Auto body work on the “tub” can it be pulled out.

[C6ZZGT]

3 Body shops declined to give estimates as it was too big a job for their shops (including 2 that are preferred by my insurance) 4th said totaled and walked away not interested. 5th said see you in July for an estimate.

Rear frame section is a $6600 part ..........Currently 7 available from Detroit........

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[chtucker]

Rear frame section is a $6600 part ..........Currently 7 available from Detroit........

Riddle me this- you have to take the whole body off anyways (I am assuming) to replace the rear half… seems like less work to just replace the whole thing rather than welding in a new rear section.

It’s all getting frustrating at this point, 4 shops have declined to even give an estimate because of the frame damage, I don’t have a rear plate anymore as it was lost at the accident scene and I have been driving it around hoping that someone will at least access the damage professionally. I gave up and asked the insurance company to tow it to another one of the preferred shops for an estimate.

@flip said it was 50 hours of labor for a frame replacement. Add that, plus the frame and it’s pushing $15k+ for replacement. Tailgate, bumper, hardware, spare tire carrier, rear cargo area sheet metal and figuring out how much damage the tub took because of the body mount being pulled out and I pray it is a lost cause. I don’t want a vehicle that has had $30-40k of repairs and I don’t want to wait 6 months for it to be fixed.

Other party is under insured of course.

 

[Rick U]

I don't think the frame is aluminum but only a real frame shop can tell you if it can be properly and reasonably repaired. I would start with the insurance estimate and if they don't total it, show it and the vehicle to the qualified frame shop to see what they think. Regular body shops are not going to make money doing estimates that might be totaled. Its a good few hours just to do the estimate.

 

[chtucker]

I don't think the frame is aluminum but only a real frame shop can tell you if it can be properly and reasonably repaired. I would start with the insurance estimate and if they don't total it, show it and the vehicle to the qualified frame shop to see what they think. Regular body shops are not going to make money doing estimates that might be totaled. Its a good few hours just to do the estimate.

Oh I know the frame is steel and I know it needs to be replaced (at least the back half and maybe the front) The body tub is steel, I put a magnet on it. The body mount was almost pulled out of the tub.

Getting an estimate is apparently hard. Tomorrow it goes to a 5th shop, shops 1-4 refused to give an estimate… and yes I asked nicely and wasn’t a jerk. They just didn’t want to commit to such a big repair.

 

[Rick U]

You need a shop that specializes in frame repair. Most body shop’s don’t

 

[chtucker]

You need a shop that specializes in frame repair. Most body shop’s don’t

Apparently those are hard to find these days.

 

[flip]

Riddle me this- you have to take the whole body off anyways (I am assuming) to replace the rear half… seems like less work to just replace the whole thing rather than welding in a new rear section.

It’s all getting frustrating at this point, 4 shops have declined to even give an estimate because of the frame damage, I don’t have a rear plate anymore as it was lost at the accident scene and I have been driving it around hoping that someone will at least access the damage professionally. I gave up and asked the insurance company to tow it to another one of the preferred shops for an estimate.

@flip said it was 50 hours of labor for a frame replacement. Add that, plus the frame and it’s pushing $15k+ for replacement. Tailgate, bumper, hardware, spare tire carrier, rear cargo area sheet metal and figuring out how much damage the tub took because of the body mount being pulled out and I pray it is a lost cause. I don’t want a vehicle that has had $30-40k of repairs and I don’t want to wait 6 months for it to be fixed.

Other party is under insured of course.

If you replace the frame the entire drivetrain, suspension, fuel system, wiring has to be swapped over which would get into a ton of time. Some of the guys on our dealer forum have been pulling bodies to do engines like we do on trucks to save backs and allow easier access. Can't remember what they said time wise but we can have a super duty cab off in under 2 hours.

If they pull the cab to do a rear section, assuming they already shot the frame and doesn't have twist or diagonal forward (highly likely it will), taking the body off to do the rear section would be preferable. It could also be problematic because they might use body mount locations for setup and fitting which in this case would not be possible.

The frame itself is cheap considering labor to replace the rear section the deal killer is all the labor to swap everything over THEN you still have to figure out if the body is salvageable. Based on what I see from the pics is probably not, cost wise, if they follow OE procedures.

 

[chtucker]

Would you accept these terms?

Crash Champions
16. The repair shop provides a lifetime warranty on repairs performed. This warranty is valid for as long as the customer owns the vehicle and is non-transferable. The following are excluded from this warranty: defects resulting from misuse, negligence, lack of proper maintenance, prior unrelated and unrepaired damage. subsequent damage, modifications, accident, fire, or other casualties; normal wear and element exposure: rust or rust repairs, defects, damage, or deterioration caused by extreme environmental conditions: repair and/or replacement of tires, batteries, mechanical parts, electrical parts, wiper blades, oils, lubricants, and air conditioning recharge, although some of the above may have a warranty from the specific manufacturer; stone chips in paint, recalls, squeaks. Rattles, and other noise vibrations. THE REPAIR SHOP DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

Crash Masters also has this:
5. I acknowledge that some portions of the repairs may be provided by one or more subcontractors hired by the repair shop, and I hereby authorize all sublet repairs that the repair shop, in its sole discretion, may deem necessary.
6. I authorize the repair shop, at its expense, to transfer my vehicle to another of its locations if doing so will expedite the repair process. My vehicle will be returned to the originating location for delivery unless I agree to an alternate pickup location.

 

[chtucker]

And the first estimate without any disassembly is $28,000

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