Need Advice
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Need Advice
Long story short, I paid too much for an R titled 2000 Ex limited 4x4 v10 that i cant register due to failing Pennsylvania enhanced inspection for a bent frame horn.
Due to the location of the bend, the frame shop isnt able to repair it, as its in the drivers side crumple zone. They gave me an estimate to replace the frame: parts and labor would be in excess of $5.5k.
Otherwise, the vehicle is in decent shape, and everything works, and it is driveable. Just unable to be registered.
As i see it, my options are:
1. Part it out, and scrap whatever is left.
2. Sell whole as parts only
3. Find one that needs a motor/transmission and pay someone to do the swap.
1&2 ill never get back what i paid for it, so ill have to cut my losses. 3 i dont know how much that would cost or if it would even be worth it.
Looking for advice from those of you who may have been in a similar situation, or have other ideas for what can be done. Thank you in advance.
/r
Dustin
Due to the location of the bend, the frame shop isnt able to repair it, as its in the drivers side crumple zone. They gave me an estimate to replace the frame: parts and labor would be in excess of $5.5k.
Otherwise, the vehicle is in decent shape, and everything works, and it is driveable. Just unable to be registered.
As i see it, my options are:
1. Part it out, and scrap whatever is left.
2. Sell whole as parts only
3. Find one that needs a motor/transmission and pay someone to do the swap.
1&2 ill never get back what i paid for it, so ill have to cut my losses. 3 i dont know how much that would cost or if it would even be worth it.
Looking for advice from those of you who may have been in a similar situation, or have other ideas for what can be done. Thank you in advance.
/r
Dustin
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 816
Likes: 7
From: Prescott, AZ
Another option might be to find out what other states could allow it to be registered with the ugly title and see if you can negotiate with a buyer there. If I'm not mistaken, there are a couple at least - New Mexico comes to mind as allowing a salvage title, not sure what the rules and boundaries are. Given your options, it may net you more money than the rest but will take some research, effort, and logistics.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 180
Ohio allows salvage title and most areas do not have inspection of any sort. There are a few counties that still do the smog test, but not many, and I think that's the extent of it. Not sure what they do for a salvage title inspection from out of state, but my daughters Escape has a salvage title and to my knowledge, no inspection was conducted at title change.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 855
Likes: 40
From: SoCal
If the damage is just the front section that's not so bad. If the Ex is rust free and all complete it may be worth the repair. The Ex herd is beginning to thin. Even here in Cali a good clean 4x4 v10 will fetch close to 10K. They'll only go up from here.
Veteran/Sheepdog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
You can get a full X frame down here for under $1000..sometimes well under that.
Salvage titles are good to go here as well. No one looks at the frame on the annual vehicle inspections here. Just lights and smog (in select counties).
Salvage titles are good to go here as well. No one looks at the frame on the annual vehicle inspections here. Just lights and smog (in select counties).
Trending Topics
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,049
Likes: 1,546
From: Media PA
Dustin, where in the Keystone State are you located?
@Twitchyleprechaun may still have a V-10 EX that he was parting out, if I recall it was straight and sound and was a driver until it suffered some electrical issues. He is just South of Gettysburg in MD and that frame should be good to go if you are willing to do some work.
I know that PA is a stickler on the regular annual safety inspections and really breaks out the fine toothed comb for special cases like rebuilds and salvage titles.
@Twitchyleprechaun may still have a V-10 EX that he was parting out, if I recall it was straight and sound and was a driver until it suffered some electrical issues. He is just South of Gettysburg in MD and that frame should be good to go if you are willing to do some work.
I know that PA is a stickler on the regular annual safety inspections and really breaks out the fine toothed comb for special cases like rebuilds and salvage titles.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 855
Likes: 40
From: SoCal
Looks like some of the parts to make that repair are still available from the factory. Remember from firewall forward it's just a Superduty. I'm assuming you need what's called "The Rail End". The donor truck could be a Superduty or an Ex. Might as well convert to coils while you're at it. Just throwin that out there.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Dustin, where in the Keystone State are you located?
@Twitchyleprechaun may still have a V-10 EX that he was parting out, if I recall it was straight and sound and was a driver until it suffered some electrical issues. He is just South of Gettysburg in MD and that frame should be good to go if you are willing to do some work.
I know that PA is a stickler on the regular annual safety inspections and really breaks out the fine toothed comb for special cases like rebuilds and salvage titles.
@Twitchyleprechaun may still have a V-10 EX that he was parting out, if I recall it was straight and sound and was a driver until it suffered some electrical issues. He is just South of Gettysburg in MD and that frame should be good to go if you are willing to do some work.
I know that PA is a stickler on the regular annual safety inspections and really breaks out the fine toothed comb for special cases like rebuilds and salvage titles.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Looks like some of the parts to make that repair are still available from the factory. Remember from firewall forward it's just a Superduty. I'm assuming you need what's called "The Rail End". The donor truck could be a Superduty or an Ex. Might as well convert to coils while you're at it. Just throwin that out there.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 855
Likes: 40
From: SoCal
The "Rail End" itself is no longer available according to the Tasca Ford website, but I would call them. Sometimes the dealers can find parts laying around in a corner. The connectors are still available and the front plates. Here's the link: https://www.tascaparts.com/auto-part...omponents-scat
Watch this video, J.C. Smith shows what needs to be done.
Watch this video, J.C. Smith shows what needs to be done.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Excellent. Thank you. Ill start looking around for that. I appreciate all the help
