2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Deer 1-Ram 0

[Rattler]

This is what happens when you hit a deer running 60... dropped the truck off at the body shop on Friday. . hope it won't be down long. took out the fan and everything forward.

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[MFalkinham]

Ouch! That's not good.

I hit one earlier this month, but it only took out my passenger side headlamp assembly. Got that fixed for cheap, and am back on the road. If I had hit it half-a-second sooner it would have gone into the grille like yours.

Hopefully yours will get fixed good as new.

 

[Rattler]

This deer was in the air when i hit him. I hit him, knocked him out in front of the truck, hit him again, and then i ran over him to make d*** sure he was dead. :-laf:-laf. I am not sure what got the fan, it was bent ,but no marks on the rad. I had to go back up the road and pick up my grill and bumper cover. Hope to get it back before i need 4-wheel drive. Randy

 

[Alphacowboy]

Randy, you going with a stock bumper this time or going with a plate bumper so the next one you smack is nothing but mush, and the truck walks away with not a scratch?

 

[rjrkihap]

Hey Rattler,



Boy can I relate. I grew up in Wyoming and to date have hit 4 deer. Destroyed a Volkswagon, smashed up a Chevy Truck and two with the Ram. I have a big Warn winch and brush / grill guard on the Ram which saved me both times. There is nothing in this world more infuriating than the sound natures most asinine creature smashing into the front of your pride and joy. I am convinced these depressed creatures are hellbent to commit suicide. They stand on the roadside waiting for my vehicle to approach and then and only then do the dive in front of me. Any sane creature would wait the mere second until I have passed by to attempt to cross the road. Boy do I love deer. #@$%!



The good news is that this will fall under your comp insurance coverage (as even insurance companies recognize the deers stupidity) and should not effect your rates. Hey, the body shop will probably even wash your truck for you.



Ron

 

[DodgeWarlock]

Ouch!! Know how you feel. Wife has hit three this year on the way to work. Our cheezy grille guard stopped the first one, but the second time she hit two at once and the bumper and guard just folded up. If you are thinking of armoring up then check these out...



ALI ARC INDUSTRIES - TRUCK BARS - PROTECTION UP FRONT



I used to see these a good bit in Wy on the hot shots. My Father-in-law worked for a company that ran them and said they hold up really well. They're aluminum, so no rust and their light(only like 80 lbs. ). Planning on one myself at tax time because they quoted me within $100 of a heavy Ranchhand even with shipping to Al.

 

[CSchmidt]

Check these out... it takes much more than a deer to hurt these!

 

[rjrkihap]

If it were up to me, I'd install an old school train cattle guard. I however, don't think the mighty DMV would allow this.

Ron

 

[DodgeWarlock]

Yeah, it would be effective, but the approach angle sucks:-laf:-laf:-laf.



Hey Rattler how bout the first gen in the driveway in your lead shot? It looks like a Cummins.

 

[DWeiler]

Or one of these,this is the reason i did mine,. My uncle hit one with his d-max last year ---9000. 00+bill. Some other member called it the Hannibal Lector look or hockey mask/goalie look. Some like,some don't but i do,i bought the the rear one as well(i like it the best of the two). I sure do get a lot of rubberneckers when driving by me. :-laf:-laf:-laf.

 

[Rattler]

I am going back with an aftermarket bumper, but it will be no stronger than stock. I have been thinking of some kind of grill guard though. Randy

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Check this out as well www.xp3-hornet.com. They make a semi rated deer whistle at 140+ dB. Deer don't run with their hooves in their ears!!

 

[DieselDoghouse]

its the model V-135 interstate. Has a range of 1000ft. I run a pair of the $69. 00 units and have had good luck—but poor huntin!:-laf

 

[WrenchRat]

Rattler, thanks for posting those pics. I am now motivated to find a plate bumper.

Hey, CSchmidt, who made the nice blue plate bumper in the first pic?

I'm had been pondering doing this as I just got my wife's car back after a $3600+ deer hit (second time in two years). :{ Yes, deer are pitifully stupid. D@&% thing actually hit the right front, went up the hood, smashed the windshield, went on over the top and off the left rear quarter panel, leaving hoof prints along the way. #@$%! At least this last hit on her car resulted in the doe being real DEAD. Oo. Small consolation, but I'll take it.

The bumpers may be salty but are a lot less expensive than the bodywork and inconvenience. And after seeing Rattler's 99, it's obvious my 99 won't do any better, even with my el cheapo brush guard. Time to get on the stick.

 

[johncameron]

Sorry to see, I've hit 4 and 1 hit me in the rear!! One of mine looked kinda like your truck, it was just under 4K in repairs and there was NO PAINT!! Rad-intercooler-AC condenser were the most expensive parts... ... .

JC

 

[DonTX]

I doubt my flimsy bull bumper would do much protecting, but I was actually impressed with how LITTLE damage was done, I would have imagined more.

 

[MFalkinham]

I am going back with an aftermarket bumper, but it will be no stronger than stock. I have been thinking of some kind of grill guard though. Randy

I had the same thoughts, and bought a used brushguard for $150 as temporary protection. It's actually pretty sturdy, but if I hit another one I'm sure it will destroy the brushguard and front bumper. However, if it saves the myriad of cooling devices up front (intercooler, radiator, transmission cooler, etc) then it will be worth it.

I'm going to save up my pennies for an Ali Arc or Herd aluminum bumper with buckstop. I even sent an email to Herd asking for a price, but never got a reply. I guess they don't want to sell me one?

 

[Rattler]

We have been very lucky in that we have lived in the county for almost 23 years and this is the first real damage we have suffered from deer. They are pretty thick out our way, but we have always been able to avoid them until now. Randy

 

[DieselDoghouse]

JohnCameron: Glad to hear of someone else run down by a deer. I thought it was my cologne (or lack thereof) Can tell you a Datsun B210 accelerates 1/2 as fast as a young buck angered by just the right aftermarket horn!! (Yep— he hornd her pretty good!!). :-laf

 

[CSchmidt]

I make them... it's my side business that I started last year. I'm still working on getting all of my jigs made, but if you're interested let me know. Send me a personal message.