So the unthinkable happened...

[utley]

Someone rear ended my truck the other night and decided to run off. Parked out in front of my house on the street, and my dashcam showed a Subaru looking SUV bouncing off my truck and driving off. HOW they managed to drive off, Ive no idea but they hit my truck so hard it broke my rear axle right at the diff. Damage estimate so far is over 10k, and Im not even sure if my insurance will total it or not, but since its looking like its going to be fixed, Im like to upgrade some of the broken stuff. Any suggestions? Definitely would like to get a more beefier axle for starters, and I have an aftermarket bumper picked out. What would ppl suggest?
Could also use a little assistance in identifying the vehicle...idiot caused a Class F felony driving off, and I want some butts.

front cam hit and run 4/16/2026 Ballwin MO

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

 

[Mojo88]

That sucks. I drive so defensively nowadays, it's ridiculous. But of course, not much you can do to avoid someone rear-ending you.

My take is: just use all OEM and fix it 100% back to factory parts and standards. I would not introduce any aftermarket parts....... because ..... if something isn't right, and you used aftermarket items, then NOBODY will want to take ANY blame, and you could be stuck with something that's UN-driveable.

Do your mods AFTER you have a fully repaired truck that runs and drives perfect. JMO

 

[utley]

That sucks. I drive so defensively nowadays, it's ridiculous. But of course, not much you can do to avoid someone rear-ending you.

My take is: just use all OEM and fix it 100% back to factory parts and standards. I would not introduce any aftermarket parts....... because ..... if something isn't right, and you used aftermarket items, then NOBODY will want to take ANY blame, and you could be stuck with something that's UN-driveable.

Do your mods AFTER you have a fully repaired truck that runs and drives perfect. JMO

the repairs being done at my dealership. They dropped hints that they're going to use USED parts rather than new stuff because thats a thing. God forbid we keep things up and running with new parts and I barely have 27k miles on my truck. Im not having that.

the guy hit my truck while it was just sitting in front of my house, and this is like the 4th time Ive been hit in my truck...and the 3rd time hit while I wasnt even nearby.

 

[EdGs]

the repairs being done at my dealership. They dropped hints that they're going to use USED parts rather than new stuff because thats a thing. God forbid we keep things up and running with new parts and I barely have 27k miles on my truck. Im not having that.

the guy hit my truck while it was just sitting in front of my house, and this is like the 4th time Ive been hit in my truck...and the 3rd time hit while I wasnt even nearby.

I would press the OE parts thing. No way you should have to settle for less with so few miles on your ride.

I wonder how bad the transmision got harshed with the rear axle looking like it does.

Don't take any sh*t, from them or your ins. co.

Wish you the best.

 

[jawzs2]

Yes - it's going to be a fight with the insurance co., but they "may" eventually acquiesce

 

[rzr6-4]

Ya, that's why I don't park in front of my own house unless absolutely necessary, seems like anymore unless you are there when it happened no one will face accountability. Friend of mine was recently in a hit in run and even with him there with witnesses, they still got away because no one could/would run them down.

I would like to have a dashcam, but with 3 different vehicles I never know what I will be in on any given day.

 

[utley]

I would press the OE parts thing. No way you should have to settle for less with so few miles on your ride.

I wonder how bad the transmision got harshed with the rear axle looking like it does.

Don't take any sh*t, from them or your ins. co.

Wish you the best.

Understood, Ive too much money in this truck. Just had it ceramic coated a few weeks ago, new stereo system put in last week, started paying it down en masse this year and Im not having used crap put on my vehicle. I will be happy to pay the difference with upgrades rather than OEM like on the rear suspension and axle if possible. If not, Ill demand new parts rather than sourced used...but even that would be a hassle because I couldnt even get an OEM windshield for my truck within 90 days last year, and I can already see this thing running longer than 30 days to fix. Insurance only gives me like 10-15 days for a rental, and I only have a motorcycle now to get around town.

They might just total the whole thing anyways, and if they do that I can expect to get back just almost 6k out of the vehicle. I spent way more than that on upgrades just in the last 2 months.

 

[utley]

Ya, that's why I don't park in front of my own house unless absolutely necessary, seems like anymore unless you are there when it happened no one will face accountability. Friend of mine was recently in a hit in run and even with him there with witnesses, they still got away because no one could/would run them down.

I would like to have a dashcam, but with 3 different vehicles I never know what I will be in on any given day.

I dont do it unless I have to either; I was out riding my motorcycles this past week since its nice outside and I have to move the truck out of the way to drive them.

 

[EdGs]

Any neighbors with cameras? Nearby stores, etc. Maybe get lucky and they'll have stopped there before plowing your truck.

 

[olyelr]

Looks like you live off a main drag, so is it possible the suspect lives in your neighborhood? I would be driving around looking in driveways for a similar vehicle that is smashed up.

How terrible! I hope you find the culprit and they get put to justice. Best of luck with the truck repairs/replacement…whichever way it goes!

 

[RamDiver]

If they decide to write it off, beware. Their first offers are typically a low-ball BS number.

Many years ago, my former off-road toy was rear-ended during a sudden spring white-out.
The insurance company wouldn't spring for $1000 to replace the rear bumper and a slight bit of cosmetics.

