Hey guys-

Quick question:

My JKU was hit from the rear last week and it appears that the steel frame crossmember that runs between the ends of the frame behind the bumper is pretty significantly bent due to the fact that the car hit the trailer hitch and the hitch pushed the steel bar forward.

First, what do you call this part? Is it important structurally or just there essentially to hold the trailer hitch?

Secondly, is that something a body shop would typically be able to fix? I assume it's a cut-out-weld-in kind of thing, where a new part is welded in place on the frame. If it's bent then it has to be stretched and I would think that would preclude trying to pull it straight.

These body-on-frame vehicles are kind of new to me. What seemed like a very minor hit has done a surprising amount of damage under the covers.

 

That is just your rear cross member which you've already determined. Structurally, it's there for the purpose it just served you....structural integrity. A lot of people, like myself, cut it off in order to accommodate a skin series bumper. It should be an easy cut off and weld a new one in if that is the direction you go, but you might have to replace it with an aftermarket upgrade which would cost a bit more.....or chop one off a salvaged jeep. Not sure they sell that as a separate factory component. If you're thinking about putting a different rear bumper on, that might dictate which direction you go with the repair.

 

Well the repair is going to be paid for by the at-fault driver's insurance. Their appraiser is supposed to come today and write it up. I presume they will have some cost estimate that applies to repairing this part, so there must be some way to buy a new factory part. I see it's pretty often damaged in rear-end collisions.

More than likely I will elect to put an aftermarket bumper with integrated hitch (since my hitch was also bent) but I need to get an idea of what kind of cost estimate for the repair of this thing is reasonable.

EDIT: It seems the part number for the Mopar part is 68003493AC and they are $300ish for the part. I suppose it'll be that part plus the $200ish for the hitch and labor not counting the bumper itself, which is toast.

 

FYI just to close the loop for anyone following this:

Initially the insurance company wanted to pay half an hour labor to a body shop to "recondition" the bent crossmember. I insisted that it needed to be replaced completely in order to safely tow a trailer and maintain the factory structural integrity, and eventually they agreed to pay for 3 hours labor to install a new part plus the cost of the part. The bodyshop had to request the supplement.

MSRP on the part is $310 and I found it at a local dealer of all places for only $205. I'll be taking the Jeep to my bodyman next week to get it fixed.

 

I'm surprised that it's 3 hrs labor to chop the old one off, grind things down, and weld new one in place.....specially since the rear bumper is 4 bolts and off in 5 mins, and that part is immediately right there. Regardless, good deal getting them to pony up and sticking to your guns on the safety issue. I wouldn't have accepted it being straightened out either.

 

I am also surprised by this, but the reality is this is very little work for the body shop and a bit of a pain to have to call the insurance to get the supplemental. It may not take them that long but the insurance is paying the bill so I won't argue. The rest of the parts & repair cost (bumper, tow hook, trailer hitch) is enough to cover the cost of materials for my aftermarket bumper PLUS a front bumper to match. To me this is a win on all counts. Body shop gets an easy quick job to help pay some Christmas bills and I get some new parts for the Jeep.