I just meant the paint is rotting away metal it fine, and well sound like it might be totaled. So a 01 cummins is in my future if so

 

all dakotas have clearcoat issues.

Get an itemized estimate. I can't see that much damage there. It's $500 in junkyard parts ($1500 if you buy re-pro) and a $3500 paintjob that you can have done for $1500. Insurance will total it for a $6,000 repair bill, maybe not for a $2000 bill.

 

remember if close to the value of the vehicle they will total it and most company’s jump on that it saves them money and hassles

They love totaling old autos if it was newer they may fix it

You see how clean my Dak looks it had a small fender bender in 2008 and I mean small and they wanted to total it I talked them out of it

 

There is gonna be more damage done than you think. Mine was 3,800 and it wasnt near as bad as yours looks. They replaced fender,bumper,grille,headlight/fog. Now granted they got a 800.00 bumper and 400.00 fender(oem) A lot more internal damage too. Cracked the overflow tank,battery box/fuse box mounts. Slight frame damage.

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dodgeramguy85

That’s about how bad my accident looked mine was not quite as bad but very close you hit on the battery side you can have more damage on that side.

I’m surprised I didn’t get way more as I got hit from the side by someone jumping out of the left only lane and forced me into a concrete barrier that I went up some and came down when I got out I expected both sides to be mashed up but the barrier just forced me up it some then down and no damage at all on that side.

 

Im starting to get a bad feeling my truck is F***ed, so to soothe my sorrows Ive been prowling used car lots and craigslist for a 98.5-2002 dodge ram 2500 cummins auto 4x4. Might as well use this as the excuse I needed to upgrade to something that can tow the gooseneck. Was gona get a hitch custom made for my dakota for $600. Since the trailer loaded with horses is 6200# and my tow limit is 6500 in the factory guide.

 

Bumper: $75 at JY

Fender: $125 tops at JY

Savings: $1000

The OEM parts don't come painted I assume, so that's cost either way. A junkyard panel is still an OEM panel. I still say get an itemized list, do your research, file private party and go. I'm sure the $250 "look at it" fee and $75/day storage fee isn't helping.

 

When my dad wrecked his truck they wouldn't put oem stuff in his truck and it's been 2 years and it's already starting to rust. Granted junk yard parts are oem but finding them in good condition is another thing. Almost all Dakota fenders a rusted out.

Greg might as well go diesel route. After my tranny went it was a perfect excuse to get a diesel. Plus after you pull with a diesel you won't know how you went so long without it. I pulled 12k a few months ago and it was a dream to pull with!!

 

Honestly would it be bad if I have my parents request the truck to be totaled? like would the insurance seems suspicious because honestly I dont feel safe driving the truck anymore the way it acted that day was so off and uncontrolled, with driving around my girlfriend alot this just isnt something I trust with out lives anymore.

As for storage and look over fee, the shop has none, but the damn towing service charged $1200 for a flatbed and 2 days storage (8pm to 7am).


And I cannot do a self repair no matter how bad I want to, the insurance wont cover it, and the bank wont allow it (not paid off)

 

All you can do is wait for what options they give you

But asking questions cant hurt any get your options sometimes you have more options than you think they just dont want you to know that.

They cant lie but they will keep you uninformed its up to you