How to fix this?

[nissanh]

The truck was parked when this happened. A SOB hit and ran and from the look of it, a car, minivan or an suv with a plastic bumper hit the grill guard from the passenger side causing the grill guard to push towards the driver side.
The loop on the passenger side then hit the side marker light breaking both tabs it got to attach to the headlamp assembly.

Should I pull the grill guard with one of those cable pullers to get it back to normal?

 

[Twisted Sid]

Probably wont take much to bend it back and using a come along attached to something big and heavy. The other option would be to undo the bolts holding it on and either scrap it or sell it and buy a good steel aftermarket bumper or leave it alone with the clean stock look.

 

[Hepar]

Also think that it wouldn't take much to pull it back to at least close to where it was originally. Good example of why people often refer to those as damage multipliers. Because they don't really offer any protection and many times end up doing more damage to the vehicle than what would have happened without them.

 

[Scramble]

I also vote to get rid of it. Sorry this happened.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I'm sure you have reasons to have it, they don't call it a brush guard for nothing. Good for people who really live out in the sticks.

If you try and bend it back, just know the metal is very weak and another hit on that side will bend it even worse the second time.

 

[nissanh]

Thanks for the replies guys. Unfortunately there are no cameras in the parking lot. My insurance said I can file a claim but looking at the damage, it is not a lot, at least visible to the truck except the grill guard. I had it to prevent any damages to the radiator area in case if I run into a deer directly head on. When I lived in central Louisiana a dead deer is a common sight at least once a week.

Scramble: I know you have an ARB. After adding the ARB, did you notice a drop in MPG? and or any additional drag? What model is it?

For any insurance experts: How much do you think the insurance will pay for the repair? And as a result, approximately how much will I pay extra for the insurance on next premium?

 

[muellernautique]

how bad is the damage? your bumper looks to be fine for the most part. i'd try to avoid claiming it on insurance unless you really want to. headlights aren't terribly expensive if the broken clips are your only problem.

on to the grill guard - if you're deadset on having one, I took mine off my truck recently and it is for sale. looks totally identical to yours. doubt you intend to make a trip down to houston anytime soon though.

also, off-topic but where'd you get that fender mirror? reminds of a Hilux Surf, and i'd love to have one.

 

[tanth1500]

tie it to a tree

tie it to a tree, throw it in reverse, use discernment on speed/power/aggressiveness. use a nylon tow strap. my buddy did this with a bumper bar on a 240sx. if that isn't how you wanna do it, put your leg on the solid part of the guard and pull.

 

[ltsr]

Also think that it wouldn't take much to pull it back to at least close to where it was originally. Good example of why people often refer to those as damage multipliers. Because they don't really offer any protection and many times end up doing more damage to the vehicle than what would have happened without them.

The damage to the OP's bumper/brush guard looks similar to what happened with my 4runner. It came with a grill guard when I bought it and had the same amount of damage shown. When I finally inspected it underneath, the mount for the guard and bumper were trashed because of the hit. It is a damage multiplier with such a small hit. I opted to go replace it all with an ARB front bumper.

 

[Hepar]

Thanks for the replies guys. Unfortunately there are no cameras in the parking lot. My insurance said I can file a claim but looking at the damage, it is not a lot, at least visible to the truck except the grill guard. I had it to prevent any damages to the radiator area in case if I run into a deer directly head on. When I lived in central Louisiana a dead deer is a common sight at least once a week.

Scramble: I know you have an ARB. After adding the ARB, did you notice a drop in MPG? and or any additional drag? What model is it?

For any insurance experts: How much do you think the insurance will pay for the repair? And as a result, approximately how much will I pay extra for the insurance on next premium?

A direct deer shot is most likely going to push that into your radiator anyways.

Do you have an insurance agent? If so, call them and just go over everything. They will let you know exactly what would happen if you file a claim without actually filing one.

 

[Ifirefight]

Porta-Power will get that back in shape no problem... you will have more control with that than a Come-a-long.. as far as insurance goes, usually they will not cover after market parts/anything that wasn’t bolted on from the factory. At least that’s my experience in Florida, unless you have a separate rider/policy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Scramble]

Thanks for the replies guys. Unfortunately there are no cameras in the parking lot. My insurance said I can file a claim but looking at the damage, it is not a lot, at least visible to the truck except the grill guard. I had it to prevent any damages to the radiator area in case if I run into a deer directly head on. When I lived in central Louisiana a dead deer is a common sight at least once a week.

Scramble: I know you have an ARB. After adding the ARB, did you notice a drop in MPG? and or any additional drag? What model is it?

For any insurance experts: How much do you think the insurance will pay for the repair? And as a result, approximately how much will I pay extra for the insurance on next premium?

If you hit a deer with a brush guard it will cause more damage to your front end than not having one.

I have a Shrockworks, they're pricey but they're not as bulky & old fashion looking as the ARB. I added the bumper about 2 months after adding my lift & 33" M/T tires. MPG's obviously went down but that wasn't because of the bumper or a concern with this build because it's not my DD.

