Most cars built today are unibody contruction, which means that it does not have a rail frame. When cars were first built, the drivetrain was bolted to a frame--called a chassis. Then the body was lowered onto the fame and attached with bolts. Finally fenders, bumpers, and trim were bolted to the nearly complete car.

In the mid 50'*, some manufacturers (Chrysler being the one doing the pioneering engineering) started experimenting with a "unibody" contsruction, inwhich the body itself became an integral structure that gave the car the rigidity needed to support the drivetrain. In a unibody, the body is reinforced in key locations to accept the mounting hardware for the engine and drive axle (whether FWD or RWD). The only cars that are full frame cars nowadays are Pickups, real SUV'*, and some of your premium luxury cars (Rolls Royce, Bently, etc).

When a unibody car is involved in a significant accident, depending on the damage location, the car may be damaged beyond reasonable repair. Even if it looks like a minor accident, a unibody car cannot always maintain the integrety it needs to be road worthy.

Now before anyone thinks that Unibody construction is a bad thing, let me say that they are in some cases stronger and safer than a full frame car. The only problem is that significant rust can destroy the integrity of a unibody more so than a full frame car.

Speaking of Ford Trucks envolved in accedents, my ex-friend was rallying in his 90'* (unsure of yr) F-150 Eddie Bower edition. He was pulling slides and stuff on some dirt road. So, then he lets his friend drive (actually have a turn rallying) and he takes a turn at about 50 mph and slides of the road. They crash into a bunch of trees and totalled the Ford. Luckly they were not hurt, but they did clear a pretty decent patch of forest.

Now my ex-friend is suing his friend for crashing his truck.

Thanks 95Bonnevillesesc. Interesting stuff. I think another factor is that the cost to repair the car was mare than what the car was worth. To bad for the Eddie Bauer F-150, but at least none of the people were hurt!

I'm not sure, but I think the people involved in that crash (ford hitting trees) were drinking. I'm not surprised it happend either, that guy is always driving crazy. It was pretty stupid to be rallying in a narrow forest path like that.

The unibodies are constructed to crumple easier. Supposedly, this is to absorb impact and save lives. It'* probably just a side effect that the newer cars are totalled much easier, but it still sucks! I was in the insurance field for a short while. Insurance companies have a bad reputation, but they earned it.

yes, i know this is an old topic i placed but if you were wondering, My friends truck is on my cardomain page. It is on page #1, 3rd pic. down.

Ford-found on redneck'* driveway
Oh wait.. thats an oxymoron.. they dont have driveways..

Yes I do...

I live in the middle of redneckville and look at how long my driveway is!