Automotive Forums

I have a 2003 Dodge 1500 Ram Van that was in a roll over accident. It's still drivable as it is. The van only has 47,000 miles on it. Nothing mechanical was damaged in the accident.

The insurance company wants to total the van out, but I'm not in a financial position to buy a new (or even used) car to replace the van (I lost my job 7 months ago and am just now going back to work next week...thank you, Motor City). I was wondering if there's anyone here that can make some suggestions on how the van's body can be repaired (for example, do the panels bolt on or are they welded?).

The front left fender is damaged, as is the roof in the front left corner and the rear left corner. The rear left panel is damaged, along with the back left door. The right side looks pretty much untouched except for the running board (it was torn off). I can provide pictures upon request.

Thanks.  

I don't have any experience with body repair so the best thing to do is to get a free estimate of the damage. You can get most of your questions answered during your estimate...

Good Luck!  

I agree it CAN be fixed but its hard to do unless you do it yourself or have a friend who's a body man do it since the body shops make their money on insurance payouts not on fixing cars really.

After a long time I finally got this guy to do my car since he can do custom work:

mastermatchauto.com auto body repair, long beach, body work, paint, california, mobile auto body auto body repair, long beach, body work, paint, california, mobile auto body

The rest said "man that's going to cost more than your car is worth" or "sure I can just slap some bondo on there..." or "its not worth it..." - they didnt understand that I just wanted the dents fixed for an honest price. And half of them didnt even know wtf they were doing saying that they had this "special tool" that would do it and they werent making much sense explaining how the magic tool would work (it was pretty funny and obvious they were making it up as the went.)

but like the guys said, just NEVER take the insurance companies first offer, find the 10 highest priced 944 turbos in your area or on ebay (like the $20k ones) and show the insurance those prices, they have to come close to them (I think its the law).