Days always suck when they start like this

Vidar

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
Feb 26, 2020
Messages
238
Location
Pennsylvania
So this happened just before I got to work this morning. Looked to the left and recognized someone, and by the time I looked back ahead of me traffic was stopped for someone turning left. Was only doing about 35-38 when I locked up the breaks, so impact was probably around 20-25.
Unfortunately for me, the ram 2500 bumper was just a little higher than my front bumper, so the full impact was absorbed by the grill and fenders.
Hoping there isn’t any engine damage, and there doesn’t appear to be any frame damage, so it should all be fixable.
Already reached out to a guy I’ve previously bought parts from, and he should be able to help me out with all the body parts. As for the rad, looks like I’m SOL on a mopar. The Jeep is a 97 I6 manual, and I installed a mopar 55037652AA in 2020. Can anyone confirm that 55037653AC will fit, or recommend another Mopar rad that I can still get?
Also, looks like the mopar water pump is also gone now. Any recommendations there?

IMG_4195.webp


IMG_4196.webp


IMG_4197.webp


IMG_4194.webp
 
Sorry man :( Maybe this ends up being cheaper than had u bent your frame.

Oh yeah. Frame damage and insurance totals it for sure. I’m thinking because it was completely restored in 2020 with a rebuilt engine that they will pay for the repairs.
 
Oh yeah. Frame damage and insurance totals it for sure. I’m thinking because it was completely restored in 2020 with a rebuilt engine that they will pay for the repairs.

If they try to total it, ask them how much they will give you without totaling it. I did that with a car that wasn’t worth much on the market even though it had been restored…was able to fix it right up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueC
So this happened just before I got to work this morning. Looked to the left and recognized someone, and by the time I looked back ahead of me traffic was stopped for someone turning left. Was only doing about 35-38 when I locked up the breaks, so impact was probably around 20-25.
Unfortunately for me, the ram 2500 bumper was just a little higher than my front bumper, so the full impact was absorbed by the grill and fenders.
Hoping there isn’t any engine damage, and there doesn’t appear to be any frame damage, so it should all be fixable.
Already reached out to a guy I’ve previously bought parts from, and he should be able to help me out with all the body parts. As for the rad, looks like I’m SOL on a mopar. The Jeep is a 97 I6 manual, and I installed a mopar 55037652AA in 2020. Can anyone confirm that 55037653AC will fit, or recommend another Mopar rad that I can still get?
Also, looks like the mopar water pump is also gone now. Any recommendations there?

View attachment 490527

View attachment 490528

View attachment 490529

View attachment 490530

the 7653AC radiator will work just fine. It's intended for an auto so it has the transmission cooler built in but you don't have to use them and the rest of the radiator is identical.
 
Oh yeah. Frame damage and insurance totals it for sure. I’m thinking because it was completely restored in 2020 with a rebuilt engine that they will pay for the repairs.

My guess is insurance will total it, so get ready to argue with them. They will generally start with the bluebook value, and balance the repairs against that. It will be on you to argue your view of the value based on the restoration. As Mike said, a buy back may be your best approach.

Be sure to let us know how it goes. Several here have
been through this and can offer good advice.
 
the 7653AC radiator will work just fine. It's intended for an auto so it has the transmission cooler built in but you don't have to use them and the rest of the radiator is identical.

Thanks. I’ll order one of those as soon as I talk to the adjuster. Hopefully tomorrow or Monday.
 
Thanks for all the responses so far. I will keep everyone updated. I got a ton of great info here when I was doing the rebuild, which is why I posted the accident here knowing this would be the best place for my questions.
Have to tow the jeep back to my house and schedule to have the adjuster come out and look at it.
 
Oh yeah. Frame damage and insurance totals it for sure. I’m thinking because it was completely restored in 2020 with a rebuilt engine that they will pay for the repairs.

Just to expand on this, it comes down to the ratio of how much the projected costs to repair are vs the market value. Be prepared to push back (in a reasonable manner) if they try to total it.

Maybe they will account for some of the past restore in the equation if you give them that info…that didn’t matter to my adjuster.

After the adjuster determined the costs were high enough to total it, I asked the adjuster how much he could give me before totaling it out. He was pretty open and understandable when I asked and gave me the number (based on a threshold % that I can’t remember). I took the money to fix it up and kept the clean title status.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bbaldwin237
My current 2006 had less damage than that, but in exactly the same spot, with 87,000 miles on it and the insurance company totaled it.
That’s why I still have it today with a rebuilt title.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Weasellee
All BS aside, I just went through this with my Harley after a hit & run last June.
They would have totaled it and paid me a really fair price, and I would have been riding again as soon as I healed up, but instead…
I took the $$ and rebuilt the bike over the next 180 days.

Looking back, I should have just taken the $$ and run.

Don’t let your attachment to the Jeep separate you from your senses.

The market is flooded with comparable Jeeps, and just like my Harley, your vehicle probably has a decent payout option to just move on.
 
All BS aside, I just went through this with my Harley after a hit & run last June.
They would have totaled it and paid me a really fair price, and I would have been riding again as soon as I healed up, but instead…
I took the $$ and rebuilt the bike over the next 180 days.

Looking back, I should have just taken the $$ and run.

Don’t let your attachment to the Jeep separate you from your senses.

The market is flooded with comparable Jeeps, and just like my Harley, your vehicle probably has a decent payout option to just move on.

This. A salvage title is hard to sell if you ever decide to in the future. Just get a "new used" Jeep.
 
Oh man, makes me sick to my stomach to see that. I just went through that with my other car (cough cough prius cough). They actually gave me $2000 more than I paid for it. That was a take the money and run situation. I have a hard time thinking about that happening to my Jeep with all the work I have into it which is not even close to a full rebuild like yours. Condolences brother.