Ford Ranger vs Kangaroo

My 3-Month Journey to Repair a Ford Ranger After a Kangaroo Collision

Whilst driving near Yallourn North on Latrobe River Road in late July, I encountered a kangaroo—an experience that was entirely new to me despite traveling that road many times since 2012. I’ve driven it at all hours, towed trailers, and even made the trip countless times with my old Commodore, but never had an issue or seen a kangaroo. But on one Friday morning, around 8am, my luck ran out. The kangaroo came out of nowhere, and at 100km/h, there was no avoiding it. The collision left my Ford Ranger with extensive damage that would turn into a three-month repair saga.

After the initial tow to a depot, my vehicle was transferred to Roger Manson Panels in Traralgon, where I hoped it would get the care it needed. They assessed the damage quickly and submitted a quote to RACV, though it took over a week for the claim to be approved. With the green light, I was given an estimated repair completion date of the 13th of September. But as anyone who has dealt with major repairs knows, estimates can be a moving target.

The Unseen Complexities Behind the Repairs

The extent of the damage was more complicated than I initially realized. The impact had taken out what’s called the “front skirt”—a structural part located within the engine bay. Repairing this piece required heavy-duty welding, a time-consuming and detailed task. To access the front skirt, the entire dashboard had to be removed, which meant taking out the windscreen too. This domino effect required a complete recalibration of the safety systems and cameras at Ford once the repairs were finished.

Adding to the complexity, the collision had also damaged the battery, causing it to blow up and spew battery acid over various parts under the bonnet. Because acid can cause long-term issues, the repair team chose to replace multiple parts and pipes as a precaution. The acid damage extended to the bonnet itself, meaning it needed a full respray to restore it to its original condition.

The Communication Breakdown

As the repairs dragged on, it became clear that communication from Roger Manson Panels was sorely lacking. I found myself having to constantly reach out for updates, often only to get conflicting information. At one point, I was even informed that my follow-up calls were considered “harassment,” which seemed odd given how little information I’d received without having to chase it down. With better communication, there wouldn’t have been a need for so much follow-up on my part.

Delays and Complications

The original completion date of September 13th came and went with little progress to show. I visited the shop on the 26th of September, only to find my Ranger completely dismantled, with the windscreen out and the dashboard in pieces. They assured me that the repair would move quickly once a specific part arrived, but ongoing part delays and the sheer scale of the repair kept pushing the timeline further out.

Eventually, after even more waiting, the repairs were finally completed on October 18th, and the vehicle was sent to Ford for recalibration as promised. Roger Manson Panels kept their word on this final date, but the constant delays and lack of updates had made the experience far more frustrating than it needed to be.

Picking Up My Ford Ranger

When I finally picked up my Ranger, I was glad to have it back but disappointed to find a few lingering issues. The air conditioning wasn’t directing air properly, a badge was missing, and an interior clip hadn’t been replaced. While these were minor details, they felt significant after such a lengthy repair process. The car was relatively clean when I picked it up, though the roof needed a wash and the inside of the windscreen was still dusty. Minor details, yes, but noticeable after three months without the vehicle.

Final Thoughts

In retrospect, I understand that this was a complex repair, and I appreciate the team’s dedication to doing the job right. The welding, recalibration, and precautionary replacement of parts required time and skill. However, the lack of proactive communication and frequent delays made the experience extremely challenging. I often felt like my vehicle was being pushed aside for other repairs.

This experience has taught me a lesson about where to go for major repairs. While I had been happy with Roger Manson Panels’ tyre service in the past, this ordeal has made me reconsider. For future repairs, I’ll likely look further afield for a shop that not only delivers quality work but also keeps me informed every step of the way.