The Gladiator got rear-ended

[Greg_L]

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.

That's true, we're all just speculating based off a picture. It's not a competition.

How fast was Mr Silverado going? Did his airbag deploy? Also, how much did Mr Gladiator lunge forward from the impact? That obviously takes energy away from the impact. So it could be that backing into an immovable object is actually worse.

But we don't know. I think we can all agree that it just needs to be looked at by a competent body/frame/alignment shop.

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[Koolcarguy]

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.

Gaps might have been affected but might just your just now noticing it. I used to own a body shop Jeeps are notorious for there frame being diamonded if they take a good hit on one side from front or rear. If it was my Jeep I'd have them do a frame measure to be sure it could possibly be diamonded and need to be pulled back into place

 

[HorsesRear]

I doubt very much that those gaps you are noticing were there before the accident. You would have noticed those for sure.

 

[WILDHOBO]

That's true, we're all just speculating based off a picture. It's not a competition.

How fast was Mr Silverado going? Did his airbag deploy? Also, how much did Mr Gladiator lunge forward from the impact? That obviously takes energy away from the impact. So it could be that backing into an immovable object is actually worse.

But we don't know. I think we can all agree that it just needs to be looked at by a competent body/frame/alignment shop.

Totally agree. Sorry if I got combative. We’re all just trying to help the op. I think we’d all agree that a competent shop that will look closely at things is best for them. All of us hope it’s super minor damage. I’m very worrried I’ll be the next one rear ended. After doing so much work to this thing, it’s a real concern. I could care less if my daily gets hit. It’s just a car. These end up feeling like mechanical pets.

 

[Greg_L]

I could care less if my daily gets hit. It’s just a car. These end up feeling like mechanical pets.

Ha so true!

I was just outside flicking dead bugs off my JT grille while my daily driver is sitting there hasn't even been washed in like 2 years.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Ha so true!

I was just outside flicking dead bugs off my JT grille while my daily driver is sitting there hasn't even been washed in like 2 years.

Exactly.

 

[NY JT]

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 !!

This is Great Advice!!!!!

 

[Zachanadandy]

Totally agree. Sorry if I got combative. We’re all just trying to help the op. I think we’d all agree that a competent shop that will look closely at things is best for them. All of us hope it’s super minor damage. I’m very worrried I’ll be the next one rear ended. After doing so much work to this thing, it’s a real concern. I could care less if my daily gets hit. It’s just a car. These end up feeling like mechanical pets.

I know I come off as confrontational myself, especially in text. Being the pic is at the stop sign and they are still touching, it appears to me the kid thought the OP went as he was looking down at his phone and went to roll up to the stop sign. The sheetmetal bumper on the Silverado is bent but that doesn't take much. Otherwise both trucks look like your typical parking lot fender bender to me. It definitely doesn't appear any real speed was involved which was my point. Obviously get it checked, but I'm betting it's superficial and just needs a bumper.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I know I come off as confrontational myself, especially in text. Being the pic is at the stop sign and they are still touching, it appears to me the kid thought the OP went as he was looking down at his phone and went to roll up to the stop sign. The sheetmetal bumper on the Silverado is bent but that doesn't take much. Otherwise both trucks look like your typical parking lot fender bender to me. It definitely doesn't appear any real speed was involved which was my point. Obviously get it checked, but I'm betting it's superficial and just needs a bumper.

My concern is the freedom panels. Since they’re keyed with pins in holes, they can’t misalign unless they’re no longer in the holes. The amount of jarring and twisting I’ve done off-road has never once moved those. If they’re misaligned and are locked down, that to me indicates a possibility that the pin holes have shifted. I hope that’s not the case, as it would be an indication that other things shifted.

 

[Ty01vette]

I was rear-ended this past Friday when heading out of town for tailgating at the VT football game. I actually had pulled over into a parking lot, unbelted and was getting out when a 2000 Honda CR-V hit me. This guy got out yelling and screaming at me about where I came from. I laughed and stated - hey I was parked and getting out of my truck. My steel bumper took a major hit, but that is all that was damaged. Can't same the same for his CRV. So it looks like I maybe in the market for a new bumper as it seems he may have actually not had insurance. So anyone in VA with a rear steel bumper hit me up.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

You've got damage on the left bumper side, the left side of the hood seems a little high and the left side freedom panel is moved forward. I'm seeing a pattern. I'd take the freedom panel off and then reinstall to see if it's still off. That front pin attaches to the winshield frame. The bed doesnt need to contact the cab to move it. The left frame rail could have shifted with a left sided rear hit.

 

[Sbro2021]

Right after I got my jeep, it was involved in a Chinese finger cuff accident where I was pushed almost 8 feet into the car in front of me. I was STOPPED as was the car in front of me. Destroyed both vehicles with minimal to mine. Had to do both bumpers, tailgate and a ding on the corner off the bed but faired 1000% better than the vehicles on either end. Guy that plowed ( the Chevy) into me ran of course,( drunk and chose leaving the scene of an accident over a DUI) but didn't get far, all of his coolant and tranny oil were on the ground behind my rig... Crazy how the ol' body on frame took it better than could be expected for the damage that my truck caused.

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