2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission I got RAMMED

[SMolteberg]

Last saturday I took my new (to me) 2001. 5 Ram for a spin in the evening. I got it streetlegal here in Norway only eight days earlier, and had spent most of that week giving it a good detailing. In a intersection where I was waiting for oncomminng traffic to pass I was rear-ended by a Nissan truck :-(



I saw it coming in the mirror and hit the throttle, but too late. It must have been doing at least 40-45 MPH when it hit me, because my truck took off faster than it was designed for. I smashed out the rear window with my head, and at first it looked that only the rear bumber and tailgate where bent. But after I got back from the hospital (I'm fine now, only a small cut in the forehead, but are afraid of possible whiplash) I looked more closely, everything from the front bumper and back is either bent or shifted!



A short list from what I can see; hood pushed back 1/4", doors doesn't fit the openings properly, bent steeringwheel, shiftindicator in the dash doesn't line up (when in D it indicates in the middle of N and D). smashed rear window, back wall of the cab pushed forward, the bed are sitting almost in the cab and front wall pushed back. Rear bumper, hitch and tailgate are pretty bent, but only the glass on the left turn signal are broken.



The Nissan weighted a good 5000 punds and where towing a big boat-trailer. To me it looks like it hit me square in the bumper and the hitch took most of the hit. What I'm afraid of if my frame is bent since the lines on the cab and bed doesn't quit match and dooropenings looks strange. I have been under the truck, but can't spot a obviouse damage like cracked paint. But I had it undercoated only hours before this happend so it can hide the damage.



Is there anybody out there in TDR land that have had similar experience and could tell me where the weak spots in the frame is? Could the Cummins been moved also? I had full throttle when the Nissan hit me and it reved up either from being lifted up in the air in the back from the impact or transmission being shifted to Neutral. That big lump of cast iron that where already pushing the engine-mounts from being full throttl'd could maybe bend something?



Thanks for letting me vent!

-stig

 

[DHayden]

Sorry to hear about your accident but I'm glad your alright. Sorry I can't offer you any advice on the truck except take it to a shop and let them do a good look over before you do any insurance settlements.

 

[Bob Wagner]

sorry to hear of your problem Stig , that truck was in great shape too :{

 

[SMolteberg]

Thanks for the sympathy guys. Yes it was quit nice Bob, I finally got it detailed to a decent level. The next thing was the powermods. Just wanted it to pass inspection first. Like it's now I don't feel like doing yet, so the new Magnaflow will stay in it's box a while longer.



Dropped by a mechanic friend last night and he gave it a quick look-see. He also suspect the frame to be bent, he said it should go in a jig just to make sure all the measurements are correct. Still waiting to hear from the insurance.



Thanks

-stig



PS. I still need a Catcher Bob, just wait and see. The test drive in your truck are still playing games in my head, just what my doctor ordered :-laf