Body Shop question.

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pndavis4

pndavis4

Joined
Aug 18, 2011
Threads
19
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Location
Knoxville, TN
Guys, tangled with the menu/intercom at the drive-in at Sonic. Backed into it, and did some major damage to my tailgate and lift gate. Completely shattered the back glass.
Insurance sent me to a reputable body shop in town, walking distance from my work.
This happened to my 2002 Land Cruiser. Truck has 302,000 miles on the clock. Just replaced timing belt, water pump, all tensioners, fuel pump.
It is in exceptional condition minus my bonehead driving mistake.
My question is this. The body shop has convinced me they will not have to total it out, I made it abuntantly clear I would not be happy if it was totalled, as I could never buy another one in this condition for what insurance would pay out.
They said they located the tail gate and liftgate, and received the parts today. I should have asked more questions, but if the parts are not the factory color of my truck, will they paint the entire parts? Meaning, when I open the gates, will I see a different color in the door jambs, etc? I don't want to be super anal about details, but it is important to me the truck look as original as possible.

Also, the parts they obtained are actually from a 2003 LC. Since mine is a 2002, what is the general opinion on the differences between the 2002 parts and the 2003. I know the 2003 trucks had a facelift, the squirter for the rear wiper is in a different place, and the badging was a little different, should I ask them to badge the new parts with the badging from my wrecked parts?
Sorry that was probably longer than it needed to be, any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks!

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since the parts are used, they are OEM quality. The parts should be painted inside and out and that will solve the color issue. The logos are interchangeable to my knowledge and the 02 emblems will fit right on an 03. You may like the 03 color-keyed "Land Cruiser" logo. They looked very nice so it may be a way to upgrade. The other option is to leave all the logos off for a clean retro look. Either way they should be fine. Just communicate your concerns to the shop and make sure they put color match on the repair order. My experience is that body shop guys are usually "car" guys and will understand your concerns and appreciate your attention to detail if presented respectfully.

RKTINC
 
If they are a good body shop they will paint the entire part. I'm assuming the used lift gate came with glass so they probably won't remove that for paint even though they should. Everything else should be removed though. The cavity inside the tailgate might show the old paint, but this doesn't matter as you never look there. The hardest part of all this is matching the color after 14+ years of fading. Bring a bright flashlight to compare the old and new paint. It will never be the same, but it should be close.
 
Patineto said:
Buy the truck back from the insurance, pocket the money from the repair and find the parts your self and fix it..

Yes it will have a Salvage tittle but who cares..
Click to expand...
Sounds like a great idea, only I do not own a paint booth, nor have the skills to do that particular job my self to factory standards.
 
Once insurance companies estimate hits a certain % ( (edited) 60% for most) they total. One can't just ask for total. Exception to this if estimate close either way, then adjuster may be swayed. If totaled you can request to keep, they then adjust settlement based on salvage value (which is higher than one might think). Since title never changes hands it does not become salvage title in most states. Keep in mind you have the right to take to different body shop.

It's important body shop, and you have the right, it's repair to factory spec. Otherwise next accident they can claim prior damage. I've had where I was not 100% satisfied with job (mar in lens & molding after buffing). Shop said it's insurance grade and insurance will not approve more. I said call them in and I'll meet with all. Claim adjuster look over my vehicle and asked if I always keep so clean, "yes sir". He said I would not normally approve your request, but, it so clean I will.

Your body shop found best available the fastest they could. Would be better to take time and find same color within reasonable distance, but they need to get it done ASAP. Even if this comes from rust belt, you'll be protected for life (if not normal rust for your area). This is provided you use a shop approved by your insurance (they have a list). That said I'd have issue if VIN # shows parts came from rust belt or I found any rust bubbling in paint pre repair inspection.

