killed another 80

[slow95z]

well some diabetic blacked out yesterday and took out my 80, the suv behind me and then went on to hit a building. at first i thought it was just some body damage and a wheel but when we looked more i am afraid this one is done for. second 80 in less than 12 months... i have crap luck. the entire axle is pushed over 3/4 of an inch and the rear frame rail is slightly bent.

so how do i go about this. lift, tires and lots of little mods. only 2 other LXs near me are listed at 8500 and 9550 so i am going to tell them to start in that range and add in the cost of the lift and tires, does that sound about right?

 

[bmwjnky]

I'd reinflate the tire or replace it and take it to a frame shop to see what is bent. It might just need control arms or a panhard rod.

 

[slow95z]

I'd reinflate the tire or replace it and take it to a frame shop to see what is bent. It might just need control arms or a panhard rod.

sadly i cannot do anything right now. i was not at fault so the insurance is taking care of things. i know for sure the control arms and panhard are busted as well as something inside the axle. i would guess wheel bearing or diff as it is making all kinds of noise. the axle was pouring fluid out as it sat so the seal is shot, i am sure the housing is bent. it was one hell of a hit. pushed the body into the filler neck and i know how bad that is to replace... the pics dont do it justice.

 

[toyotaspeed90]

You have the right to do whatever you want with the truck and can choose any shop (or none, and they pay you out) you want to do the work. They have no right to keep the truck or say you are required to pay fees, or say you will get a reduced amount if you don't use their recommended places.

If their insurance starts to be difficult, contact your agent so that they can handle things for you.

Unfortunately unless you have aftermarket parts as part of your insurance, you'll be SOL to recoup those costs from another insurer. What you can do, though, is if they total then accept an offer with a stipulation that you are able to retrieve your valuable parts they are not compensating for....

 

[DocuDude]

80s are like The Goonies.
They never die.
You'll either get her going again, or give transplants to other cruisers.
Good luck, and don't let big insurance companies pressure you.
Neither theirs nor yours have your interests at heart.

 

[Brentbba]

I'd disagree with being SOL on recouping aftermarket parts costs damaged. Makes no difference if his own insurance doesn't cover. Not being at fault, the other insurance carrier should cover any parts on the truck damaged with proof of cost. I've got a Kaymar rear bumper and was rear ended. Tire carrier was bent and it dented the rear hatch. Insurance of the party responsible covered cost of replacing the tire carrier and repair of the hatch w/o question. Certainly tire carrier is not an OEM part. All I had to do was give them the URL to MAF that was selling it at the time for cost to replace as it wasn't repairable.

Given the damage described, the tweaked rear cross member pictured and age of the 80's, this is probably a total write off IMHO. Best to begin documenting replacement truck costs in your area and cost of any aftermarket part you can't salvage from your truck that have been damaged.

Good luck!!!

 

[Shawn S]

When their client is at fault they're responsible for repairing your vehicle to in as good of condition before the accident. Regardless of it being OEM or aftermarket parts used.

 

[SmokingRocks]

A ding in the rear cross member, a bent or broken panhard bar, a broken steelies and a dent? Am I missing something here?

I mean I'll buy it from you for 200 bucks since it's completely done for!

 

[slow95z]

A ding in the rear cross member, a bent or broken panhard bar, a broken steelies and a dent? Am I missing something here?

I mean I'll buy it from you for 200 bucks since it's completely done for!

5 other 80s in the yard and 2 need engines so good luck there man i am worried about it being a total loss and then dealing with the buy back since it is hell here. they want you to go to auction. i want to keep it either as is or for parts.

 

[toyotaspeed90]

I'd disagree with being SOL on recouping aftermarket parts costs damaged. Makes no difference if his own insurance doesn't cover. Not being at fault, the other insurance carrier should cover any parts on the truck damaged with proof of cost. I've got a Kaymar rear bumper and was rear ended. Tire carrier was bent and it dented the rear hatch. Insurance of the party responsible covered cost of replacing the tire carrier and repair of the hatch w/o question. Certainly tire carrier is not an OEM part. All I had to do was give them the URL to MAF that was selling it at the time for cost to replace as it wasn't repairable.

