Accident in the 40 (1 Viewer)

[fj40cruisin]

I post this with sadness that my 40 got hit on Saturday. I had just recently replaced my front bumper about a month ago. A lady came across a road and hit my front end on the left side, damaging my bumper, fender, aux lights, hood, and tweaking my frame. Bumper bolts and frame rivets actually sheered off. Everyone was okay and it could have been a lot worse. I believe it can be repaired but we will see what the claims adjuster says. My question is, where can I go in Utah to get my frame straightened? Anybody have someone they trust? Also, I was going to take it to a Toyota dealer repair shop to get a quote on getting it fixed. Is this a good idea of not? What other options do I have? This is my pride and joy as many of you can relate. I have thought about a frame swap but don't really know how bad the frame is until someone can look at it. Any opinions are welcome. Thanks.

 

[FJ404345]

That's a lot of damage

 

[AussieHJCruza]

I'd say she's fixable, doubt the chassis is tweaked behind the front crossmember. The question will be whether the insurance company wants to pay what it will cost.

EDIT: Hadn't noticed the bib alignment thing - ignore my comments above but I still think she's fixable but be prepared to fight.

 

[Slapshot]

That sucks man. But glad you weren’t hurt.

Insurance adjusters will F you over. They will be all friendly and sympathetic. It’s a game to get you to settle for the least amount. Tell them it’s a classic and nothing short of getting it back the way it was will suffice.
What ever you do, do not take their first offer. And keep control over the repair process.
If I sound bitter and angry, it’s from experience....

 

[pb4ugo]

I agree with fj404345, thats a lot of damage. That bib is shoved over 2" to the pass side. I wouldnt take it to Toyota. You need to find somebody familiar or specialize in old Land Cruisers to get it fixed properly. A frame swap may be in your future. If it needs a frame make sure all the paperwork is done right.

 

[TLCJC]

So happy you are ok. What insurance company does the other driver have?

 

[3_puppies]

in my opinion, the insurance company is going to total it

don't sign anything
check in here before deciding

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Been there, done that.

First, glad everyone is ok and get your medical worked out first. Document everything. If your state allows it record all conversations with your and their insurance company, if not make detailed notes of all conversations with date/time/location......they will lie, keep changing adjusters/case workers/staff on your case to wear you out, change things without your consent, send less money, charge you for things that were included in your policy (eg:rental car, etc.)

Second, slowdown.......take pictures, collect old/pre-wreck documentaion and photos. Was a crash report done? Get copies of the crash report.

Third, Read your policy and the policy of the person that hit you (their fault, their policy pays) Find the very best classic car repair shop where you live and get a single bid. Do not use their recommended repair shops. Do not accept or cash any check they give you until everything is completed to your satisfaction.

Fourth, They will try to rush you through this process to reduce their pay out. Slowdown. Get educated and know exactly what you want to make yourself whole again. Don't play games or try to get more then just your vehicle repaired to its original state.

Finally, due to the age of your truck they will try to total it. Be prepared to fight and possibliy get an attorney. Goodluck!

I lived through all of it when a guy jumped a stopsign and I t-boned him. He was at fault, but the insurance company immediately wanted to total my 60 and handed me a check for $3500. I refused, faught and it took months of arguing and game playing to get it repaired, but I won.
BTW, this was with State Farm after being a customer for over 30 years with my houses, life insurance, 5 cars and a motorcycle. Needless to say my agent of 30 years was very apologetic when I went to change insurance companies after this experience. He just couldnt understand what happened.......bs.

Good luck!

 

[Advrider639]

I had an old bmw e30 that got the front corner side swiped one night. It was a very clean and original example and I was scared they were going to total it.

I was pleasantly surprised when they told me to take it to what ever shop for repairs. Easiest insurance deal ever. I took it to a specialist BMW shop and it came back better than before and cost upwards of $4500. The insurance didn’t bat an eye.

I hope you will have a smooth deal!

 

[SteveH]

I suspect a new frame will be in order, but call some private alignment shops (or hot rod/custom shops) and see if they can recommend a good frame shop. In my experience, frame straightening can work well and cost around $500.

@AdventureToolCompany's advice was spot-on, as far as how you may get jerked around. A buddy of mine totaled his FJ60 (formerly my truck) and went through EXACTLY what Paul described - they assume you are broke and stupid and will desperately sign the first check they present to you. Don't fall for it. They lied repeatedly - told him to throw out all the bloody clothing and damaged items, and then told him 2 weeks later they were required for payment, etc. My buddy hired a semi-slimy accident lawyer to shepherd the process (he was in the hospital) and finally came out ok.

