I just want to say it's super cool of you guys to hang in here with me and for everything you have shared. Really appreciate it, you could have just passed this thread by and you took the time to post and help. Even if I'm not successful I have already learned a lot more about this truck under the hood than I have since owning it which is a shame. I just never felt compelled to want to work under the hood or under the car before, only inside or in the doors for some reason.

My ultimate goal is really to get it safely into the garage but it is to very sharp 90 degree turns off my public street (residential anyway) and then a sharp 90 degree right turn into my garage so steering manual is going to be really tough. I'll try it if you think that's not going to hurt anything though.

As for the transmission cooler line, I will take a look at where that runs, from a quick search on where it is I'd be surprised, but if there are more photos I can take to help you guys help me, I will do that. Unfortunately out of town tomorrow all day but Sunday is totally free and when I am hoping to get something done here. I need to see where the transmission cooler line runs and fluid is to determine if it's okay. From point of impact I was able to drive the car off the off ramp and safely into a parking lot which took a minute, though by the end of said minute there was white steam rising from the hood (no coolant I assume) and the steering was about gone.

As for the radiator to help cool down the engine for the 1-2 minute ride, water is no problem of course, to dump in, but I have a feeling it will leak right out -- When you say splice upper and lower I assume you mean that plastic pipe that came apart with the spring inside of it in the photos? I guess that just cant be pushed back together huh.

Biggest concern I guess is any extra damage I might do to components and how tough it will be to steer it and if something's going to blow up or start on fire. But I did pull the airbag fuses unless I trigger something by accident there. Still a little spooked they didn't go off but perhaps since the vehicle didn't lose much speed running the deer over they felt they didn't need to fire!

Ultimate goal is two 90 degree turns into the garage without making it any worse.

 

Good job on getting it open. Here is what I would do. Forget power steering for a minute, as you won't have any. It will be tough to turn the wheel, but once it starts moving, it will be possible. That "main pipeline" is your filler neck assembly. The plastic T is broken off and you won't be able to get them back together. They sell the assembly at part stores. They come cheap or a bit more expensive for the Mopar part. Down the line, when put in new coolant, buy the concentrate and mix 50/50 with distilled water... the rusty spring in the radiator neck tells me you might have had tap water in it.

Anyway, you won't have coolant circulating or power steering fluid until you fix the radiator neck and replace the radiator. It's also not good to keep the PS pump trying to pump without fluid. If I were you I would remove the serpentine belt that turns everything and drive it into the garage on battery power. With things as scruched up as you have them, you'll need to remove the shroud to get to the belt tensioner. The shroud is just two 10mm bolts, one on on either side (maybe four in all), if memory serves me correctly. You'll have to disconnect washer lines and the coolant hose to get it out. It will be obvious as you start to remove it. Once combo shroud is out, there is a tensioner which releases the belt. I believe it loosens clockwise. A breaker bar is easiest but you can do it with a ratchet or wrench and pipe. Once you get the belt off, start it, turn it around quick and back in. You'll have to muscle everything and you won't have much time before the heat builds.

I'd find a u-pull-it to keep out of pockets costs down. Aside from the obvious (bumper, grill, etc) I'd go for cross member/rad support if yours is bent. You might even be able to find a radiator and AC condenser, although I'd probably go new on the rad. All depends on what you can find. You are more than welcome to the headlight and fog light if needed. I might even have a new radiator neck around here somewhere. PM your address so I can figure out shipping.

 

Lol, just happen to have that hose/cap assembly along with a thermostat and housing that never made it on my Durango, New Mopar if you're interested.

 

You guys are great. I'll send some PMs. It seems like this is a sign that my Durango wants to be fixed.

Couple guys are going to try and help me neutral push it into the garage tomorrow. Since I can't start it, and the options to either replace the radiator or remove the timing belt are a little too advanced for my novice self to do out in the middle of the road, figure let's try and use old fashioned muscle power and just push it in neutral while I muscle the wheel for the turns.

 

Alright, may as well keep this thread going as a record or diary of sorts. So we got it pushed into the garage today no problem. I have an open bay so it can sit there without having to worry though it does make parking tight. Needs a little extra space due to the crushed bumper.

So now that I have a better look, I don't know if I'm so worried about the work or cost to repair the radiator and AC, but rather the cost of obtaining parts like the actual bumper, impact bar, whatever that top bar is with the hood latch that also looks slightly bent...these parts are going to add up on their own to the point I may just end up putting more out of pocket in than I want to put in to fix a 193,000 mile Durango valued by insurance at $2100. I do like the challenge of trying to fix it and get it running again, but if I'm not going to put the money into finding all these bumper and front frame components...is it worth it vs. just parting it out and then letting salvage come and have the bones when I am done getting some stuff out of it for myself (assume I'd need to leave the wheels on).

Speaking of which - My insurance company says I need to get a salvage title and show it to them before they will pay out the claim to me (less the $250 I will lose in keeping the car which I could easily make up in salvage, assuming it doesn't cost me to have someone eventually come and take it away when I am done selling components like all the interior modules etc if I went that route instead). I found a form to fill out for salvage titling in Pennsylvania but I can't see where to take it, the DMV apparently only serves drivers licenses...I can take it to an auto titling bureau but will they charge me to do this transfer from owner title to salvage title?

Certainly learning a bunch here. Decisions decisions. I just want to make sure I am all-in before I have anyone send parts.

 

All my experience with dealing with titles in PA is that you can just go to any notary with the penndot certification for stuff like that, just bring a checkbook. If you're a AAA member their branch offices can do it too.

Look on car-part.com, good way to search junkyards.

 

Right on, thanks. According to the guides, there is no charge for converting to a salvage title as the owner holding the title, however I guess that more means no charge by the state, but the titling location will have some sort of fee? Just a couple bucks I assume? Seems silly, like I should be able to go to any Penndot facility and just get it done in and out. Should have known better. PA!

 

Trust me, the way it is in PA is way nicer. There you can go to the local notary and be in and out in a couple minutes. Other states you have to spend hours in the DMV just to get them to sign and print a piece of paper.

 

Good deal. I'll give it a go and then at least the car is mine and the claim is closed and the car is off my insurance.

Good tip on the part search site, very useful to locate parts. I found a 2001 with a silver grille instead of a black grille that I assume still would fit. I assume these guys may negotiate if you want a few pieces too. Would be nice to grab all I needed body-wise off one car, aside from the mechanical parts (radiator, hoses, etc).

 

Pulling it yourself will be the cheapest route. Harry's has three locations in PA. http://www.wegotused.com/
Check the inventory and jump on the ones with the latest yard date. Bumpers and grilles are hot items.