OK so a little rain, some bald tires a parked F350 and NO licence got me a hurtin situation, insurance wont cover due to no licence, so no need for the truck to be back on the road anytime soon so i figure im ganna do what i can myself, heres the pics to start off....

1 shot of front

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shot of the big bar, not sure what its called
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other side, as you can see the drivers fender is undamaged, i think anyways

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rad pushed right into the fan, fan blades a little warped i tried to start it to move it off the road wich didnt work
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and a quick before shot haha
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so anyways, my main question is where do i start, besides tearing everything broken off. the front bumper i want to replace with a paint match and fog light holes, or maybe a big custom steal off road bumper to save my *** next time haha and I think i want to replace the hood with one that has the scoop, either the RT or HO version not sure correct me if im wrong... so anyways im ganna keep posting the progress looking for lots of advice along the way. going to be tough as im working a 28 on 14 off sched and night shift to boot, the snow has started to fall.. so any input would be much appreciated.

 

Well, I've been in similar situations where I chose to do the work myself & here's what I'd do:

• I'd look around to see where the local salvage yards were that had 3rd gen Dakotas and then see if they'd let me remove the parts I wanted myself. Here's a link to an an on-line salvage site that might help you find what you're looking for locally.
• I'd also see what they might charge me to buy a whole scrapped vehicle and leave behind what you don't want.
• Although black is a common color, you may be farther ahead just looking for good clean parts instead of waiting for someone to wreak a black Dakota if there aren't any available.
• Next, I'd pull off everything that wasn't easily repairable and make a comprehensive list of what I needed.
• Once all the bent stuff is removed, I'd see how bad the front of the engine is and where it got the worst impact. I would check all the mounts and crawl under to check out the frame and how the engine really sits. If it's been pushed, I'd look for damage farther down the power train line (transmission flange, drive shafts, etc.).
• One of the main things I'd look for on the engine is whether it took a heavy hit to the harmonic balancer (crank pulley).
• If everything looks reasonable, I'd take the rad & fan off and see if the engine would crank & start (don't run it for long with no coolant).
• That would be a good start to the repair, then I'd look to work overtime or get a second job to pay for the parts.
• For the hood, I'd get a standard one unless there happened to be a custom one hanging around for cheap - I could always modify a junkyard hood to look like anything I wanted and then it's only paint to make it all match (I think you'll be looking for a paint job anyway - even with black, I usually see differences with junkyard bolt-ons).
• For the bumper, save your fog light mountings and get a regular front bumper and cut the holes out - there isn't much to cut.

 

I can give you a quick list of what I thinkg will need to be replaced.

Upper Rad Support
Lower Rad Support
Radiator
Clutch Fan Shroud
Clutch Fan
Washer Fluid Reservoir
Hood
Grill
Grill Bracket
Bumper Cover
Bumper Steel Support (Maybe)
Bumper Plastic Support
Passenger Fender
Passenger Inner Fender (Maybe)
Passenger Headlight
Passenger Structural Support (This is Spot Welded onto the Truck)
- Have The Lower Radiator Support Installed when this is removed, Since it slides INTO the Support, I had to have a Custom on made to replace with with removing this, mine would not spread apart enough

Everything except the Passenger Structural Support, You can do yourself. It might be easier to have someone remove the Clutch Fan, I heard they can be a pain to get off.

Do NOT buy a Bumper Cover WITHOUT fogs, if you want to add them. It cost no more to get one WITH the holes, and will looks 100 times better. I have mine cut out.

Get a normal hood, since I think the RT's is a Non-Functional Scoop anyways. Unless you find one cheaper then the normal hood.

I would get BOTH fenders, the hood, and the bumper cover painted. Then the entire front wont have a out of place fender (less noticeable that its been painted)

You Could always do the Bumper cover done in bedliner, and save some money.

then like Alfrons said check out the drive-train and motor for damage, Along with any bends or twists in the Drivers side Fender, and Structure.

 

Did the airbags go off?

 

Ram 1 peice fiberglass front clip. Tube bumper. E fan and misc. Underhood items. Done! Lol

 

Ahh that sucks man, best of luck......I'd start by cleaning that air filter! LOL

 

That truck would probably be totaled with the structural work that needs to be done.

 

darwin wins again.....maybe you shouldn't be driving without a license....let me guess no license from DUI?

 

Structural wise, only looks like the Passenger side, Which other then the spot welds, doesnt look to bad to replace, once he gets the fender, and stuff removed.
Everything that bolts to it is easily removed, the drivers side would be a whole other story haha

I noticed he also lives in BC, If only you were not on the other side of Canada from me, Id help. I got OEM Upper and Lower Rad Supports haha, Both Brand new, Lwr is Painted in Bedliner.

(Pictues of my truck when I undercoated it, when I replaced my Lower Rad Support)

 

If he did submit a claim, I bet the insurance would total it. Parts might not be too bad, but the labor to repair that much damage would run into the thousands real quick. Heck, my little run in with a mailbox cost close to $1300. $200 of that was for parts (mirror, antenna and headlight covers). The rest was labor and paint. Good thing he didn't get arrested for driving without a license.