Given the damage described, the tweaked rear cross member pictured and age of the 80's, this is probably a total write off IMHO. Best to begin documenting replacement truck costs in your area and cost of any aftermarket part you can't salvage from your truck that have been damaged.

Good luck!!!

I wouldn't disagree in that situation, but if your vehicle had been totalled, they would have made a total value of the vehicle. It's not the value of the vehicle plus your parts.

It will be far more difficult to say that a used prime example is $9,500, and you have an additional $3,000 in parts/labor into the vehicle - so they need to pay you $12,500. They will say a prime example (or one in like condition) is $9,500, with maybe a little wiggle room.

 

[jtwopark]

insurance companies just plain suck! they are like vultures.....every single one of them!

 

[n00g7]

I wouldn't disagree in that situation, but if your vehicle had been totalled, they would have made a total value of the vehicle. It's not the value of the vehicle plus your parts.

It will be far more difficult to say that a used prime example is $9,500, and you have an additional $3,000 in parts/labor into the vehicle - so they need to pay you $12,500. They will say a prime example (or one in like condition) is $9,500, with maybe a little wiggle room.

Sort of.

Mine was totaled, I listed EVERYTHING. I got a percentage of cost for aftermarket parts and bought back for $150 ish. Took it from $5000ish to over $8000. I didn't even list the exact parts, and they didn't check. Old warn winch... brand new cost of a 12k. Lift, picked the most expensive one on Slee's page. Went through PO's maintenance records and listed all that crap too.

 

[retrofive]

Sort of.

Mine was totaled, I listed EVERYTHING. I got a percentage of cost for aftermarket parts and bought back for $150 ish. Took it from $5000ish to over $8000. I didn't even list the exact parts, and they didn't check. Old warn winch... brand new cost of a 12k. Lift, picked the most expensive one on Slee's page. Went through PO's maintenance records and listed all that crap too.

So insurance fraud on a public site. Nice.

 

[n00g7]

So insurance fraud on a public site. Nice.

Bought it 3 hours prior. Still got less than I paid, couldn't care less, honestly. Would have been in the hospital at minimum if I was driving any of my other vehicles because of their idiotic insured. $8500's is a lot cheaper than medical bills and a Lexus IS or Rubicon TJ.

 

[Brentbba]

All you can do is list all the aftermarket parts on the truck and provide evidence as to the their cost to replace as well as documentation on value of similar age/mileage trucks in your area so you don't get screwed on the value of the truck itself.

Good Luck!

 

[jamesurq]

Right now, the insurance's biggest concern is that you lawyer up and have soft tissue damage. The cost of your totaled vehicle at 8k or 12k or even 15k is probably the last thing they care about. They're hoping you don't sue for pain and suffering.

Watch how quickly they come to the table with a reasonable offer and ask you to sign off on any further claims...

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

You're not allowed to buy any more 80 series cruisers, you're single handedly thinning the already thinned heard Lol! Go buy a Jeep, lord knows we need more of them off the road Lol! Seriously though, that is some real crap luck. On the up side, 80's over here usually go for $2500-6000 quite frequently. If you decided to get another instead of rehabbing your stockpile of cruisers and you found one over here in Oregon to buy, I'd be willing to pick you up from the airport and drive you to it.

 

[Howard705]

Maybe make a stop at the ER for a couple MRIs first??

Right now, the insurance's biggest concern is that you lawyer up and have soft tissue damage. The cost of your totaled vehicle at 8k or 12k or even 15k is probably the last thing they care about. They're hoping you don't sue for pain and suffering.

Watch how quickly they come to the table with a reasonable offer and ask you to sign off on any further claims...

 

[jamesurq]

Yeah - the problem with soft tissue damage is you feel fine now, and even an MRI could come back with no problems. 2-3 weeks later even, you might have back or neck pain.

Good luck - but worry about yourself first not the car.

 

[jvazquez53]

You can always build one of these...