dunebuggy

Hey all, got into a pretty bad accident and looking at a big job to repair. I trust my auto body guy but as you all know...Jeeps can be pretty sentimental, so wanted to get some advice from the diehard Jeep folk.

Long and short, looking at replacement of front axle and majority of drive shaft and front suspension components. Frame is bent; hydraulics guy checking it out tomorrow to see if he can work with it, so ultimate estimate depends on that, but the shop was throwing out 10-15k as very rough ballpark.

Insurance wants to total it....would give me 25K for the total vs 20K for retain and repair (obviously would be looking at salvage title and re-inspect through the state). Initially signed for about 28K and still owe about 17K on the financing. It's a 2015 with 40,000 on the odometer. Was in excellent condition before all this.

I am leaning toward repair if the frame can be saved. Am I being crazy and clouded by my love of this thing?? Would be helpful to have some objective insight.

Thanks all and be well.

TheDirtman

2015 or older just total it and get a newer one.

jadmt

ditto, unless you have great fab skills and want to make a buggy you are going to be money behind by the fist fulls.

user 729872082

I am not sure of exactly which jeep you have but $25K doesn't seem bad and you can negotiate with the insurance company and probably get more. I would agree with the others and say just get a new one. I don't think you will ever get the value after all this and may have issues coming up all the time from a major wreck. I bet you get another jeep that you will love just as much and feel confident with what you have.

Mark Doiron

If this was my Gladiator, which has 10K miles, I'd probably just opt for the buyout. And that would be difficult because I'd want another Gobi with a manual transmission. If this were my 2007 Wrangler, with 270,000 miles, I'd spend the money for repairs. I have driven it all over North American, literally from the U.S.-Mexican border to the Arctic Ocean. I have a whole lot of sentimental attachment to it ...

doc5339

Get as much money as you can from the insurance company; I would make this my primary focus and priority. You will be just as sentimental with your new Jeep after a few experiences.

Jay2013jk

The offer of 25K is calculated on market value; tell the insurance adjuster find me another JK with similar miles and equipment at this price.. then start negotiations on increasing the offer. You stated you trust your body guy trust his judgement.

OscarMlke

Frame's bent, which is going to be very difficult to repair. Not that it can't be repaired. but it will always have that weak spot. IMO, I'd opt for an older (2014 -2018) JK/JKU

Edit:

Just wanted to add, I believe a reconditioned jk frame cost approx $1,700 so Instead of trying to repair the current frame just replace it.

@Mark Doiron
I like hearing about these kinds on mileages. We've just turn 70K in less than 4 years. This jeep IS going to be our last vehicle. So we're both commented to keeping them running no matter what the cost.

Boat211

In my area here just an hour north of Philly four door frames pop up on Facebook marketplace or Craigslist from time to time for around 1500. I would definitely go that route as it’s not even worth trying to throw the frame on a rack. If it was my jeep that’s the route I would go or talk insurance into closer to thirty thousand. Buy a high mileage jk for around ten, throw in an ls swap and start from there.