Amccutc21 Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 The other day (after only owning my comanche for a couple months), I was rear ended by an SUV going roughly 45 MPH while I was at a dead stop. I searched for this truck a long time to find a NC, Rust-Free, 4.0, SWB, 4x4 and now this happens. Anyways, the impact pushed my hitch and bumper downwards. The face bar assembly brackets, which i believe connect the bumper to the frame, are bent downwards which I believe is causing the bumper and hitch to sit the way they are. The hitch sheared a bolt on one side, and is pushed against where the leaf spring mounts. Are these parts still purchasable? They've estimated the costs for repair to be $1,090.00 but I can't help but think that's low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Your hitch saved you. Fight with the insurance company. Hitch can be replaced, see vendor forum here. Bumper brackets can be found, here or at a PnP. 45mph is a pretty good hit, demand it be put on a frame machine and be measured. Tell them it's an antique and you want it fixed right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Let me reinforce what I just said. You are the poster child for a receiver hitch. You may know that Chrysler issued receivers as a patch for the vulnerable fuel tanks on the Liberty. If you really got whacked at 45mph, without the receiver, that bumper would have folded and dropped, the offending vehicle would have made contact with your tailgate, tail lights, and crinkled your bed. Finding a replacement rust free bed may take months and travel or shipping. Tail lights, if found at all, could run you as much as $400. With body work and paint.......you would have been well into the $4000 range. I don't know the laws in WV, here in TN, if the damage exceeds a % of value, the insurance company has the right to total the truck, in this state you are then issued a salvage title. Be careful and study up in WV law before you settle with the insurance company. If your bumper is damaged, Faye still makes a replacement, if that is acceptable to you. I'm wondering where/how the body shop sourced parts???? Or is the insurance company issuing a check based on THEIR estimate and sending you on your way?? I had some discussion with others here regarding design of a receiver hitch........... I built mine as a hitch/bumper combination, all 3/8 plate, reinforced. You have the right to accept and do whatever you want with it, build your own, go after market, seek stock parts...........whatever you want, just make sure they make you whole before you accept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amccutc21 Posted December 5, 2017 Author Share Posted December 5, 2017 Thanks for the reply and insight. The insurance company (progressive) did an estimate on my vehicle THROUGH PICTURES They did not source parts, which is why I am concerned with the number that was given to me. I have been on the phone with them this morning, and have arranged an adjuster to come look at the truck. Everyone I have talked to from progessive has made the comment "I've never seen a jeep comanche", which makes me worry about the price they put on parts and when it comes down to it, what they value my truck at. I know the estimator said yesterday that the $1,090 was close to making the vehicle salvageable, which makes me question what kind of market value they would put on the truck. I believe i will play the "antique vehicle" and demand that it is fixed correctly, and hope they don't declare it a total loss. BTW, I like the bumper you fabbed up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 I suggest you get an estimate of your own from a reputable shop. If the only damage is the bumper/brackets/hitch............that can all be replaced for less than the estimate. If you only get that and you are willing to do the work yourself, you might be able to pay yourself $200 for a day's work. All is not lost is my point. But a hassle for sure. I'd get a shop to look at it ASAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Agree with the above. Get an estimate yourself and fight the price. Get that frame checked for sure. If the frame is straight and the only damage truly is the bumper and hitch, the $1000 would be enough. But if the frame is tweaked, you'll need more to pay for that and it will probably have to have a salvage title. Either way I'd recommend getting as much as you possibly can without having it retitled as salvage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 First thing I would do is take the truck to a couple of body shops and have each one do a written estimate to repair - including checking the frame. Then you have real numbers and several different sets of eyes looking at the repair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amccutc21 Posted December 8, 2017 Author Share Posted December 8, 2017 Progressive ended up treating me fairly and raised the estimate to 1,400. Trying to source parts is proving to be a little difficult. I am currently looking for rear bumper brackets and rear bumper. Also, can anyone direct me to the vendor that sells hitches? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 did the frame get checked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 I have a set of original brackets. I kept them when I switched to a Fey bumper. Krustyballer sells near-factory hitches. Check the for sale sections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 specifically in the vendors section: https://comancheclub.com/forums/forum/37-vendors/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 Krusty should be will be able to fix you up with a new bumper, new trailer hitch and new mounting brackets. All built stronger than stock. I have one of his "near stock" replacement bumpers to go on the 86 diesel Comanche when it gets back to California. His work is excellent! and his price is reasonable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 On 12/5/2017 at 9:35 AM, Amccutc21 said: Thanks for the reply and insight. The insurance company (progressive) did an estimate on my vehicle THROUGH PICTURES They did not source parts, which is why I am concerned with the number that was given to me. I have been on the phone with them this morning, and have arranged an adjuster to come look at the truck. Everyone I have talked to from progessive has made the comment "I've never seen a jeep comanche", which makes me worry about the price they put on parts and when it comes down to it, what they value my truck at. I know the estimator said yesterday that the $1,090 was close to making the vehicle salvageable, which makes me question what kind of market value they would put on the truck. I believe i will play the "antique vehicle" and demand that it is fixed correctly, and hope they don't declare it a total loss. BTW, I like the bumper you fabbed up! The factory bumper and brackets have not been available for several years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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