Rear cross-member Replacement? (2 Viewers)

[txtortoise]

Got rear-ended and tow hitch crumpled the left box frame at mounting point. Frame shop believes they can pull it out and straighten frame. Cross-member looks really bad. It looks like it is riveted/welded on.

Is this a replaceable component or only via salvage cut-off and rewelding?

 

[ponytl]

sorry to hear... this is on your 2007? I'd be thinking... Insurance co you need to total this because it is now a weakened frame (even with repairs and there is no way to know how it will perform/protect in the event this happens again...) purely a safety issue that NO ONE will want to sign off on... then I would buy it back from the insurance co and have it repaired... it might now have a salvage /rebuilt title but it's already devalued as a repaired frame damage truck... i'm thinking your fixed/repaired value has decreased by at least 40-50% and that is what you should pocket...
btw insurance companies... know this and deal with it everyday

 

[txtortoise]

Yup, spent all week sorting out the insurance side. Kept car and good chunk of money. I've had it since 60K and just baselined at 123K with some final warranty work, so didn't want to give up the known aspects. Functionally not an issue, once I replace rear panhard rod that spare tire bent, and with the frame crease behind the rear wheel and frame shop saying it can be repaired/strengthened moving forward on that before spending other money.

Which comes back to original question....

 

[benc]

Or just replace with a 4x4labs rear bumper, the bumper takes the place of the rear crossmember so it would just need to be removed. That is a route a lot of guys go after being in an accident. Something to look into unless you want to keep the LC stock.

 

[txtortoise]

Thanks, I believe Slee and BiOR use the cross member. I did find a part number for it, so I guess it's replaceable.

 

[benc]

Yes they do, but the 4x4labs takes the place of the crossmember.

 

[ponytl]

Glad to hear you came out on the good end of a bad deal... Some people just don't know what to ask/tell the insurance guy... while I have had good luck dealing with good insurance companies in the past... I know it isn't always so...

p

 

[txtortoise]

Thanks, if anyone gets in similar situation, just ping me for the gory details. The edge I had was the car was drivable and it wasn't being held hostage by body shop, and once I knew it was close to total I learned a bit from the Total Loss Unit handling the claim. Total Loss vs savage buyback are also influenced by your state. 90% of the time you should take the money and run.

 

[Get outside]

My $0.02 , if the frame is bent/twisted get that repaired then install a steel bumper and don't bother with the rear crossmember!
Some bumpers would require its removal anyways and even if you put one that doesn't, the crossmember would be kind of useless anyways! Just more weight back there!
Also you don't have to put a swing if you don't want to, just the bumper.

 

[jgray]

I have the BumpItOffroad rear high clearance bumper and had to remove the rear cross member to mount it. I've had it for years and towed all kinds of stuff with it. No regrets cutting it out and still love the bumper...

 

[txtortoise]

Thanks. Going to replace the cross member, mostly due to timing issues with frame shop and my ambivalence of hanging more weight on truck, given my usage...and desire to see everything fully functional before dropping more money in sheet metal or mods. I also got a somewhat decent price for cross-member, as may do salvage bumper for now.

Appreciate all the help in this thread, PMs and other LX470 rear bumper/AHC threads.