BritKLR's 60 Versus Mini Van

[AdventureToolCompany]

Farmers Insurance came out to my place after some guy decided to attempt to steal my catalytic converter a couple years ago. Literally made 1 and a half cuts in my exhaust before presumably being spooked. The adjuster originally thought it could very well be totalled! He said he would have to look at recent sales in the area to determine true value....

The only sale they had on record was $8000 and I suggested that totalling it seemed like a great idea then (and ofcourse I would buy it back).... All said and done, got a check for about $1100! Essentially they wanted to replace the whole exhaust and that worked for me

The theif did get away with my neighbor's and now ex-gf's cats in the process (bopth 4runners). Apparently too much rust got in his eyes when he crawled under mine.

I would also recommend getting the motor mounts checked btw, some drunk idiot nailed my dd and one of them tore open from the sudden impact.


Glad to see your truck is going to get fixed and no one got hurt. Its one of the nicest ones on here.

Thanks for the Motor Mount feedback. I'll have them checked.

BTW, if you've ever wondered why body shops are so darned expensive, this is why:

Body Shop Estimatenote: there are 24 items quoted for repair, it was Item #15 that got my attention. The steering gear box)

Item #15: Steering Gear Assembly from 4/86 - Replace -
Part cost - $2771.88
Labor cost - $133.00

The gear box is leaking due to the crash, so apparently to replace will cost $2904.88!

WOW

 

[jfnall]

the gear box fix is a piece of cake. I got mine rebuilt for $250. Good catch on their part though!

Check the transfer case really well. I know Matt60 was smacked from the rear (while sitting parked) and his transfer case required a rebuild.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

the gear box fix is a piece of cake. I got mine rebuilt for $250. Good catch on their part though!

Check the transfer case really well. I know Matt60 was smacked from the rear (while sitting parked) and his transfer case required a rebuild.

Thanks.

I have several more body shops to check today.

 

[jfnall]

I've never been in this situation, but is it possible to get some compensation for the personal time spent dealing with all the running to get the estimates, and time lost from work, etc? Anybody got anything to throw in on that line of thought with the insurance?

 

[mwalls54]

Thanks for the Motor Mount feedback. I'll have them checked.

BTW, if you've ever wondered why body shops are so darned expensive, this is why:

Body Shop Estimatenote: there are 24 items quoted for repair, it was Item #15 that got my attention. The steering gear box)

Item #15: Steering Gear Assembly from 4/86 - Replace -
Part cost - $2771.88
Labor cost - $133.00

The gear box is leaking due to the crash, so apparently to replace will cost $2904.88!

WOW

Thats probably full retail from the dealer plus 10% mark up from the shop. I sent you a pm with some info on boxes.

 

[mwalls54]

I've never been in this situation, but is it possible to get some compensation for the personal time spent dealing with all the running to get the estimates, and time lost from work, etc? Anybody got anything to throw in on that line of thought with the insurance?

Yep as long as you can prove it.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Thats probably full retail from the dealer plus 10% mark up from the shop. I sent you a pm with some info on boxes.

Matt-

Thanks for the info.

PM'd you back.

 

[Bomar]

any up dates....i see you got a 8274-50 so I guess you are getting a winch bumper.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

any up dates....i see you got a 8274-50 so I guess you are getting a winch bumper.

Thanks for checking.

Yes...the insurance company has admitted fault and have made their initial offer, which includes the ARB replacement, but I have planned some upgrades at my own expense (8274-50)

But, their initial offer is only 1/4 of the estimates I've received from the Toyota body shops.

So, I'm in the process of comparing their estimate, line by line, with Toyota's estimate and will corresponding back with them for a counter offer.

I was advised by the body shop manager that this insurance company is very well known in the industry for "low balling" their offers and making every effort to move people to their "preferred repair facilities" to control cost, repair down time and claim settlement time.

I'll update once I have more.

Thanks.

