Damaged Running Board+

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BhJaguar

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Looking at purchasing a used 2021 Rebel. It looks like one of the running boards is damaged and when I looked underneath, the bracket is pulling away from the undercarriage area (See photo). Is this something that can be reasonably repaired? The rest of the truck checks out ok.

Bracket.jpeg
 
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pacofortacos

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It could be fixed but will cost a few hundred $ to do it right.
It took a pretty good hit to rip the metal like that.
To fix it right, it would have to be pounded back into place, and welded. Personally I would then weld a plate over that entire area if you are going to put a running board back on it.
And of course rustproof it on the inside and paint it on the outside.
 

Dean2

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That ripped board may be just one sign of how hard this truck was abused or it could be just a hit on a curb. I would closely inspect the rest of the truck for signs of abuse. That is not going to be a cheap fix, my guess is a couple of thousand to do it right. I would get an estimate from a quality shop before settling on a purchase price.
 
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BhJaguar

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That ripped board may be just one sign of how hard this truck was abused or it could be just a hit on a curb. I would closely inspect the rest of the truck for signs of abuse. That is not going to be a cheap fix, my guess is a couple of thousand to do it right. I would get an estimate from a quality shop before settling on a purchase price.
I was thinking that too, but everything else seems to check out. It only has 13k miles, so it still has its factory warranty as well.
 

Dean2

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I was thinking that too, but everything else seems to check out. It only has 13k miles, so it still has its factory warranty as well.
What did the guy selling it have to say about the damage. You can piece a lot together from the story quite often. If the rest of the truck is in real nice shape, nothing else bent or broke etc might be worth considering. Low miles and full warranty goes a long ways. I still suggest you find out how much a quality fix will be though, cause that ain't covered under warranty. :)
 

kayjo

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Based on the mileage and warranty still in effect. Id get it done at an authorized body shop. This is frame that has ripped. I agree it could be repaired, (you can see the welds are very strong ) It would have to be welded and I agree it needs to be scab plated as well. But with a tear this big, Id make sure that the frame is straight. This is structural part of the vehicle. Use it as a bargaining chip. It is not a trivial weld. It is a structural weld.
 
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BhJaguar

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What did the guy selling it have to say about the damage. You can piece a lot together from the story quite often. If the rest of the truck is in real nice shape, nothing else bent or broke etc might be worth considering. Low miles and full warranty goes a long ways. I still suggest you find out how much a quality fix will be though, cause that ain't covered under warranty. :)
It’s from a major Ford dealer in my area and they’re acting like they didn’t know (I’m not believing that). Everything else seems good though. CarMax checks out as well, but I’m not sure how confident I am about these reports. Sounding like they’ll have it fixed before I buy it. I just don’t want any issues later down the road.
 
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BhJaguar

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Based on the mileage and warranty still in effect. Id get it done at an authorized body shop. This is frame that has ripped. I agree it could be repaired, (you can see the welds are very strong ) It would have to be welded and I agree it needs to be scab plated as well. But with a tear this big, Id make sure that the frame is straight. This is structural part of the vehicle. Use it as a bargaining chip. It is not a trivial weld. It is a structural weld.
I don’t believe it’s the frame that is damaged. After doing a little research, I’ve noticed a few comments complaining that the running boards on 1500’s are body mounted and not frame mounted. Some are having problems with the pre installed mounting bolts coming through. Looks like third-party companies have even produced support brackets to weld to the area.
 

Dean2

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Based on the mileage and warranty still in effect. Id get it done at an authorized body shop. This is frame that has ripped. I agree it could be repaired, (you can see the welds are very strong ) It would have to be welded and I agree it needs to be scab plated as well. But with a tear this big, Id make sure that the frame is straight. This is structural part of the vehicle. Use it as a bargaining chip. It is not a trivial weld. It is a structural weld.
It is some serious work to fix but it is NOT the frame that has been damaged. Also, this is not going to have bent the frame. This is strictly sheet metal on the rocker panels. Look left in the picture and you can see the frame, and the attaching bolts that hold the body to the frame.
 

