🛠️ What have you done to your F150 Tremor this week?

[JediMcMuffin]

Finally got to put my Starlink Mini mount to use while we were exploring the Moosehead Lake region/Baxter State Park in Maine yesterday. Hadn't used the mini before but both the mount and the mini did great. I had looked at the high speed mount but couldn't justify the price for rare/occasional use. Still need to run the wire so it's hidden but not high on the list.

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which mount? I ended up grabbing one of those peakdo battery packs that clicks into the bottom of mine, but it blocks nearly every mounting solution out there.

 

[CMar]

I went with this one through Etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4450925813/starlink-mini-dashboard-mount-for-2021

 

[TheWaterman]

Well, I thought I was getting my truck back today. I get there and there was a somewhat big issue that wasn't there when I dropped the truck off. The shop manager was incredibly embarrassed, shocked, and said they would fix it.

What I can say from all this: Do NOT get hit in your Ford F150. Take it from me. We're coming up a month since the incident and no truck.

 

[Quake jockey]

Well, I thought I was getting my truck back today. I get there and there was a somewhat big issue that wasn't there when I dropped the truck off. The shop manager was incredible embarrassed, shocked, and said they would fix it.

What I can say from all this: Do NOT get hit in your Ford F150. Take it from me. We're coming up a month since the incident and no truck.

Don’t keep us in suspense…. What was the issue?

🛘

 

[BRosenhan]

So what did i do to my Tremor today? I installed the CBlightingdesign.com upfitter wire harness. If you are looking for a solid built way to access your upfitter switches, this is the way to go. Install was easy and straight forward. the labelling on the harness made it simple to match up. Instructions were simple to understand. This is beyond a 5 star kit. Worth every penny!!!

 

[TheWaterman]

Don’t keep us in suspense…. What was the issue?

🛘

The right rear quarter had to be replaced, which I knew. In the process, they managed to bend/crease and crack the paint where the right rear quarter meets the front bulkhead of the bed. I didn't take any pics because honestly, I was disgusted. The shop manager didn't argue, didn't try to minimize it. It's potentially a big issue. The bed has to come off to get it fixed. We couldn't conceivably think of how any of the techs did this, and worse, didn't say anything or fix it.

Dare I say it but they went from NOT having to replace the box to now, unrelated to the accident, possibly having to. I am going to think positive.

This isn't me making a big issue out of something small, either. The bodyshop manager and the office admin who were out at the truck with me when I saw it did a collective "Oooofff....that's not good."

They thanked me for keeping my cool, apologized profusely for it, and said it would get fixed.

Definitely DO NOT get hit in these trucks. This was a simple rear end collision, not even that bad of one, that has now turned into a nightmare.

 

[Spamslurpee]

The right rear quarter had to be replaced, which I knew. In the process, they managed to bend/crease and crack the paint where the right rear quarter meets the front bulkhead of the bed. I didn't take any pics because honestly, I was disgusted. The shop manager didn't argue, didn't try to minimize it. It's potentially a big issue. The bed has to come off to get it fixed. We couldn't conceivably think of how any of the techs did this, and worse, didn't say anything or fix it.

Dare I say it but they went from NOT having to replace the box to now, unrelated to the accident, possibly having to. I am going to think positive.

This isn't me making a big issue out of something small, either. The bodyshop manager and the office admin who were out at the truck with me when I saw it did a collective "Oooofff....that's not good."

They thanked me for keeping my cool, apologized profusely for it, and said it would get fixed.

Definitely DO NOT get hit in these trucks. This was a simple rear end collision, not even that bad of one, that has now turned into a nightmare.

This is an issue with the body shop, not specific to getting in an accident with the F-150 itself. That said, I wouldn't want to get hit in any vehicle and fewer shops know how to deal with the aluminum bodies it seems.

 

[TheWaterman]

That said, I wouldn't want to get hit in any vehicle and fewer shops know how to deal with the aluminum bodies it seems.

I think to be clear, that^, is the issue. But it should also be said, trucks in general, are very tricky to fix. Add aluminum to that? Bad combo. What makes it even worse is it's a new vehicle, in a very specific package, with hard to come by parts.