 

[Bomar]

sounds like a plan.....i hope they make it right.

you have a beautiful truck.

 

[kling-on]

Mine didn't have frame damage so I just got em to average the quotes ... And I keeped the cash and plan a total repaint

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

That brings up a good question.

How much do you charge for your own time?

What I mean is, since I'll order the ARB, remove my old ARB, pick up the new ARB, install the new ARB with all attachments the insurance company doesn't need to pay a body shop the going rate, so they end up saving money. This also applies to incidental accessories that I will replace.

Since I wrench on my own truck, I'd prefer to do alot of this smaller stuff. I also want the insurance company to recognize the benefit/savings to them, but not use it against me during the negotiations.....Any suggestions/experiences?

 

[kling-on]

I would get the quote for the body shop to do all that other wise your SOL .. My quote had 2.5 hours to RR the rear bumpers for re paint

 

[MANUCHAO]

I also want the insurance company to recognize the benefit/savings to them, but not use it against me during the negotiations.....Any suggestions/experiences?

That is very noble of yah but my suggestion is DONT BOTHER....
If you have one person already telling yah this insurance low balls estimates then why even try saving them any $$.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Update

Well some great news...

After some negotiations with the insurance company I finally took my 60 to the Toyota body shop and put it up on a frame machine and the frame is straight!! I have to say that was my biggest worry, but a combination of the ARB and how well built these things are it didn't tweak the frame. Now, they're in the process of repairing the panels and paint, but we're still disagreeing about some of the small things and I anticipate it'll work out in the end.

I have several lessons learned in this process and will write them-up at a latter point, but one that I found interesting is that this generation of insurance claims adjusters (ages 21-25 +/-) have no clue about a vehicle older then a 2000 Honda.... in other words if your not lucky enough to get a claims adjuster thats been around awhile and understands these old trucks then you'll end up
going from new kid to new kid and having to constantly remind them that it's not a "Land Rover, Range Cruiser or Jeep" and that it has a "frame" and isn't a unibody Jeep Cherokee (because they've fixed a ton of those). Anyway, more to come.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

That is very noble of yah but my suggestion is DONT BOTHER....
If you have one person already telling yah this insurance low balls estimates then why even try saving them any $$.

Manuchao -

Your ABSOLUTELY correct! They don't care and frankly don't want to hear about it or have no clue what your talking about. They simply want to get your case off their desk and move on to the next case.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Update -

The "Rhino Ride" is out of the Toyota body/paint shop and into the Toyota shop to get some of the mechanical parts checked out. So far I'm pleased with the paint / body work Toyota did. While it was in the shop it received a great deal of attention since they hadn't worked on a 60 in years. It was parked inside with the dealerships owners 69 Z-28 show car before, during and after the repairs because the shop manager didn't want it sitting outside...that made me happy!

I'm still not content with windshield repair and the replacement of the bumper components by the Insurance company, so we're still negotiating those items.

I can't stress it enough....document, document, document all conversations with the Insurance Adjusters, Body Shop and Repair facilities. It's clear that many of the them are simply over worked and forget to follow through with verbal promises made, but I also get a sense that with the Ins. Company it's a standard "business practice" to constantly/conveniently "forget" statements and promises made and then not follow through. This becomes a real issue when they constantly pass you onto another Claims Adjuster or Manager. This can also become a $$ issue, since the sub-contractors (Mechanics, glass repair, pin strippers, car rental agency, Towing company, etc...) will require payment before releasing the vehicle and if the insurance company hasn't authorized payment they'll expect it from you! It can become very frustrating if not kept in order.

On the good side, my new ARB has arrived and am looking forward to installing it once I have it back.

To be continued....

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Another one

 

[kling-on]

lookin good they repaintd the whole hood or a fad match ??

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

lookin good they repaintd the whole hood or a fad match ??

It's the original hood, but due to the glass damage on the hood (from the van's side window) they choose to re-paint the entire hood. They also had to repair the leading edge that got dinged.