYI, most insurance companies will still insure drivable flood, salvage, and former lemon law titled cars (just not junk titled ones). They just won’t pay out much for any future accidents.

 

[Exranger]

Get a thrust wheel alignment at a frame shop so your tires wear right. It barely shows damage on the outside.

Spray those frame dents on the outside with rustoleum self etching primer. Then spray cavity wax inside the frame tubes.

How much $$ did it run from copart?

 

[1929]

For those interested, it looks like this Lariat Hybrid Maverick was bought with 8,000 miles for $24,800 plus auction fees and shipping:
https://en.bidfax.info/ford/maveric...t-2024-white-25l-4-vin-3fttw8m34rra06816.html
(You can find almost anything on the internet with a little digging).
FYI, most insurance companies will still insure drivable flood, salvage, and former lemon law titled cars (just not junk titled ones). They just won’t pay out much for any future accidents.

The above Maverick is listed as Total Loss Salvage.

VINCheck® Total Loss Record
VIN: 3FTTW8M34RRA06816 has been identified as a vehicle listed in the VINCheck® Salvage Records.

Date of loss2024-05-30Cause of lossCollision
You are advised to consult with a certified automotive technician before further considering this vehicle, to include verifying the airbag remains intact.

VINCheck® is updated regularly as additional information is reported.

 

[Aherpa]

I would be highly suspicious that the high voltage battery may have been damaged. The shock waves involved here are not good for battery cell integrity.
I'd part this one out (but not the high voltage battery).

 

[colinl]

huh. if that's it, in my state it would have to be inspected and approved for a rebuilt title to be registered and then insured. I have not ever had a vehicle inspected for a rebuilt title so I can't say as to how thorough that inspection would be or what they would do if they noted the bent crumple zone on the frame.

insurance companies typically won't offer full coverage on a rebuilt title, which then of course becomes problematic if you have a loan.

if it's somehow not showing as salvage/rebuilt title in the OP's state of residence, AND it's this truck or another that was in fact a total loss / salvage, then that's a loophole or administrative error. in my opinion it would be noticed at some point such as when/if the vehicle is in another collision claim or it's resold- especially if it's then titled in another state.

 

[Skott]

Get a thrust wheel alignment at a frame shop so your tires wear right. It barely shows damage on the outside.

Spray those frame dents on the outside with rustoleum self etching primer. Then spray cavity wax inside the frame tubes.

How much $$ did it run from copart?

Thanks. This sounds like a plan I could follow.

I appreciate the advice.

 

[Hoagus]

Hit it with sone Rustoleum and call it good.

Glad I could help.

 

[Skott]

huh. if that's it, in my state it would have to be inspected and approved for a rebuilt title to be registered and then insured. I have not ever had a vehicle inspected for a rebuilt title so I can't say as to how thorough that inspection would be or what they would do if they noted the bent crumple zone on the frame.

insurance companies typically won't offer full coverage on a rebuilt title, which then of course becomes problematic if you have a loan.

if it's somehow not showing as salvage/rebuilt title in the OP's state of residence, AND it's this truck or another that was in fact a total loss / salvage, then that's a loophole or administrative error. in my opinion it would be noticed at some point such as when/if the vehicle is in another collision claim or it's resold- especially if it's then titled in another state.

Currently waiting for the title to be sent from seller's state, to me. Once I have the title, I will attempt to title in my state. As far as I know, total loss =/= salvaged. A lot of times a total loss is salvaged/branded, but not 100% of the time. This vehicle seems to have been a total loss by the original owner's insurance.

If for any reason while titling in my state, the title gets branded as salvaged, etc. I would probably end up giving it back to Copart and let them auction it off to a new owner, and I take the hit financially. I've so far seen the original title which has been signed over to me via Copart/power of attorney, and it has no brands listed.

 

[Maverickman74]

"To do this the proper redneck way" made me laugh my ass off. Are you sure you're living in Hawaii rather than NC? We had all manner of ways of "fix it by fixin' it!" Say what you want about rednecks, but them good ol' redneck boys will help you out in a pinch. They live for shit like that.

I'm from Ohio actually, but in all reality in rural Hawaii it's pretty redneck out here.
I did the same job about a year ago only with a bigger crunch and bend but it was on a trailer. My tools was 2 straps, a truck with low range, a big hammer, and a stump! My mother in-law had a parking brake release on her and it jackknifed the trailer on a decent enough hill to bend it up. The trailer is in good shape now. Tracks straight and is still strong enough for my loads.

 

[cyberdog]

Most of the carriers here in NJ will refuse to add a salvage titled vehicle to your policy, until the Salvage status is removed via state inspection. - There's process once repaired to have the vehicle inspected for a fee to ensure road worthiness.

Even then, some carriers will refuse to allow physical damage on the vehicle, only allowing liability coverage. One of the CSRs has a customer going through this process now, as they're not allowing comp or collision coverages, even though the vehicle was repaired.

 

[colinl]

Most of the carriers here in NJ will refuse to add a salvage titled vehicle to your policy, until the Salvage status is removed via state inspection. - There's process once repaired to have the vehicle inspected for a fee to ensure road worthiness.

same process in Kansas. it's $25 for a salvage inspection to move to rebuilt.

insurance carriers then may or may not offer collision coverage on a rebuilt title. some of them will for a declared value or % of KBB value, and others will only offer liability coverage.

If for any reason while titling in my state, the title gets branded as salvaged, etc. I would probably end up giving it back to Copart and let them auction it off to a new owner, and I take the hit financially. I've so far seen the original title which has been signed over to me via Copart/power of attorney, and it has no brands listed.

you didn't really confirm or deny whether the VIN linked above is your truck. (BTW, VIN isn't secret, it's public. It's required to be externally visible on/near the driver's side windshield area. so, no reason not to say yes that's my truck.)

if it is your truck, I would say with 99% confidence that it will get a salvage title. the report linked above says so. total loss does equal salvage. that and more info here: https://www.progressive.com/answers/insurance-salvage-title-car/

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