Re: Dakota in snow - need repairs!!!

From: Ken Allgood (kenallgood@cox.net)
Date: Fri Jan 17 2003 - 16:45:24 EST


> Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 12:05:51 -0500
> From: "Ken Allgood" <kenallgood@cox.net>
> Subject: DML: Dakota in snow - need repairs!!!
>
> Ok, so driving to work today on some new snow, spun the Dakota out and put
> her into a ditch :(
>
> Damage wasn't extensive, couldn't tell if there was body damage, so I got
it
> towed back at the house, waiting for the snow to melt off before I dig
into
> it... but here's what I know has to be replaced.
>
> Valiance for front bumper - Bumper looks in good condition, but dirty
at
> the moment. Cannot tell if it's bent or not
> Radiator - Got pushed back a little bit, which I think this is part of the
> problem of the fan
>
> Anything I need to be looking at for what the radiator may have pushed
into?
> I saw that the lower part of the fan shroud was torn away (about a 10"
piece
> I think, very bottom section).. I have not been able to locate what is
> cause the fan not to turn though. The belts are turning fine, but I do
get
> a bit of squeak or rattle, not sure what from yet. Might be a good time
to
> get an electric fan.. I know there's been some disagreements on which
are
> good and which aren't, but I want some more info here :-) Also wondering
> if some mounts got bent or anything like that. I did run the truck to
> drive it off the hwy after getting it towed out, and except for the
squeak,
> it ran fine. Radiator or a line is leaking, get that checked out later..
>
> Also: Good place to get radiator? Junkyard probably won't have this late
> of a Dodge Dakota, so time to go aftermarket I guess..]
>
> Oh yeah, I'm fine too.... I was probably doing about 10-15mph when I hit
> the ditch.. It was sitting in the ditch kindof in the air.. with 1 of
the
> front wheels holding it up, and resting on the rear bumper....
>
> Ken Allgood
> 97 CC SLT 5.2L
>

Ok, update here. Got the front bumper off. The A/C Condensor is toast, but
not leaking. The housing for it is also broken and pulled away from the
frame... in fact, only thing holding it in right now is a hose. Radiator
has a small leak I believe and is bent (leaks a tiny bit when engine is
running, minimal amount). So, what I need to know is this: Where would be
a good place to get a condensor and the mounting hard-plastic for it, or
should I just let the A/C shop handle all of that once I get the rest fixed
(but not sure how well I can mount it once I get the rest fixed). If I pick
up a condensor, I won't put it in, just have it for the A/C shop so they can
take care of it.

My deductable on my insurance is $500.. Figure bumper is going to run me
$150-$200, not sure for the radiator and Condensor, and I think that's all
I'm going to be in for. Everything else looks good. The Fan shroud will
need to be replaced as well because it's cracked and pushing into the Crank
Pulley a little bit (that was my squeak), and I assume once I get the
radiator and fan pulled forward, the fan will work (crossing-fingers).

Input pllllleassse?? :-)

Ken Allgood



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