So I'm driving along Jacksonville Rd. in Lower Bucks County, PA going the 45mph speed limit with my brother riding shotgun on the way back from our parent's house, when all of the sudden there are 2 deer in the middle of the road. I slammed the brakes and swerved around the first one (the larger of the two, thankfully), and as I pull the wheel back to the right to avoid the second one (not to mention oncoming traffic), the b@stard moves right with me and THUMP...as the car stops the dead center of the front hits him right on the @ss. The deer gets popped up and forward like a golf ball punched with a wedge, lands 1/2 on its rear-end, half on its side, skids for about 10 feet, then gets up, leaps a fence and runs away. The other one looked around for sec, then followed suit.

So I'm sitting there like "what the f**k just happened". Obviously we were both fine, the airbags didn't even go off. And while there wasn't an enormous jarring crash, it made a hell of a noise and had to travel at least 15 feet in the air. I get out and check the front, expecting to find some serious damage, only to see that the grill is cracked and the Chrysler logo on the end of the hood is slightly depressed. Amazing.

Pics are attached. Damn deer!

So I'm thinking about getting this grille. Anyone know if this is a straight-up replacement, rather than something that clips on to the original? The hood damage is superficial and I'm 90% sure they'll just tap it back into form.

Any info on the grille would be appreciated, though.

 

One of my biggest fears driving home on the local freeway at night.

Id say you got damn lucky!

 

It must have been your lucky day. It could have been ugly I hit one at 50 mph in a 2000 Mercury Cougar and it wasn't a prretty sight.

 

That grill is a full replacement ! It looks good but you'll need a wing.

 

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like your hood is damaged too.

 

The tip of the hood is depressed a bit, but no real dents and definitely no cracks. I'd be surprised if they needed to replace it.

 

A wing? I already have a wing, its an SRT-6 after all

 

Glad it wasn’t worse PhillySRT! Last time I checked that wing cost $125.00, Chrysler is proud of that little ornament .

 

Several folks here have that mesh grill, or one like it. It is a replacement. I have the lower mesh grills on my Aero. SRT SIX was selling them here.

MikeR

 

Oh, the Chrysler Wing. Yeah, I'll probably need a new one of those. I was surprised that the plastic stock grill costs so much. The one I'm ordering is almost $100 cheaper and its all metal and chrome.

I think, parts wise, I'll need a new grille and wing. The very tip of the hood was pressed in a bit. I'd be shocked if that needs to be replaced though.

 

Metal and chrome? Do you have pictures?

 

Philly, my condolences!
Now that we've lost our sunlight after DST ended it's my most hated time of the year simply because there is not one spot on my 55 mile drive home where there isn't a stinkin' deer crossing. They infest this area, like roaches in a So. Florida kitchen (no offense meant to our So. Florida members !).
I've been around Bucks Cty. several times & it's pretty & wooded & positively says "deer".
And, I'd be willing to bet, there isn't much hunting taking place around lo. Bucks!
Take my advice though, my friend, if ever in the future you find yourself in a similar situation do not weave. Odds are that you'll end up inside a tree while Bambi scampers off. I've seen deer do some pretty amazing things (besides standing in the middle of the road waiting to get goosed by a Crossfire) including things like leaping out of the way at the very last second before impact.