She’s Cherry 🍒 …& the Project Snowball❄️ avalanche (2 Viewers)

[Hojack]

I’ve disappeared awhile as life literally has been sideways lately. Last year was my toughest year ever with a marital separation and my mom getting stage 4 cancer and passing away in 3 weeks. Served divorce papers just after Christmas. In January gave away my house keys. Got in Project Snowball and leave to work. My mind was in deep distress, not paying attention when I hit black ice around a corner and spun around backwards and went a few hundred feet down the road before going off the road and rolling over. It was a fast but slow motion experience. I don’t even really remember climbing out the passenger door but last I remember was laying on my side looking at Project Snowball.
I had lost so much all at once. I was at that point ready to die… but I didn’t… God had more in store in my life. I still didn’t really know if it was all just a bad dream. But there I was laying on the frozen hard ground with the only thing I had left. If there was a time to leave this world it was then.

I was sent by ambulance to OHSU in Portland. My wife and kids came. My kids showed lots of concern but my wife was just there, but just empty. It was like she was just a shell and emotionless. After being at the hospital all day I was checked out and allowed to leave that evening. I’d really hoped that this rollover would have been a pivotal moment in the divorce and my wife would consider reconciliation. But that wasn’t an option, this changed nothing in her decision. I was really sore but nothing broken except my heart. Now I don’t know if any of ya know the Bible but those that do know the Book of Job. He lost everything but in all his loss he never blamed or got mad at God. This past year has had a lot of heartache but been able to endure many hardships and difficulties I’d never thought possible. It’s amazing how these trials and hardships have come. They have come in a unique way. Each tragic event built upon the one before it. In the effort to destroy me I found as I endured it only strengthened me. After losing Snowball I knew I’d be alright. Well I finally got the courage to write just a fraction of my story the past year. Project Snowball sat under a tarp as I dealt with insurance.

I really can’t believe how both doors survived and open and close just fine.
@boots4 came over when I was finally ready to start Snowball. We got the 4BT started and it was like part of me was alive again. However there was a dilemma. My attorney thought it’d be best to get another vehicle at this time. So I started looking for another Landcruiser. Found this one I’d thought was in Phoenix, Arizona but was actually in Phoenix, Oregon. Friday I took the 12.5 hr round trip to head there, test drive and return home. Well I am excited to have a Landcruiser again. Looking forward to some exploring with her. She’s Cherry .

 

[Thechief86]

Ohhh man. That thing is gorgeous but I've been following snowball for a few years now....

 

[zeeklafreek]

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[NookShneer]

Subscribed for the Freeborn Hotness

 

[cruisermatt]

That truck was a good deal. I was highly considering picking it up

 

[Hojack]

View attachment 3884507

Subscribed for the Freeborn Hotness

Shawing

 

[NookShneer]

That truck was a good deal. I was highly considering picking it up

You already have a Freeborn 62..

 

[boots4]

Good for you Jason to share your story, that takes courage. It's been quite a ride and while I know there are still steps to be taken I'm so impressed with how you have dealt with all of this opposition. The second part of the story of Job records all the blessings he then received from going through those trials and I'm excited to see that part of the story happen for you.

After we double checked to make sure there wasn't any fluids stuck in the cylinders from being on its side, that darn little cummins came right to life and purred like a kitten. The batteries still had enough to fire her up. After a general look over at all things mechanical Jason then drove it around the yard and I could see the wheels in his brain turning on how he wanted to get Snowball back on the road. With the structural damage to that rear pillar along with the roof damage I've been telling him to get another body and swap it over. But with everything going on and this Cherry popping up, now he has a second rig to get out into nature while the direction of Snowball can be determined. I doubt Jason will get rid of Snowball so we'll see what he ends up deciding.

 

[Thechief86]

Holy crap, Jason! I knew I hadn't seen much activity from you lately. I'm very glad you're ok. The cruiser can be fixed or replaced and scavenged for parts, as sad as it is. I'm glad you got another one! I know if/when something like this happens to my 60, it will be devastating, but I'll still have a great drivetrain to make something else cool with.
The book of Job is arguably the most important section of the Bible for guys being put through the wringer. It's saved me during hard times more than once.

 

[TRDdrew]

Dang Jason, I was hoping for better news or a crater lake update . I've been following snowball for a long time and I know it will live on in one way or another. I'm really sorry to hear about everything you've been though and glad your ok from the accident. Excited to see what's in store for the beautiful new cruiser

Life has a way of testing you in truly painful ways, each test breaks you down but makes you stronger at the same time. Keep pushing forward!

I'm sure I can speak for many of us when I say, we appreciate and thank you for sharing your story

 

[cruisermatt]

Man, the pictures must not have loaded the first time I opened this thread, just now seeing the flop. That sucks man.
On the bright side. It does look like you can just put a body on and axles, chassis, powertrain are all probably fine? you're in the right part of the country to get a clean body shell too. Or get a rougher one and then come out to some TLCA events.

 

[Hojack]

My first trip I’m planning to head with my buddy Matt from Prineville, Oregon in his 80s series to our Morel mushroom picking hotspot for a campout. Going to get my rooftop tent cleaned up and installed on Cherry . I am sooooooo thankful my rooftop tent survived.

The tow truck driver gal just had them throw it upside down onto the tow truck. Tops dirty fiberglass but hope to clean er’ right up. If anything it’s another reminder of January 16, 2025. The turning point day in my life.

 

[Hojack]

Man, the pictures must not have loaded the first time I opened this thread, just now seeing the flop. That sucks man.
On the bright side. It does look like you can just put a body on and axles, chassis, powertrain are all probably fine? you're in the right part of the country to get a clean body shell too. Or get a rougher one and then come out to some TLCA events.

My buddy Jeremy who did the 4BT swap in Project Snowball got me into touch with a body shop. The guy, named Matt, came out and said he could repair Snowball. At this time in my divorce my lawyer said to just let her sit and get a drivable vehicle. With Cherry being automatic it may be a great vehicle for my daughter or son in the future… IDK.
For those dads out their how many have experienced Parental Alienation from their kids, this has been harder than the divorce.

 

[The Phoenician]

Brother, I'm glad you're OK. Though it's a shame about Snowball, the next version will be better and not just cause it's red . I bet Snowball can be one sexy convertible.

About 19 years ago, I went from being part of the tip of the spear to the shaft of it in a literal flash. I lost most of my ability in my right hand and other parts. The injuries and depression cascaded to the rest of my life and I lost my first wife, and whatever else I had at the time, my son wasn't yet born, but she was pregnant with him.

Looking back, I have no regrets as it was just a bump in the road. I'm in a much happier place, living life to the fullest and loving every minute of it. There's a plan, you just have to keep pushing forward. Much of my happiness is derived from this forum and the exchanges I've had with like minded guys like yourself. Please feel free to reach out for anything.

I can't wait to see what you do with the new Cruiser.

Mike.

 

[ThreeEyedBandit]

Glad to see your excited for the next chapter, and to follow ol red! Going ro be nice seeing it drive more than a tank of fuel in a year..

Great to meet you, and can't wait to do a run with the white cruisers when you figure out Snowballs next step.

~Matt

 

[WartHog73]

Never met but have read your thread and shocked to see what happened. So glad you are OK. Hope you continue to recover well. I think you are right, the issue with the kids is the hardest, but as you and they all continue on your journeys, you will (re)connect with them.

 

[Hojack]

Washed Cherry for the first time yesterday. I also got new towers from Bajarack yesterday as my original ones bent in my roll over I. January. The rack survived without any damage as did my rooftop tent. Yesterday took it for its first drive after getting DMV done and getting insurance. So nice to be back behind the wheel of a Landcruiser.

 

[The Phoenician]

My unbiased opinion is red is the best color

 

[Hojack]

Really strange going through my pictures last night and saw these pics when I went to Tennessee in early December before my roll over in Snowball little did I know..: months later I’d find Cherry .

 

[Hojack]

In Snowball news…

Safeco’s appraisal of Project Snowball .
I did not agree to this value, the comps were nothing comparable. They rushed to get this settled. My agent sent me this,
APPRAISAL
A. If we and you do not agree on the amount of loss, then an appraisal of the loss may be made. However, both parties must agree to appraisal and to be bound by results of that appraisal. In this event, each party will select a competent appraiser. The two appraisers will select an umpire. The appraisers will state separately the actual cash value and the amount of loss. If they fail to agree, they will submit their differences to the umpire. A decision agreed to by any two will be binding.
Each party will: 1. Pay its chosen appraiser; and 2. Bear the expenses of the appraisal and umpire equally. However, we will reimburse you for the reasonable appraisal costs if the final appraisal decision is greater than the amount of our last offer prior to incurring appraisal costs.
B. We do not waive any of our rights under this policy by agreeing to an appraisal
and decided to hire a 3rd party appraiser.

So I hired Ken Nix at Leverage Auto Appraisals. I paid $750 to him. This was a long drawn out process… taking months… I thought it was a scam. But each time I called he assured me he was getting the highest value he could on Project Snowball . He was having a difficult time dealing with Safeco’s appraisers. He said the company they chose does hundreds of appraisals a month vs him who does 15-30. He used Bring A Trailer to do his research and put Snowball in the $30-$40,000 range. Safeco was in the $19,000-$22,000 range. They were slowly working towards one another. Well after months Ken asked me what I was good with as they were looking like they’d need to go to an umpire. He asked if I’d be willing to take $24,000. We yesterday I got an email confirming $24,000. Also because this second appraisal is higher than Safeco’s first appraisal, I get the $750 back from Safeco.

So know I am wondering about what to do. Safeco estimated the value of Snowball low to avoid repairing the vehicle which they estimated at $22,572.28.

I chose to retain my Landcruiser right away and thankfully it was taken directly to my dads vs a holding yard. They sent me a $14,091.10 choosing to retain the vehicle. I told my agent this was unacceptable and she then gave me the option for the 3rd party appraisal.
Well now that I got $24,000 value and they sent a lower cost for repair $22,572.28 I feel that Safeco repairs my Landcruiser since value has been deemed higher than the cost to repair. As it stand now I have a damaged vehicle and lost $4,000 choosing to retain the vehicle in the time being waiting for this 3rd party appraisal. I have talked to an attorney who deals with this and because the value was higher than estimated repairs he said Safeco should have the vehicle repaired.
Anyhow this is a first for me and not sure if anybody has more information on this. I have learned a lot.