But I think I am going to have to disagree with you. My client who owned a bodyshop, and another person I know of in the industry, have said F150's are one of the most challenging vehicles to repair. Another one, they always mention, is Corvettes with the SMC bodies.

Now would I rather have aluminum for longevity? Yes.

This is in no way saying it's unsafe in a crash. It probably is very safe.

I am ready for this ordeal to be over.

 

[TheWaterman]

Another reason to not get into an accident (sounds stupid to say) is insurance is not at all what it was back 10-15 years ago. I have been on the phone with 6 different individuals no less than 15-20 times to get to this point. My original adjuster was horrible. So bad, they fired him. All of a sudden I get an email "your claim is closed" and meanwhile, the truck wasn't even repaired. I called, they tell me the adjuster "is no longer with the company" and they will get me back on track.

They reopen the claim, tell me to drop the truck at the shop, and they will handle it. The shop then tells me "This isn't how it works..." Call back the adjuster and he says "Oh, no, this is DEFINITELY how it works." I drop the truck off. Then, two days later, I get a new estimate for basically 50% of what the shops initial estimate was. I call the shop and ask "What now?" Their response was "Wait, we had no idea anyone even stopped by? Your keys haven't left the hook on the wall." Now we're about 10 days in. Apparently a "photo adjuster" stopped by, took maybe 5-10 photos, and drafted an estimate. We are now stuck, nothing happening.

I get my new internal adjuster assigned, who is really good. They also assign an external adjuster, who is also very good. He goes to the shop, meets with them, approves their estimate within $50. Finally, they start ordering parts. He calls them every 3-4 days for updates, and conveys to me it's all an issue with the parts taking forever to arrive.

It takes ANOTHER 10 days before they are able to get all the parts. And I am sitting here looking at the repair invoice and they ordered parts, OEM, from ALL over the place. They are all OEM but it's not like a one-place source. From that point? 5 days the truck is "done."

That 5th day was today, I go, the truck isn't right. The external adjuster calls me back to tell me "Do not drive that truck off the lot until everything is the way you want it" and proceeds to tell me if there is another issue, he will stop by and personally inspect again.

 

[CAMDENN]

Another reason to not get into an accident (sounds stupid to say) is insurance is not at all what it was back 10-15 years ago. I have been on the phone with 6 different individuals no less than 15-20 times to get to this point. My original adjuster was horrible. So bad, they fired him. All of a sudden I get an email "your claim is closed" and meanwhile, the truck wasn't even repaired. I called, they tell me the adjuster "is no longer with the company" and they will get me back on track.

They reopen the claim, tell me to drop the truck at the shop, and they will handle it. The shop then tells me "This isn't how it works..." Call back the adjuster and he says "Oh, no, this is DEFINITELY how it works." I drop the truck off. Then, two days later, I get a new estimate for basically 50% of what the shops initial estimate was. I call the shop and ask "What now?" Their response was "Wait, we had no idea anyone even stopped by? Your keys haven't left the hook on the wall." Now we're about 10 days in. Apparently a "photo adjuster" stopped by, took maybe 5-10 photos, and drafted an estimate. We are now stuck, nothing happening.

I get my new internal adjuster assigned, who is really good. They also assign an external adjuster, who is also very good. He goes to the shop, meets with them, approves their estimate within $50. Finally, they start ordering parts. He calls them every 3-4 days for updates, and conveys to me it's all an issue with the parts taking forever to arrive.

It takes ANOTHER 10 days before they are able to get all the parts. And I am sitting here looking at the repair invoice and they ordered parts, OEM, from ALL over the place. They are all OEM but it's not like a one-place source. From that point? 5 days the truck is "done."

That 5th day was today, I go, the truck isn't right. The external adjuster calls me back to tell me "Do not drive that truck off the lot until everything is the way you want it" and proceeds to tell me if there is another issue, he will stop by and personally inspect again.

In NJ, are you required by law to use the shop(s) that your insurance company does business with?

 

[TheWaterman]

In NJ, are you required by law to use the shop(s) that your insurance company does business with?

