So I just joined, name's Brian. Bought my first dodge in Feb. It's a 2010 Extended cab ST. It has the 3.7, had 500 miles on it when I bought it. Now for the horrible part!! http://s1127.photobucket.com/albums/...odge%20dakota/ 3 Weeks after I got it, my wife was driving home from work, stuck in traffic on the interstate, traffic was completely stopped nothing moving. van pulls up behind her, stops, Semi Behind the van didn't. So 30 days later the trucking companies insurance adjuster finally looks at it and sends their report to the main office for approval. So 7 days now still haven't heard anything back yet. So theres my story, glad I found the forum, you all have some really nice trucks and I hope I can get mine just close to looking as good as ya'lls do.

 

Welcome to the forum and good luck on the repairs... i hope they are gonna pay you for loss of value.

 

Welcome aboard!! I'm sorry to hear about your accident. I too have the 3.7 so if you have any questions ask away

 

Sorry to hear about your bad luck, but I'm sure it'll be as good as new soon. Welcome aboard.

 

First, welcome to DF! Its sad to see such a new truck needing body work already.

Start reading reviews to find the best body shop in town. You have a right to take the truck where you want it to go, and they have to pay for it. Dont worry about a low ball offer; if the shop you take it to needs more funds to fix it, they will call the insurance adjuster out to come look again. Im guessing realistically, over $2k in damage if brand new Mopar parts are used (which I would fight for). A new bumper from Mopar was $500 when I got rear ended, and I wouldnt let them put anything other than Mopar on. They wanted to use a remaned one that was redipped and cleaned up on mine when I was rear ended. Here is the one line you have to get used to using: "It had genuine original Mopar parts when it went in to the accident, it will have original Mopar parts when it comes out" and they will normally give in. Talk to shops and find a shop that is willing to fight for genuine and new parts, and that will guarantee their work and not cut corners. When you arent paying for it, find the absolute best shop around. I wish you luck and dont take no for an answer. This accident wasnt your fault and you shouldnt suffer by having a less-than-perfect part. Sorry, rear end collisions frustrate me because its not your fault and normally, they will low ball you and get you to take it so some cheap *** shop, use old parts, and do a crappy job. When I was rear ended, they wanted to use a scrap-yard tail light, a remanned bumper, bondo to fill in the tailgate, and they wanted the side of the bed pulled back and straightened out .... all for $1500. It ended up costing $3700, and I got all my brand new parts including a new bed side and tailgate.

 

Welcome and Ouch. 3.7L guy too. Btw, Wife ok?

 

Welcome to the Dakota club. Hope your repairs turn out ok and your wife is ok, too.

 

Yeah wife's fine, she wasn't hurt just shook up. luckily she had just looked in the rear view and saw the semi and just had a feeling it wasn't gonna stop so she did kinda see it coming. Yeah my dealer gave me a few shops they recommended. I'll get some pics after the works done who knows how long thats gonna be. Cross my fingers not too long.

 

Howdy and welcome! How is the truck repairs goin?

 

Ah repairs, yeah still waitin on money from their Insurance. Hopefully from speaking with their adjuster just a few more days. Something about they were having trouble getting statements from the other people in the van. We will see.