 

[1969FJ]

What happened to the other person and vehicle.

 

[FJBen]

Great info from all.

I agree, there is a lot of damage there. There are going to try and blue book an old cruiser and totally low ball it. I hope you have receipts or any info you can find. Look up comparables, (I'd hit up bring a trailer auctions) and sales on here. Get as much info/pictures as you can find.

I went through this a couple times with Cruisers and had to fight really hard on my 1976 FJ55 to get a realistic value.

The problem is there is probably WAY more damage than you think. It looks shifted pretty bad. It's possible its just the front clip, but you are talking about a 50+ year old vehicle. My guess is that the whole frame has shifted/twisted more like a diamond shape instead of rectangle.

Any pictures from the sides/back of the accident.

 

[MoCoNative]

Glad everyone was oaky, what a bummer, driving with modern traffic is just getting crazier and crazier in our classics.

Good luck, FJ40 values are higher now than they were 13 years ago when I last wrecked mine. I ended up with about 4200 dollars in 2007 after I laid mine over in a fishtailing small trailer incident. Bent the fender, windshield frame, rear upper roof quarter and broke the fiberglass roof panel. They based it on comps at the time and totaled it out, truck was in excellent shape at the time. I took the cash and put a FST on it. Still miss the hardtop though.

Also hit a doe deer with my T100, minimal cosmetic damage to the front end, grille and stuff. They totaled it out too, got even less money on it cause they took 2500 in salvage auction value off it. As was mentioned above, my family insurance agent just couldn't understand why I was leaving despite Farmers screwing me over on two perfectly good vehicles.

I had no chance of negotiating, on my pickup the guy that called with the offer was a real ass, I asked what if I refused their amount and there was no negotiating. Seemed like a crock to me, but what do you do.

To the original poster, good luck, that is some pretty bad damage. It can all be repaired but I would be doubtful anyone will want to pay for it, especially the frame damage. Might be an automatic no. Find a real cruiser shop, or classic car restorer for an estimate, the Toyota dealership won't even know what it is.

Beyond the frame, you will need one, maybe two fenders, possibly the bib, hood could probably be replaced, upper drivers fender panel may be too tweaked, check the tub forward of the kick vent, that is unsupported and if the fender drives back into it, it bends it in towards the engine at the firewall. You also have bent tie-rods, possibly center arm damage, possible steering box damage, possible axle/knuckle/spindle damage. Do you see where this is going? The total will get big quickly on this, even what they end up offering you may not even begin to cover repairs. Just the ARB bumper is going to make them laugh at the replacement cost for a 50 year old car.

 

[tacocat]

I had an old bmw e30 that got the front corner side swiped one night. It was a very clean and original example and I was scared they were going to total it.

I was pleasantly surprised when they told me to take it to what ever shop for repairs. Easiest insurance deal ever. I took it to a specialist BMW shop and it came back better than before and cost upwards of $4500. The insurance didn’t bat an eye.

I hope you will have a smooth deal!

Alright. Cough it up. Who’s your insurance company?

 

[Advrider639]

@tacocat I use progressive on my daily drivers, Hagerty covers my 40.

Interesting comment on the BMW claim, it was filed as a hit and run since the other didn’t stick around. This was then paid by my insurance provider via “uninsured motorist”. They even covered a rental car for the full two week repair time. No increase on my policy since it was part of the uninsured policy.

 

[Coastline]

I use Geico. They will insure for what ever value you place on the vehicle. Might have to have a rig inspected, though.

 

[dirtywilks]

@fj40cruisin where in Utah are you?

 

[fj40cruisin]

So happy you are ok. What insurance company does the other driver have?

The other driver has American Family Insurance. The other driver was driving a 2011 Hyundai Tucson. My bumper pretty much went through the right/front fender of her vehicle. It went in probably about 18 inches or so and coolant was coming out. Her tire was also jacked up pretty good.

 

[fj40cruisin]

@fj40cruisin where in Utah are you?

Im in Utah county in Lehi.

 

[ludwig]

@AdventureToolCompany is 100% on the money. lost a truck in 1985 and that's what they will do. Your in for a long, drawn out fight to get your money. Be tough!
Glad everyone is OK.