pvstoy
Senior Member
*UPDATED on post #12* The story of the Bumper that could...
This is the story of the little bumper that could, and might have saved our lives…
Most of you have read by now that I have bumper problems.
Back on September 25, 2008 driving at dark in Colorado on State Route 24 between Granite and Buena Vista we had a ~500 pound Cow Elk run into the front Renuel bumper. We saw Elk on the right and I was going ~62 mph and was slowing down to about 50 when I saw a Cow Elk head just before impact on the front drivers side bumper. After the impact the Cow Elk was sucked under the truck causing the truck to go airborne three times as it passed the front diff and tire, transfer case support and finally the rear Dana 60 and right tire.
A pickup truck with 4 men had caught up to me and was going to pass and saw the whole event unfold. They pulled over and asked if I needed a cell phone for a tow truck. To their surprise they did not see any damage and praised the Renuel bumper.
After crawling around with lights and not finding damages I decided to drive on and watch things. Seemed to drive fine and could see a slight vibration of the lights mounted on the bumper in the light beam. If we were in the 4-Runner it might have been totaled. We were very lucky it did not come over the hood.
The next day the engine developed a vacuum leak and I found the intake manifold had spit out because the shock made the engine go weird and stall. Returning home the intake manifold gasket was replaced.
We did not take the truck out of the garage for any trips since the return from Colorado. But now it was time to head off to Death Valley Rally. The bumper frame mounts that attach to the box frame was cracked from the impact of the Cow Elk. Further oscillation of the bumper up and down movement was just continuing the cracks further and further. I saw that the bumper was sagging a lot to the left and the tow hook was keeping the right side from completely flopping the whole thing down.
I decided I needed to take action and take the bumper off and put it in the camper. Boy did that take up the floor space. The box frame cross tube still has some meat in the back side and is keeping the leaf springs perches and frame apart.
At the present I will have a representative come look at the truck for the second time. First time was a world wind drive by shooting for pictures. The person did not communicate well to let me know what he really needed. They need to see all the pieces together. Well the bumper was dropped off at my fabricator. So now he will need to meet me at the bumper and I will drive the truck with the camper removed to the shop. First auto Insurance claim I have ever tried and so far not impressed. If they wanted to say no they might tell me this is not the bumper and engine that truck came with and it is an after market item. We will see how this goes.
After the impact the engine started leaking oil from the back of the intake manifold where the head, block and manifold comes together. I thought it was the gasket sealer had blown out some and would be fixed when the intake manifold gaskets were replaced. Well it still has a leak and after looking it over I believe it is the oil pressure port plug that is part way under the number 7 cylinder head end. I have decided to remove the intake manifold and the head to fix the oil leak properly. Would be nice to get rid of that leak! My insurance agent told me that all that is part of the accident and will be covered. Let you know how that goes.
Covered or not all this needs to be addressed and fixed. I don’t like selling anything without making it right. My fabricator has already made a plan and that involves making it better, stronger than when it was new.
I drove up to Renuel in Yuba City March of 1995, 14 years ago, and had this bumper custom made for the truck. It has served me well and looks good too.
The journey continues……………
Pictures of the time line from Death Valley...Took one from Ted's pictures(sitting in chairs) note sag to the right.
This is the story of the little bumper that could, and might have saved our lives…
Most of you have read by now that I have bumper problems.
Back on September 25, 2008 driving at dark in Colorado on State Route 24 between Granite and Buena Vista we had a ~500 pound Cow Elk run into the front Renuel bumper. We saw Elk on the right and I was going ~62 mph and was slowing down to about 50 when I saw a Cow Elk head just before impact on the front drivers side bumper. After the impact the Cow Elk was sucked under the truck causing the truck to go airborne three times as it passed the front diff and tire, transfer case support and finally the rear Dana 60 and right tire.
A pickup truck with 4 men had caught up to me and was going to pass and saw the whole event unfold. They pulled over and asked if I needed a cell phone for a tow truck. To their surprise they did not see any damage and praised the Renuel bumper.
After crawling around with lights and not finding damages I decided to drive on and watch things. Seemed to drive fine and could see a slight vibration of the lights mounted on the bumper in the light beam. If we were in the 4-Runner it might have been totaled. We were very lucky it did not come over the hood.
The next day the engine developed a vacuum leak and I found the intake manifold had spit out because the shock made the engine go weird and stall. Returning home the intake manifold gasket was replaced.
We did not take the truck out of the garage for any trips since the return from Colorado. But now it was time to head off to Death Valley Rally. The bumper frame mounts that attach to the box frame was cracked from the impact of the Cow Elk. Further oscillation of the bumper up and down movement was just continuing the cracks further and further. I saw that the bumper was sagging a lot to the left and the tow hook was keeping the right side from completely flopping the whole thing down.
I decided I needed to take action and take the bumper off and put it in the camper. Boy did that take up the floor space. The box frame cross tube still has some meat in the back side and is keeping the leaf springs perches and frame apart.
At the present I will have a representative come look at the truck for the second time. First time was a world wind drive by shooting for pictures. The person did not communicate well to let me know what he really needed. They need to see all the pieces together. Well the bumper was dropped off at my fabricator. So now he will need to meet me at the bumper and I will drive the truck with the camper removed to the shop. First auto Insurance claim I have ever tried and so far not impressed. If they wanted to say no they might tell me this is not the bumper and engine that truck came with and it is an after market item. We will see how this goes.
After the impact the engine started leaking oil from the back of the intake manifold where the head, block and manifold comes together. I thought it was the gasket sealer had blown out some and would be fixed when the intake manifold gaskets were replaced. Well it still has a leak and after looking it over I believe it is the oil pressure port plug that is part way under the number 7 cylinder head end. I have decided to remove the intake manifold and the head to fix the oil leak properly. Would be nice to get rid of that leak! My insurance agent told me that all that is part of the accident and will be covered. Let you know how that goes.
Covered or not all this needs to be addressed and fixed. I don’t like selling anything without making it right. My fabricator has already made a plan and that involves making it better, stronger than when it was new.
I drove up to Renuel in Yuba City March of 1995, 14 years ago, and had this bumper custom made for the truck. It has served me well and looks good too.
The journey continues……………
Pictures of the time line from Death Valley...Took one from Ted's pictures(sitting in chairs) note sag to the right.
