Broken front valence - Expensive?

[Llando88]

Well, I drove past what I thought was a safety cone last night in the dark. Unfortunately for me, it was covering a piece of rebar stick in the ground.

The result is that the front right under of my 2016 Ram 2500 Laramie was torn off two of the outer most clips.

I'll have to check on a replacement at the dealer, or online when I get back from the trip.

Anyone know if these lower front valence panels are expensive?

From the clips I saw, the just fit into the lower of the chrome number. I would guess I'll need at least a couple of these...

Oh well, lesson learned for me, don't turn around in the dark in an unfamiliar parking lot...


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[bigolayne]

Do you need the valence? I'm thinking of taking mine off.

 

[Llando88]

Hm, I might, I need to have a good look at it today in daylight. It may be I just need some of the clips.

I really appreciate it though, if it it turns out I need a new one, I'll have to decide if I just leave it off also or if I can deal with it as is.

Thanks again.

Rich


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[bigolayne]

You will gain ground clearance without it. That's what I'm looking for

 

[Llando88]

You will gain ground clearance without it. That's what I'm looking for

Copy that. :/


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[xrsman]

I think they look weird without the valence. I'd just fix it up if I were you. It was reported by someone on here that their mileage took a small hit once they removed it.

 

[crash_eco]

Mines in the rafters of my garage. Had to take it off to fit the plow bracket. Barely even noticeable.

 

[gassersarentdead]

I took it off my 1500 and it looked way better, gonna take it off this 2500 too.

 

[Road King]

If you are in SoCal, I have an extra used one...

 

[Llando88]

First, thanks for the offers of help. I am really impressed by this forum.

Seems like a lot of stand up guys here.

Ok, so I finally got to our house, and had a look at the valance where it was hanging off.

The outer most fixing bolt and body nut as well as three of the plastic locating push pins were ok.

The issue was the valance was pulled down and over all of these four attachments. The pins as well as bolt are all ok.

The mounting holes however are stressed and bowed out a bit.

So I think it will be possible to get a fender washer or similar and remount the hardware to hold the valance up. I decided to try that to get the mpg benefit, as when I'm towing I'm already down to about 13 mpg.

Thanks again.

Rich

 

[Llando88]

Ok, just to update with what I ended up doing, in case it happens to someone else.

I bought a steel fender washer 1/4" X 1" as well as three nylon flat washers 1" X 13/32" X 1/16". The intent of the washers was to bridge the broken / stressed plastic of the valance skin.

I put the steel washer over the valance skin between the speed washer, then tightened up the 10 mm bolt.

Same with the nylon washers, insert the plastic expansion bolt, hold up the nylon washer to the valance skin, the press the plunger.

It is very secure, I had to use a couple cuss words on the plungers to get them to seat home.

Couple pics:

This shows nylon on left, steel on right.

And these are the parts / Tools used:

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