If your keeping your front suspension stock I think the Addicted Offroad plate bumper is the lightest one out there. Maybe [MENTION=116387]Unner[/MENTION] can chime in on his AOR bumper.

Tube bumpers are the lightest but most people dont find them attractive & are usually strictly on offroad rigs.

 

[Unner]

I like my addicted bumper. It is one of the lightest ones. For most bumpers you'll have to cut the end of the frame. I think the only bolt on one is CBI, if cutting the frame is not something you want to partake in.

You will probably drop a little MPG due to lesser aerodynamics more than anything. It won't be a massive drop, bigger tires have larger effect.

 

[Nate_GB]

Thanks for the replies guys. Unfortunately there are no cameras in the parking lot. My insurance said I can file a claim but looking at the damage, it is not a lot, at least visible to the truck except the grill guard. I had it to prevent any damages to the radiator area in case if I run into a deer directly head on. When I lived in central Louisiana a dead deer is a common sight at least once a week.

Scramble: I know you have an ARB. After adding the ARB, did you notice a drop in MPG? and or any additional drag? What model is it?

For any insurance experts: How much do you think the insurance will pay for the repair? And as a result, approximately how much will I pay extra for the insurance on next premium?

In California, if you're not responsible for the accident (i.e. Hit and run) your rates will not be effected by the claim. Not sure on the laws where you live so you'd have to check on that. Insurance will likely pay to replace the brush guard (every insurance is different but most decent companies will cover aftermarket components up to a certain dollar amount even if you don't expressly have the component added to your policy). They will also pay to replace the light and repair any other damage. Too hard to tell exactly what the damages are from your pics but it's likely that there is damage to the fender that would require body and paint work.

Keep in mind that whatever the repair cost is, the insurance company will issue that amount minus your deductible. So if the repairs are $1100 and your deductible is $500, they'll pay $600 to you for your claim. Your best bet is to get a quote from a reputable body shop for the repair to see if it's worth your while to file a claim.

 

[fblainen11]

Thanks for the replies guys. Unfortunately there are no cameras in the parking lot. My insurance said I can file a claim but looking at the damage, it is not a lot, at least visible to the truck except the grill guard. I had it to prevent any damages to the radiator area in case if I run into a deer directly head on. When I lived in central Louisiana a dead deer is a common sight at least once a week.

Scramble: I know you have an ARB. After adding the ARB, did you notice a drop in MPG? and or any additional drag? What model is it?

For any insurance experts: How much do you think the insurance will pay for the repair? And as a result, approximately how much will I pay extra for the insurance on next premium?

Insurance expert here. It would be subject to your collision deductible most likely. Be aware, even though it isn't an at fualt accident, some companies will still surcharge you for filing a collision claim.


I'm not sure if they'd pay to repair it or replace it. My best educated guess would be replace....but then again, that grill guard is about $300-400 brand new. So probably not even over your deductible.

 

[fblainen11]

A direct deer shot is most likely going to push that into your radiator anyways.

Do you have an insurance agent? If so, call them and just go over everything. They will let you know exactly what would happen if you file a claim without actually filing one.

Be aware!!!!!! You need to ask a hypothetical question. Some companies will file a claim with just an inquiry. The one I work for doesn't, but I see it happen all the time.

 

[Hepar]

Be aware!!!!!! You need to ask a hypothetical question. Some companies will file a claim with just an inquiry. The one I work for doesn't, but I see it happen all the time.

Good advice. I’ve known my agent for quite a while. May be a reason I can run things by them with no reprisals.

 

[fblainen11]

Good advice. I’ve known my agent for quite a while. May be a reason I can run things by them with no reprisals.

The difference is some companies do not have "agents" to call and talk about this. So a lot of your 1-800 companies just say press 2 to file a claim and boom, you're on the phone with a monkey that opens a new claim on your policy just to have the conversation with you, even if you don't end up actually going through with a claim.

One company, with hands, is particularly bad about it. Before you know it your Lexis Nexis report is full of $0 claims.

 

[FinSport]

My hints...

1 - I always call another office of my insurance company to ask the hypothetical (but don't call State Farm from the phone they have on file, it is linked thru the computer).

2 - Someone just did a hit and run on my wife's car. It was a $300 deductible.

 

[nissanh]

Done!

Well... I didn't file a claim. My agent first asked me to check with a local body shop and inform the price to fix it and then they will inform me whether it is worth to file a claim or not.

I am a person who loves to do things with my hand because I know I get it right.... so yes.. I was doing the followings on a dead tree (again, which I took down a little at a time with the help of my wife). It was s success. There is a slight twist on the vertical part of the grill guard but overall I am satisfied. Also, fabricated the broken tabs on the side marker light.

Had the truck in 4Lo during this operation.

My neighbor asked me whether I am trying to remove the tree stump!

Thank you all for your ideas and suggestions.

PS: Any ideas on how to remove the tree stump? :hatsoff: