Moving forward after engine fire (1 Viewer)

[Jgrauman]

Looking for opinions from others who love these trucks. Met with the adjuster today he's asked me to come up with some comps. Have found multiple white 80s stock and built to send back to them. He said he wanted me to be happy with the decision that was made. At this point I'm going to keep it no matter what. Too much money in gears/lockers, wheels tires, bumpers, sliders, suspension, drive shafts to let it go to the salvage yard. Probably going to try and sell it as a whole first for someone wanting to swap everything over. This has been a southern truck its whole life and has zero rust. I have a buddy already wanting my axles and gears, but as of right now not sure pulling it apart is the best option. The fire was contained to the engine mostly at the battery, but the heat melted everything plastic on the engine. SMH...

 

[BILT4ME]

Calling @slow95z for opinions and advice on replacement parts for him.

 

[GSTMike]

Such a crappy situation, any idea of what might have caused it?

 

[Jgrauman]

I cannot figure it out. It started at the battery for sure. Thought maybe the starter connection broke and grounded to the block but there is still insulation on the starter cable and it's attached. All insulation is melted from the battery moving outward, fuse panel is completely melted. To me it looks like what would happen if the battery terminals were arched, but I installed a new battery hold down that divides the terminals like Phil's and it was all intact with no arching. The battery was 3 months old. Never heard of one just melting down before, but who knows.
I can't rebuild this thing, I don't have the time, 4 small kids keep us very busy.

 

[steveLX450]

starter contacts stuck causing high amp draw

 

[Jgrauman]

starter contacts stuck causing high amp draw

Wouldn't I have heard that?

 

[Technician1985]

Shouldn’t the started contacts getting stuck cause the fusible link to blow?

 

[White Stripe]

I would buy a rusted out rig from ohio or somewhere like that and just swap harnesses and plastic parts and part out whats left of the rusty one or sell whats left as whole. Pretty straight forward work to swap harnesses and stuff.

 

[BILT4ME]

Shouldn’t the started contacts getting stuck cause the fusible link to blow?

Nope. The fusible links protect the rest of the truck from shorts.

The power to the starter is direct to the battery and must have a large amp draw. Unfortunately, if the contact short out, it is a direct short to ground with high amperage. In a matter minutes, the cables are glowing and the plastic stuff around them are melting.

If it is a lead acid type battery, there will be a large amount of hydrogen released and can ignite if an arc presents itself. Otherwise, the plastic can start to burn and things get ugly fast until something loses connection and stops the arc or the direct short.

 

[LOOKman]

I'd be interested in what you'd be willing to part with. I'm in Birmingham, AL and able to pick up items.
Currently looking for sliders, roof rack, bumpers, etc...

 

[slow95z]

If you go to sell whole message me, I might be interested.

 

[Technician1985]

Nope. The fusible links protect the rest of the truck from shorts.

The power to the starter is direct to the battery and must have a large amp draw. Unfortunately, if the contact short out, it is a direct short to ground with high amperage. In a matter minutes, the cables are glowing and the plastic stuff around them are melting.

If it is a lead acid type battery, there will be a large amount of hydrogen released and can ignite if an arc presents itself. Otherwise, the plastic can start to burn and things get ugly fast until something loses connection and stops the arc or the direct short.

Oh yeah that’s right I forgot about that.

 

[Jgrauman]

I would buy a rusted out rig from ohio or somewhere like that and just swap harnesses and plastic parts and part out whats left of the rusty one or sell whats left as whole. Pretty straight forward work to swap harnesses and stuff.

I'll take a pic for reference later. Much more than swapping harnesses and stuff. Taking engine and everything from the back of the headlights to the front of the firewall is done. It was extremely hot under that hood for a while

 

[ppc]

What brand and type of battery did you install three months ago?

 

[Jgrauman]

What brand and type of battery did you install three months ago?

 

[Jgrauman]

Here you go

 

[ppc]

A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[GSTMike]

That actually hurts me to look at!

 

[Heckraiser]

my condolences.

 

[bicycleagent003]

That is really crappy. I would be so bummed, as I'm sure you are. I'm sorry for your loss, man.