I want to attest to the safety of an 80

[NovaFZJ80]

good to hear that family and you are doing fine....let me guess the guy that hit you has no remorse or apologetic about the accident....sorry to hear the LC was totaled, but maybe good thing, since you don't want one rebuilt....

what i start to see more and hate on the roads are these people that use the cell phones in the left lane going slow as molasses...

 

[RavenTai]

New pic's are up
see post #22

 

[PHAEDRUS]

loq,
just glad everyone is ok. as to the total loss offer from the insurance company it is a negotiation. remember you also have the option to retain the salvage on the vehicle. meaning they will pay you the value less the amount of salvage on the vehicle. I did this when I totalled my 91 and sold it for more than the slavage bid from the insurance company was for and it worked well for me. also you could part it out and probably do ok. if you retain remember to facotr tow and storage charges into the equation. I didnt have any of those so watch out for it.
Dave

 

[Cards81fan]

I thought I'd offer some advice as I am a Total Loss Adjuster for a major auto insurance adjuster. (Don't Shoot!!)

Yea, the way that they derive value is not based on NADA, Edmunds, or Kelly BB at all. Most companies (that I know of) use a company call CCC to produse a report on fair market values for that vehicle. CCC is an nation-wide independant 'surveyour' of sorts, that scans advertisements and actual vehicles and records the 'take' price reported by the seller (be it dealer or private party) in ALL market areas in the US. Then the values are slightly adjusted to allow for mileage and feature differences. I can explain in greater depth, but if this is what they use, it is actually extremely accurate. You can also request a copy of the report, or just the valueation number which you can use (along with your insurance claim number) to view your specific report online. I can explain this in greater detail if you all would like, but I'll keep this kinda short for now

If you are using NADA, KBB, and Edmunds as references, then be sure to use the PRIVATE PARTY values, not the 'retail' values listed. If you try to negotiate with the retail values, the adjuster will pay no attention to them. You would have better luck finding similar vehicles in a Truck Trader (within 100 miles unless you live in ID or Montana ) and sending those to your agent. An by similar I mean with REALLY similar features and mileage. Mileage is key, even on vehicles that do well with high mileage like a cruiser.

I know with my employer, we really don't try to low ball anyone; we just offer what similar vehicles are selling for in the area. The problem is that vehicles like the Cruiser are a 'niche' vehicle and are collectible, which inflates what we pay for a 'good vehicle' compared to what the market value is on what most people sell them for.

 

[Cards81fan]

loq,
just glad everyone is ok. as to the total loss offer from the insurance company it is a negotiation. remember you also have the option to retain the salvage on the vehicle. meaning they will pay you the value less the amount of salvage on the vehicle. I did this when I totalled my 91 and sold it for more than the slavage bid from the insurance company was for and it worked well for me. also you could part it out and probably do ok. if you retain remember to facotr tow and storage charges into the equation. I didnt have any of those so watch out for it.
Dave

This is very good advice. It can be a hassle to deal with the vehicle, to be warned. But you really can come out a little better tht way, especially when parting out an 80

Which reminds me.... with a VIN i can salvage quote most vehicles you guys want.
And also look up all kinds of DMV registration and driving records info for the state of CA (that's the state I work, even though I am licensed in all 49 that aren't New York)

just keep it on the d/l or maybe a PM

 

[loquito]

Cards 81 fan
I believe that is the way they adjusted out my truck, the way you talked about. When I bought the truck the bank said high value was only $7000.00. I didn't care becouse I wanted one and I wouldn't have sold her for twice that. To me she was first year new body style which made her worth more, at least to me. Kind of like getting your hands on a 70 rs/ss when the body style first changed. I liked my wifes truck.

The agent said everything was in like new shape, tires paint etc. That brought the value up to $7300. the 1600 in reciepts gave me another grand in value. And don't worry about me Shooting, as far as I am concerned I know I pay for this insurance, But the wrong partys are haveing to pay out alot of money for someone elses F up.

Raven tai
you made a pic ture tittle and commented that the f150 came out much worse in you opinion. I was wondering what some others thought. My father inlaw says it is just becouse the ford has crush zones, he says there are holes in the frame just to obsorb the force and that is why his looks so much worse.

I have spent hours under my wifes 90 bronco and have never noticed any holes or ? I've spent plenty of time under my Tacoma which like the ford both are 95's ? I lay most praise in the truck. My family figuratively walked away from the accident I believe becouse of this truck. I believe that the engine would have restarted and taken us home if that had been needed. My truck was still leak free after the accident

My wifes bronco is a XLT, fords luxury version, My wifes 91 TLC was Toyota's Luxury vehicle. There is just as much differance in quality fit and finish between these two as there is in the way they take a crash.
S

 

[PaLCruiser]

Liquito,
I'm Very glad to hear that you all are doing well. Please remember that even if it doesnt show up now, it might later. Example is when my mother had her accident and part of her body flew into the back area of the car while she was still straped in. She ached from pulled muscles and such. 3 years after her spine started to curve from the result of the accident. results from compresed disc's and such. Now she has an erector set in her back to keep it straight.
I'm just saying you dont know what lies down the road, so Go for what you can now!
I myself have a 91 LC and i'm going to rub its belly for you too! Good luck and God bless

 

[RavenTai]

Raven tai
you made a pic ture tittle and commented that the f150 came out much worse in you opinion. I was wondering what some others thought. My father inlaw says it is just becouse the ford has crush zones, he says there are holes in the frame just to obsorb the force and that is why his looks so much worse.

the Ford may have crumple zones, I don’t know, and if so that may explain why the front is pushed in so far in but what about the bed and cab that no longer align? And the driver’s side door that no longer closes straight? The cab of the ford has damage and if it was going faster would have started to close in on the occupants, also the "crumple zone" in the front is starting to fall apart the body sheered off the frame and fenders are popping loose the bumper is severed, a crumple zone is only helpful if it holds together

In comparison all the damage to the 80 is in the front end and that is less extensive all parts are present and still connected

 

[PDoyle]

Yes, go to the doctor! And go again in a week or so. And get and keep ALL the paper work. You may need it in the future.
Good to hear the family is ok, you can always get another Cruiser.