2020PW

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I don’t believe it’s the frame that is damaged. After doing a little research, I’ve noticed a few comments complaining that the running boards on 1500’s are body mounted and not frame mounted. Some are having problems with the pre installed mounting bolts coming through. Looks like third-party companies have even produced support brackets to weld to the area.
They have mounted them there for years on all models. Don’t believe that. True sliders/rock rails mount to the frame. The OEM “rock sliders” mount to the rocker, they are for looks only.

I could see where the dealer was unaware of it. Look at the mud. Doesn’t look like they have washed it alone looked at it.
 

Dean2

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It’s from a major Ford dealer in my area and they’re acting like they didn’t know (I’m not believing that). Everything else seems good though. CarMax checks out as well, but I’m not sure how confident I am about these reports. Sounding like they’ll have it fixed before I buy it. I just don’t want any issues later down the road.
If it was me, I would prefer to have it fixed myself. If they don't do the job right, it will look fine but be a weak spot going forward and a potential rust area. Not as big a deal in Florida as it is up here but I would be worried that Ford delaer was just going to do a quickie repair, striaghten the braket, bend in the sheet metal back in place and add a little filler. I would take it as is, with the appropriate price reduiction or I would want to be there to see the repair in progress.
 

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I don't know how dealership are in your area but over here they must do a extensive vehicle check before they sale used vehicles if the dealership sales new vehicles as well. If the dealership is going to sale a truck like that before fixing it would raise flags for me. Most dealership would fix that before selling to maximum gain and no one can ask for a lower price. Did you just happen to see this truck or is it advertised on their site?
 

pacofortacos

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I agree if the rest of the truck is nice, this wouldn't stop me from buying, IF the price is reduced for the repair or it is repaired to my requests.
It's nothing for a good welder to fix and strengthen - but will be up to a $500 bill I would imagine for the welding. Rustproofing is easily done by you or a pro on the inside of that panel - probably $100 or less if you do it yourself.
The outside can cost some depending on if it is fancy painted or just a long lasting paint repair.

Personally if they would give me another $1000-1500 off for the damage PLUS replace the board and bracket if the board is damaged OR $1500-2000 off as is. I would take it if the asking price is reasonable.

The can't really say that the price already reflects the damage, since they claimed to not know about it . hahahaha
 

kayjo

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I have done some welding, but if to commercially weld this it probably wouldnt be $500 but probably $375-$425. But then you have paint primer grinding finishing. Unless you are not including that. So all total its like $650 - $700. Then the time to deal/mess with it. S yes, you should be able to get $1000 deduction if they are not going to take care of it.
 

pacofortacos

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I have done some welding, but if to commercially weld this it probably wouldnt be $500 but probably $375-$425. But then you have paint primer grinding finishing. Unless you are not including that. So all total its like $650 - $700. Then the time to deal/mess with it. S yes, you should be able to get $1000 deduction if they are not going to take care of it.
I figured I would guess on the high side as costs vary wildly across the country.

I would also have a reinforcing plate added since that metal has been weakened. I probably would just coat it inside and out with Por 15 or the equivalent and a quick top coat of something and then a spray rust proofing on the inside and out - like fluid film, etc.
To paint it with the exterior color paint would be $$$, I haven't seen any repair job under $500-700 just for paint finishing (prep and spray, blend/buff) in quite a few years.
I paid $125 just to spray my grille (I had already prepped it) and that was more than 50% off and no to minimal cost for the paint, since they were fixing my tailgate that they damaged. GRRR
 

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If the dealer is going to ******** you like that, I would move on.
 

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How could you not see the strap ( zip tie?) Holding the step to the bracket? ( right, in photo) the step itself must have damage? Can be a easy fix. What is the round item mounted on frame at 45° angle? Looks like some type diaphragm?
 
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BhJaguar

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How could you not see the strap ( zip tie?) Holding the step to the bracket? ( right, in photo) the step itself must have damage? Can be a easy fix. What is the round item mounted on frame at 45° angle? Looks like some type diaphragm?
There’s a very small amount of damage to the actual step itself (cracks in the plastic). I don’t know this for sure, but I’m starting to wonder someone at the dealer took if for a joy ride and something happened. Only speculation though. I just don’t see them taking in a vehicle and not addressing this after an inspection. I’m having someone who owns a body shop come up with me to look at it. After getting good recommendations through this thread, I’ll be more comfortable if someone not affiliated with the dealer looks it over.
 
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