Accident with the Jeep: now time to upgrade

Rommel · 04-02-2005, 10:51 AM

So last night some guy decides that he can make a left turn at the light that I'm about to go through and I end up t-boning his sedan into scrap metal. I mean, the manifold of the engine fell out of the bottom when they were pulling it up the wrecker. Not very significant looking damage to my TJ but of course just because it doesn't look bad doesn't mean it isn't bad.

From what I can tell, I will need a new bumper, hood, and both front quarter-panels. I may need a new grill as well. So I'm looking to take the insurance check and upgrade some of these parts. I'm definately interested in the AEV hood and a new heavier duty bumper and maybe a grill guard.

Does anyone know what the difference in cost is between the stock hood and the AEV hood? And what kind of bumpers would you guys recommend? I'm looking for something stylish and with built in two hooks or rings, but I also really like the fact that the stock bumper has the two rubbber extensions in the front; they come handy parking in the city when idiots back into the bumper. I have two pairs of auxillary lights...the stock fogs and PIAA 80 Racing lamps that I would need to have on the bumper as well.

Just looking for suggestions at this point. Thanks.

-Romm

TXST8tj · 04-02-2005, 11:03 AM

the AEV hood is about 3 times what a replacement hood will cost. i was looking to upgrade to one after my accident in january. get a jeeperman front bumper. it will have integrated welded through d ring shackle things and a built in winch mount. trust me, with that you wouldn't have to worry about other people backing into you. they will be hurting if they do.

hoosier724 · 04-02-2005, 11:17 AM

just thought you might want to know that there is a good possibility that the check will be made out to you and the body shop. This way the insurance co is assured that you will fix the damage...good luck

jeepom · 04-02-2005, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoosier724

just thought you might want to know that there is a good possibility that the check will be made out to you and the body shop. This way the insurance co is assured that you will fix the damage...good luck

Yep, that's the common practice these days...

**ChristopherJ** · 04-02-2005, 11:36 AM

I upgraded to the AEV hood after my accident. I just had the body shop order it through a vendor online. I do not remember the price difference though. Sorry.

opiv · 04-02-2005, 11:48 AM

You are better off getting a stock hood and adding a couple of junkyard hood vents. It accomplishes the same thing and is very cheap.

1BadTJ · 04-02-2005, 11:52 AM

if you really wnat the hood then go for it, but i think the money would be better served omn the aftermarket bumper. i agree w/ the Jeeperman or BulletProof MFG.

Rommel · 04-02-2005, 02:14 PM

Thanks for the responses and advice, I didn't realize the AEV cost that much more.

Definatly looking into the Bulletproof bumpers...I checked them out a while ago but forgot about them. I like the FF7 and some of the others, though I don't think I'll be getting a winch anytime soon.

Been looking at the Jeep all day; the damage appears so minimal but it's pretty bad. I'm hoping that the frame isn't bent. Somehow my PIAA's survived with nary a scratch even though the front quarter panels and fenders got busted up pretty bad.

I'll have some pictures for anyone interested tomorrow, though I wish I had pictures of the other guys car. The cops actually congratulated me on so thoroughly destroying it. Thankfully no one was injured.

Now I just have to find a shop that will do the install of the after market parts.

-Romm

Rommel · 04-06-2005, 03:17 PM

Ok, so now I'm trying to decide between two alternatives. The Warn RockCrawler or the Bulletproof FF7. I know that several of you guys recommended the Bulletproof, but it would be far easier for me to get the Warn, and all told the price for the Warn would be less.

Does anyone have experience with this Warn bumper or the FF7 and have any input into which one I should get?

-Romm

**wherndon** · 04-06-2005, 03:31 PM

I have the Warn on mine and I like it just fine.
Click on the link in sig to see a pic, if you like.
Regards,
Bil

**kaketj** · 04-06-2005, 03:41 PM

get the warn,save some money,save for a bigger winch!

**Windsor** · 04-06-2005, 04:23 PM

My opinion was that while the Bulletproof ones are indeed built incredibly, but you could buy two WARN bumpers for the price of one Bulletproof. Also take into consideration the weight of the Bulletproof bumpers. They may lower the Jeep a little bit.

04-06-2005, 03:31 PM	#10
wherndon What the hell? Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: at the bottom of Big Cotton Indian Creek, GA Posts: 1,435 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I have the Warn on mine and I like it just fine. Click on the link in sig to see a pic, if you like. Regards, Bil __________________ . www.wHerndon.com ________________________________ '05 Rubi, Patriot Blue, RE SF, Antirock, Warn, Fabtech, Tomken _________________________________ 2000 Grand Cherokee Laredo V8, Patriot Blue Stock ________________________________ '93 YJ Sport, Canyon Blue 4.0, auto, air, limited slip, HT. 2.5" Rancho suspension, Ramsey 8000 _________________________________ Previous Jeeps... '91 XJ Laredo, white '87 YJ Sport, white

04-06-2005, 03:41 PM	#11
kaketj beef jerky and grease.... Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: washington(vancouver) Posts: 532 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	get the warn,save some money,save for a bigger winch! __________________ "shoot first,we have shovels" 2004 X w/ RESF 4.5- super 44/44 w/arb 35x12.50R15mt/r- all armored up! Warn 9.5 ti(front) 9.5xp(rear) (SOLD) 1999 Cherokee sport (build in progress) New toy. ZO6

04-06-2005, 04:23 PM	#12
Windsor Mobil 1, not Mobile 1 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 631 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	My opinion was that while the Bulletproof ones are indeed built incredibly, but you could buy two WARN bumpers for the price of one Bulletproof. Also take into consideration the weight of the Bulletproof bumpers. They may lower the Jeep a little bit. __________________ 2004 Wrangler Rocky Mountain Edition BF Goodrich 31x10.50 Mud Terrain KM2 Rusty's 3" front springs and Skyjacker 2" rear spacers Skyjacker Hydro 7000 shocks and steering stabilizer JKS Quicker Disconnects Tuffy glove box, full console WARN D30 skid & Nth Degree Mobility oil pan skid WARN front and rear Rock Crawler bumpers, winch plate and grill guard WARN 9.5ti winch w/ Optima Blue Top D34M - X-Line rope & fairlead KC Daylighter Slimlights on windshield IPF H4 w/ FatBoy bulbs

04-02-2005, 11:36 AM	#5
ChristopherJ =============== Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,313 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I upgraded to the AEV hood after my accident. I just had the body shop order it through a vendor online. I do not remember the price difference though. Sorry.