I looked for 8 months to find a color matching hood (LX pearl white) in my area, finally found it about a week ago. This is one of the most difficult color to paint and will never match, so I was willing to pay extra. I am happy, even thought it has a few dings and rock chip I'll need to work out. :)
 
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Go with your comfort level. Given the amount of money you might save it does not sound like a good idea for you. You may drive it a while and sell and upgrade and a branded title would surely be a PIA come time to sell a 300k+ well maintained vehicle. You will always be able to get above book for it in great order. Dealing with insurance companies when they want to total out they will go with low book value. I spent some time gathering comparisons when I totaled my 01 and went back and forth with my insurance. These vehicles rarely sell at book and finding a great maintained higher mileage rig is not easy. They offered 14k and we ended at 19.5 for mine.

I would speak with my body shop and tell them you want the door stripped of the glass and fully painted. They will do it. Tell them what you want and they will listen. I'm sure they are making out well on the parts and labor.
 
Few more notes: If you dented the body it 's more than just bolting on upper & lower tail gate.

R&R glass could put this over the top, making it a total if your already close.
 
2001LC said:
Few more notes: If you dented the body it 's more than just bolting on upper & lower tail gate.

R&R glass could put this over the top, making it a total if your already close.
Click to expand...

I agree with everything adds cost. That is why it is important to do your homework and find some good examples of rigs similar to yours selling for more than book. They are out there and don't forget to look out of state and include shipping or travel expense. You can raise your total loss value pretty easily and that gives you the room for more repair or a bigger total loss check. If the OP wants it pulled out and painted and it becomes an issue then pay out of pocket for the seal and labor.
 
This body shop is what the insurance company calls a "direct line body shop", which by their definition means they have an associate there at the body shop that actually assesses the damage, and determines whether or not it would be totalled. The adjuster never acutualy sees the damage other than pictures. My insurance company deems 60% of value, and it becomes totalled. As of yesterday Body shop said the damage is 35% of value, so I am in the clear as far as the truck being totalled.
Another question I had, would I be out of line to ask for the damaged parts back? I may be able to use the struts from liftgate, or if the mechanism in the tailgate goes bad later, I may be able to use the parts inside the damaged gates.
 
I'd go with the newer Land Cruiser emblem. Better protection for paint, easier to clean and keeps people guessing as to year.

Doesn't look bad at all, just bolt on parts. Only parts worth keeping are motors (lock & wiper), rubber seals and DS lens by the look of it. They'll reuse your lock.
 
pndavis4 said:
Guys, tangled with the menu/intercom at the drive-in at Sonic. Backed into it, and did some major damage to my tailgate and lift gate. Completely shattered the back glass.
Insurance sent me to a reputable body shop in town, walking distance from my work.
This happened to my 2002 Land Cruiser. Truck has 302,000 miles on the clock. Just replaced timing belt, water pump, all tensioners, fuel pump.
It is in exceptional condition minus my bonehead driving mistake.
My question is this. The body shop has convinced me they will not have to total it out, I made it abuntantly clear I would not be happy if it was totalled, as I could never buy another one in this condition for what insurance would pay out.
They said they located the tail gate and liftgate, and received the parts today. I should have asked more questions, but if the parts are not the factory color of my truck, will they paint the entire parts? Meaning, when I open the gates, will I see a different color in the door jambs, etc? I don't want to be super anal about details, but it is important to me the truck look as original as possible.

Also, the parts they obtained are actually from a 2003 LC. Since mine is a 2002, what is the general opinion on the differences between the 2002 parts and the 2003. I know the 2003 trucks had a facelift, the squirter for the rear wiper is in a different place, and the badging was a little different, should I ask them to badge the new parts with the badging from my wrecked parts?
Sorry that was probably longer than it needed to be, any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks!

View attachment 1356618

View attachment 1356619
Click to expand...
 
Im looking for a replacement for my 2002... Rusted out completely around rear window.... I was told by car-parts.com that the '99-'02 are interchangeable I've narrowed my search to those years for a replacement. Mine is blue also... Hard to find body panels that match... This info may not be valid... second hand.
 
car-part.com has a blue set (upper and lower) in NJ. Upper is listed for $450 and lowers seem to go for $350. I'd bolt those on and put the rest of your claim towards some toys.
 
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