 

[whodat]

loquito,

Are you going to try to buff it out?

jokes aside, glad everyone is ok. And thx for the pix.

whodat

 

[landtank]

Just got around to reading this post and am glad everyone is coming out of it well.

As Far as the Father-in-law goes, tell him to shut up. The F-150 has a solid frame under there, not much to crumple. It's all twisted up because the frame is bent and the cab is just twisted up. A crumple zone is common on new cars. On a front impact the nose will crumple in and the engine/tranny get deflected down under the vehicle to avoid entering the passenger compartment.

The key to walking away from an accident is to not allow any intrusion into the cab and to not sustain any internal injuries. The trucks construction did it's part by twarting the advaces of the F-150 and you did your part by making everyone wear seat belts.

Good choice on the vehicle you drive and great job on protecting the family within!

 

[thorvald]

make sure you get another cruiser

 

[basalt51]

I'm pretty sure this thread has helped me convince my wife to get an 80. She wanted a 4runner or something more fuel efficient. Glad you are all doing better.

When it comes to safety Ford is not a forerunner (hmm, no pun intended there). Check out the link CDN_Cruiser posted on the offset frontal impact test for 1997 ford F150. Even in the '97 Ford pickup the "crumple zone" was the passenger compartment. Not good. Thats why I will never buy a Ford pickup.

Cards81fan - thanks for all the great info. Insurance companies are a mystery to most of us. It's nice to get the real scoop from the inside, especially since it sounds like you're unbiased and giving the facts. I may be contacting you very soon

 

[loquito]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their advise and well wishes. The family is healing, the fight continues with the drugged up driver. and I've looked at three cruisers so far. Boy are we lacking up here.
I've been looking out of state now, mostly west coast, hopefully by tax return I'll be better ready to search. For all those that offered to look at local cruisers for me, THANKS.

I wish we had a cruiser assistance list on the board for folks willing to look in their local market. I know I am no expert, and no one would be looking for one up here from down in America. But if someone was I could tell them the dozen or so problems with the rig at Ney Toyota and it would sure save them time and money.

The folks on this list weather one or 5 know more about and what to look for on a rig than probubly any salesman. I always get a kick out of the adds that list V8, or air bags and anti lock on 91's etc.

Baring finding a cool one with lockers I am still longing for my easy to work on ly 3FE in the 91. 3FE powa
Thanks everone
S

 

[Romer]

If you find one in the Denver area, I would be happy to look. I bought mine in Texas and Texican referred me to a great person in his club. Find something your interested and post it and I am sure somebody here would go looki at it for you. Texas, NM and Arizona are great places due to the lack of rust.

Ken

 

[loquito]

Thanks Romer
I am actively looking.
S

 

[PaLCruiser]

Well loquito,
I was just rear ended last night 10-30-04 by the pappa johns driver. It wasnt his fault, the drunk lady behind him didnt see that we was stopped do to the lady cop in front of me was stopped. He was driveing a Honda and it didnt fair to well. His car is total'd. My rear bumper has a small dint on the left side and it moved maybe a quater inch. I think my tow hitch that sticks out helped. Cop ask me if I was invovled. I said "yeah he hit me from behind" Cop looked at my bumper and said "What a tank" Funny thing is the kid said he was reading the Landcruser emblem on the back of the hatch and was thinking he wouldnt mind having a landcruiser then "WHAM!" Now he wants one. I gave him a ride back to pappa johns afterwards. Nice kid.
O... The woman, She tried to drive around us but when she seen the cop car she stopped next to me. At that point I wasnt aware that she was involved. She got out and asked if the kid, my boy and I was ok. We said yeah. Apparently she must have gotten back in her car and took off. She was wasted. The female cop wasnt even out of her car yet when she split. Anyways Thaught I would let you know. I was always told things happen in three's. So who's next?

 

[PHAEDRUS]

loquito,
youve got a source in the far upper left hand corner of the states if you need it.
Dave

 

[landtank]

Got rear ended a while back and the guy totalled his Escort. Same here with just a scuff mark on the Kaymar. While telling my friend about the accident he started to laugh and said "the poor bastard hit an anvil with wheels", I thought that was pretty funny and accurate.

 

[loquito]

Hey Dave thanks for the offer
At the moment I am looking over a 94 here, Are you anywhere near Washington DC? Thats one of the family dream trips.
Palcruiser
I am very happy to hear your boy and yourself are Okay, Oh also that you can buff out the damage
Ive already had my three, Lake front cabin broken into and vandalized, Blown up ford 302, Broken ankle, Messed up family and dead rig, all in last 7 months. I know I am fortunate, but I am tired.
Palcruiser did they catch the lady?
S