The Gladiator got rear-ended

[u-joint]

After almost 4 years of worry-free ownership, my Gladiator got rear-ended.

Some 16-year-old kid, too busy on his cell phone, decided that stopping wasn't for him, and his Silverado just plowed into the back of the Gladiator.

The kid admitted liability, and I'm working through his insurance to assess paths forward here, but the more I look at her, the more concern I get over possible frame damage, just based on how things don't line up, even on the front. It's like the whole driver's side got pushed forward. You can even see it in the alignment of the freedom panels - the driver's side panel has a larger gap than the passenger side.

I'm posting this all here. Curious you all's thoughts. The first shop shrugged, and just quoted replace the rear bumper and sensors. I have an appointment with a reputable shop associated with a Jeep dealership in the area tomorrow for a second opinion.

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[Zachanadandy]

The damage looks minimal. There's no chance that a minor rear ending changed the hood gap unless the bed is shoved significantly into the cab. I'm guessing rear bumper and maybe hitch but I'm willing to bet your body gaps are unchanged from before the accident.

 

[u-joint]

The damage looks minimal. There's no chance that a minor rear ending changed the hood gap unless the bed is shoved significantly into the cab. I'm guessing rear bumper and maybe hitch but I'm willing to bet your body gaps are unchanged from before the accident.

Oh, man... that's the type of reassurance I wanted to hear. The more I look, the more I get worried.

Hopefully you're right, and that it's nothing major.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Oh, man... that's the type of reassurance I wanted to hear. The more I look, the more I get worried.

Hopefully you're right, and that it's nothing major.

That's the problem trying to go over the whole truck with a fine tooth comb. If you hadn't done so like days before the accident you are likely finding normal build/use issues that are unrelated.

 

[Scott L]

Yeah it’s probably just minor bumper and brackets ETC. That’s what insurance is for though so take it to a good body shop and let them go over it just to completely dissipate your fears. Then either fix it yourself and install an aftermarket bumper if that’s what you want or have them do it.

 

[JW Jeep]

Doesn’t look too bad. You could ask to have frame digitally measured if it bothers you that much ? Long as your box and cab clearance are sitting right and fender to door gaps ? It looks like a pretty much center hit and not much on towing receiver. The bumper on these are pretty light and will give first. These full frames are pretty tuff but can diamond or raise or lower with a rear end hit. I’ve been in heavy collision for over 30 years and repaired many frames . You’re probably alright but hard to tell in these pics ? Wishing you the best !!

 

[Greg_L]

You're assuming these things are built perfectly gapped and square to begin with.

I really doubt that.

But still get it checked. An easy preliminary check is just to just have the alignment looked at. A frame problem will definitely show up with wonky alignment readings. With your kind of contact I'd look for the thrust angle being jacked if there's damage. If the alignment comes out good, or at least close to good, you're probably okay as far as the frame is concerned.

 

[WILDHOBO]

After almost 4 years of worry-free ownership, my Gladiator got rear-ended.

Some 16-year-old kid, too busy on his cell phone, decided that stopping wasn't for him, and his Silverado just plowed into the back of the Gladiator.

The kid admitted liability, and I'm working through his insurance to assess paths forward here, but the more I look at her, the more concern I get over possible frame damage, just based on how things don't line up, even on the front. It's like the whole driver's side got pushed forward. You can even see it in the alignment of the freedom panels - the driver's side panel has a larger gap than the passenger side.

I'm posting this all here. Curious you all's thoughts. The first shop shrugged, and just quoted replace the rear bumper and sensors. I have an appointment with a reputable shop associated with a Jeep dealership in the area tomorrow for a second opinion.

That sucks. I’m worried you’re right that a bunch of things shoved. The freedom panels don’t look right at all. I’d be taking it somewhere that can measure the frame dimensions. How hard was the hit?

 

[WILDHOBO]

That's the problem trying to go over the whole truck with a fine tooth comb. If you hadn't done so like days before the accident you are likely finding normal build/use issues that are unrelated.

I don’t know. I’m guessing he’s noticing things that weren’t that way before the hit. I’d be able to tell things were different without question. I’ve had mine since July of 21. I know it quite well. If reveals and gaps change, I’d see it. I’m guessing @u-joint will too.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I don’t know. I’m guessing he’s noticing things that weren’t that way before the hit. I’d be able to tell things were different without question. I’ve had mine since July of 21. I know it quite well. If reveals and gaps change, I’d see it. I’m guessing @u-joint will too.

The bumpers barely bent. He didn't hit anything from the front. There's 0 chance that the front portion of the frame bent because that's not how physics works. Not every fender bender totals the vehicle or even bends the frame. Yes a hard enough hit from the rear could damage the cab and frame but you'd be talking major forces and speed involved. It's just not a thing. If the freedom panels aren't sitting right it's not because anything bent, they just need recentered by popping them off and putting them back on. I've hit the rear bumper harder wheeling and caused more damage to it. No frame damage, no imaginary front end damage.

 

[WILDHOBO]

The bumpers barely bent. He didn't hit anything from the front. There's 0 chance that the front portion of the frame bent because that's not how physics works. Not every fender bender totals the vehicle or even bends the frame. Yes a hard enough hit from the rear could damage the cab and frame but you'd be talking major forces and speed involved. It's just not a thing. If the freedom panels aren't sitting right it's not because anything bent, they just need recentered by popping them off and putting them back on.

I’m more worried it shoved body components. Not that the front of the frame is bent. I take it you’re an engineer? I just love lectures from people. A hit from behind can absolutely bend a frame. And can absolutely move things. Hit the number and tailgate, and they need to go somewhere. Maybe you’d like a lesson on how physics work?

 

[Vtur]

To make you feels better, mine came from the factory with the hood gaps just like your.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I’m more worried it shoved body components. Not that the front of the frame is bent. I take it you’re an engineer? I just love lectures from people. A hit from behind can absolutely bend a frame. And can absolutely move things. Hit the number and tailgate, and they need to go somewhere. Maybe you’d like a lesson on how physics work?

It can bend the rear of a frame in a medium impact sure, it didn't bend the frame in front from a minor rear end collision. You can see the bed isn't pushed into the cab so physics says the air didn't move the cab. You can see the tailgate wasn't even touched. It was bumper vs bumper and most of the damage is at the bottom edge of that on the Jeep.

 

[Greg_L]

IMO that bumper damage is approximately similar to backing into something. Backing into an immovable object like a bollard or building is not gonna tweak the frame unless you drive backwards like a lunatic.

 

[WILDHOBO]

If it’s a steel bumper, they take a beating. That doesn’t mean things they’re attached to don’t move. Getting hit by a quad cab Silverado is different than backing into a stationary object.

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