Instead, they declared it too old to fix and offered me about $1200. After copying 4 or 5 ads in Truck Trader, they gave me about $3200, and then I bought it back for $50.

This is in the late '90s, and it was an old winter beater. Your truck looks like it is a gem.

Don't accept a BS low-ball offer. I'm confident that Truck Trader ads and elsewhere will have the typical sale price.

Good luck, I hope you find satisfaction and ideally get your truck repaired with OEM parts or better.

.

 

[olyelr]

Also, judging by the condition of the rear axle, it must have taken the brunt of the blow. Make sure they check the frame good…could have easily been tweaked where the control arms mount to the frame.

 

[olyelr]

Also, are any of those parts lying on the ground from the car that hit you? If so, those could possibly hint you to what brand/model vehicle it is.

 

[utley]

Also, are any of those parts lying on the ground from the car that hit you? If so, those could possibly hint you to what brand/model vehicle it is.

Yeah they left behind their pax side mirror. Police took it with them that night. Vehicle definitely looks local, but with door dash being a thing, it could be anywhere. I've been searching my hood for the past week now looking for it, even behind supermarket parking lots and whatnot. They could not have gone too far.........unless that Subaru is a tank.

 

[RamDiver]

Yeah they left behind their pax side mirror. Police took it with them that night. Vehicle definitely looks local, but with door dash being a thing, it could be anywhere. I've been searching my hood for the past week now looking for it, even behind supermarket parking lots and whatnot. They could not have gone too far.........unless that Subaru is a tank.

Have you looked at any of the local body shops?

.

 

[utley]

Have you looked at any of the local body shops?

.

Ive gone further than that by calling local subaru dealerships asking for help locating this person. I WANT this guy and they better hope I dont find him before the police do.

State Farm got back with me today and approved my repairs; emailed my dealership and asked them if they were approved for scrounged up parts rather than new stuff, and havent heard back from them yet. Total damage "so far" is estimated $10,650 with $1500 of that being labor. Not sure if they even tried turning the engine over so I dont know if the transmission or the motor are shot yet. They might have, I dont know. I hope to know by tomorrow, but Ive been looking at getting a 392 put in and this very well could be kind of a blessing in disguise.

 

[utley]

Any neighbors with cameras? Nearby stores, etc. Maybe get lucky and they'll have stopped there before plowing your truck.

With cameras? Not sure, but a few neighbors saw it happen. Not sure what the police dug up quite yet though, police report isnt even posted online yet.

 

[Wild one]

There's not much in the way of axle upgrades unless you want to go aftermarket and stick a 9" or Dana 60 under it,but they aren't exactly bolt in upgrades,they'll require some serious fabricating skills.How badly mangled is the driveshaft,if it's bent,make sure they look very close at the transmission,doubtful the rods would be bent in the engine,but make sure you inform your insurance company that the truck was parked and you're worried the connecting rods inside the engine might have some damage

 

[Grams]

One of the “gotchas” when upgrading a vehicle is….when something like this occurs.. You’ll never get your value out of it …unless you drive it out.

IN this thread…you are likely finding that State Farm is repairing it under your “under-insured/un-insured” clause. This will result in the underwriter having greater decision-making in the repair-scheme…. OR…if they total it..you will NOT get the value you think it’s worth.

I JUST went thru this scenario with State Farm…and lost thou$and$ in the end….and I had maintained that truck for it to be my final vehicle in retirement.

Goodluck finding the hit-and-run. If you are able, you’ll likely get a much better insurance-settlement…IF he’s insured at all. The problem IS…. many times a hit-and-run is UN-insured… stolen… or undocumented alien…. and you’re back to square-one with your own insureance.

 

[utley]

One of the “gotchas” when upgrading a vehicle is….when something like this occurs.. You’ll never get your value out of it …unless you drive it out.

IN this thread…you are likely finding that State Farm is repairing it under your “under-insured/un-insured” clause. This will result in the underwriter having greater decision-making in the repair-scheme…. OR…if they total it..you will NOT get the value you think it’s worth.

I JUST went thru this scenario with State Farm…and lost thou$and$ in the end….and I had maintained that truck for it to be my final vehicle in retirement.

Goodluck finding the hit-and-run. If you are able, you’ll likely get a much better insurance-settlement…IF he’s insured at all. The problem IS…. many times a hit-and-run is UN-insured… stolen… or undocumented alien…. and you’re back to square-one with your own insureance.

I was already in the process of upgrading this vehicle to be the last vehicle I ever bought; last month or so I was poking around here asking about upgrading my 347 to add more power or trade it in for a 2500 Cummins. I didnt particularly care for the hassle of diesel maintenance so I just decided to keep this truck....now I HAVE to keep it unless theres more hidden damage underneath. Between the payments, interest and taxes, and the upgrades Ive put into it (leather seats, fuel rims, 3" lift kit, ceramic coating and 4k worth of new speakers and amplifier) Ive well over 100k in this truck. Because this a55hole decided to play pinball off my truck, all that time and money just got wasted, and no matter what I get the best Ill get out of it is what the difference is between what I owe and what fair price value is for the truck. Unless he happens to man TF up and apologize to me or the cops find him, if I have to go find him then Im going to prison.