Nope and I specifically picked this shop as it was a Ford dealer and non-DRP. Granted, in NJ at least, if your vehicle is in the last 2 model years they are required to use OEM. Older than that, you can get really screwed when they start using non-OEM parts. DRP shops also work for the insurance company. They are the adjuster and repairer. They also get incentives for saving money. On-site dealer body shops are super rare these days to begin with AND there are a lot of shops that say they work with aluminum but really have no idea how to repair it. I should also say there are non-dealer bodyshops that are Ford collision certified and with that, are good with aluminum.

I decided to "pop in" this morning to see what the situation was. Every single manager in the place came out. The bodyshop manager, office manager, shop foreman, and the dealership assistant manager. The shop foreman came right up and said it was his fault. He put a new guy on that piece-work, he got a little heavy handed trying to get the panel on, and that's how they bent/creased the front bulkhead. They were putting the bed back on when I got there. He assured me it would be done no later than tomorrow and be perfect. I thanked him, said I appreciated the honesty, and just let me know when it's good to go.

When I go back, I am going through the entire repair with them. Piece by piece.

Once again, this is all from a simple rear end collision.

 

[SightUnseen]

Installed the Husky Liners Aeroskin II hood shield

 

[SightUnseen]

And added Diode Dynamic's to the hood

 

[JediMcMuffin]

TRUKD 12.5” bed rack. I can at a later time convert the brackets to angled ones to give me 6” of additional height.

 

[CAMDENN]

Nope and I specifically picked this shop as it was a Ford dealer and non-DRP. Granted, in NJ at least, if your vehicle is in the last 2 model years they are required to use OEM. Older than that, you can get really screwed when they start using non-OEM parts. DRP shops also work for the insurance company. They are the adjuster and repairer. They also get incentives for saving money. On-site dealer body shops are super rare these days to begin with AND there are a lot of shops that say they work with aluminum but really have no idea how to repair it. I should also say there are non-dealer bodyshops that are Ford collision certified and with that, are good with aluminum.

I decided to "pop in" this morning to see what the situation was. Every single manager in the place came out. The bodyshop manager, office manager, shop foreman, and the dealership assistant manager. The shop foreman came right up and said it was his fault. He put a new guy on that piece-work, he got a little heavy handed trying to get the panel on, and that's how they bent/creased the front bulkhead. They were putting the bed back on when I got there. He assured me it would be done no later than tomorrow and be perfect. I thanked him, said I appreciated the honesty, and just let me know when it's good to go.

When I go back, I am going through the entire repair with them. Piece by piece.

Once again, this is all from a simple rear end collision.

Wow.
I hope it gets repaired properly and that you’re satisfied with it.

 

[TheWaterman]

Wow.
I hope it gets repaired properly and that you’re satisfied with it.

Got the truck today. I spent 30 min going through the whole repair. Foreman told me what happened in how they bent/creased the front bed bulkhead. The quarters have to be chiseled off the truck in certain parts. New guy + chisel/hammer = little too much force. The foreman, who is a super nice guy, personally fixed it and QC checked the repair.

Once again, do not get hit in an aluminum body vehicle. The repair is as good as it could have ever been. With that being said, the way the trucks are repaired vs. assembled from the factory is different.

On another note, they put a piece on the truck that (I can personally attest to) it didn't have from the factory, and should have had. I stop by next week to have them put it on the non-repaired side.

Interesting month for me. Hoping things are a bit quieter going forward.

Now we get into the DV claim.

 

[Hogfan]

I'm a little behind because I had already purchased stuff prior to picking the truck up and the dealer helped me with the bedliner and tonneau cover. Windows have been tinted and the leveling kit was all done prior to me actually joining the forum. Added this today though. The white ford oval wasn't doing it for me.

That emblem decal vinyls look great! I agree with the white ford oval taking away from the look. I ended up getting the blacked out since it was the only one I could find, but I think yours looks better. Where did you get them?

 

[Quake jockey]

Added the decals to the tailgate. Really pops on the antimatter blue.

🛘

 

[flying4bows]

Just added the Husky comfort bed liner, 3/4 inch thick and comfortable for afternoon siestas at the lake, if I need to haul dirt or rocks, I have a trailer.

 

[T-Rob]

Just a few cosmetic changes. Replaced all of the TREMOR badging and stickers with updated ones. Plus I added one to the front grill and inside the cabin.

Also added overlay stickers to the rear FORD emblem and the one on the steering wheel.

I’m diggin’ it!