Should this LC-100 be totaled?

[DW Cruiser]

My LC-100 was hit from behind by a Ford minivan. The towbar took a lot of the impact. There's body damage to the tailgate and bumper, and the rear-bottom corners of the rear doors stick out about 1/4 inch when closed. But the thing that worries me most is the frame damage. The attached pic shows the frame near the passenger-side coil spring. On the driver's side, there is similar damage. Should this be a total? I tow a 6,000 lb trailer with this LC, so I need it to be up to specs. I'll be talking to my insurance adjuster in a day or so. Thanks in advance for any opinions.
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~weinthal/Landcruiser frame damage2.jpg

 

[TheFuzz]

Ouch. That's a hard hit. Not a complete loss if you get a good frame shop to work on it, but whether it's worth it to you, and worth it to your insurance company are two completely different things. What year is it? Mileage? Overall condition? Most people would say the following:

If it's a newer vehicle with low mileage and it's in decent shape, have it fixed. If it's an older truck with higher miles, cut your losses and get another one.

In my experience, most insurance companies will try to write you a check and total it the minute they see frame damage - especially cars as rare as LC's, where body panels and other pieces that are in good shape will fetch a premium at auction. If you think the truck is worth keeping, fight for it.

 

[DW Cruiser]

Fuzz. it's an 04 creampuff with just 69K miles. I really want to keep it, but I need it to be OK. If this kind of frame damage is fixable, that would be my best-case scenario.
- DW

 

[TheFuzz]

Sounds like a keeper. Go talk to a couple of good frame shops and get opinions and estimates from them. They will be the best source of knowledge as far as whether or not the damage is fixable and how much it will cost. If they say it can be fixed, have those estimates ready when your adjuster comes out. If he tries to total the car out, give him copies of the estimates and tell him that the car can be fixed, and you want it fixed, end of story. Stand firm on it and they will likely do the repair if the cost is reasonable.

This will all depend on what the frame guys tell you, though. Hopefully the can get it worked out for you.

 

[DW Cruiser]

Adding frame pic here:

 

[Gottagetone]

I'd wait to see what the adjuster says and in the mean time start shopping for LCs for sale close to you to see what's a fair price. This is what the insurance company will do to come up with a $ figure if they do decide to total it. You dont want to deal with the problem over and over only to decide to sell it down the road at a discount because of the damage.

Were you in the Cruiser when it happened? How ya feeling, everyone ok?

 

[Manhattan]

Keep in mind what this incident will do to the future value, e.g. when you go to sell it. The Carfax will show that it was nearly totaled and had frame damage. In my book, that's a tick above a salvage title. If you were shopping for a 100 today, came across your 2004 cream puff but were told it was almost totaled and had frame damage... would you buy it?

I'd rather see this one totaled and start the hunt for another clean one. They're out there.

 

[04UZJ100]

So what did the Ford look like?

 

[bigredmachine]

if they total it buy it back. you can eather fix it or make it a pure trail truck and leave it as is.

 

[Bismarck]

I would push to get it totaled. Make sure that any estimates include OEM parts only -- they will likely write them with aftermarket replacements. As the accident was not your fault, the liable insurance company does not have the right to demand aftermarket replacement parts, as this would be a 3rd party claim (assuming whoever hit your truck has coverage).

As mentioned above, if it is repaired, the truck will definitely take a significant hit on value. If the Carfax shows frame damage, I'd venture a guess it'd be in the 20-30% range, and you'd still have a tough sale on your hands down the road.

As far as buying it back after it's been totaled -- with those miles the salvage value may still be quite high.

Good luck.

 

[hankinid]

I'd suggest visiting with your local Toyota service manager for another data point or 2...would he think it's a total loss or, if not, have him estimate repair charges.

Glad you're OK

Steve

 

[OregonLC]

if they total it buy it back. you can eather fix it or make it a pure trail truck and leave it as is.

^ This. If you could buy it back for a few large and could get it in trail shape for another 2-3 that could be a great deal. Keep in mind that insurance companies have high internal costs with dealing with totals, so they're motivated to let you keep their problem.

 

[pete100]

My take: bent chassis = ditch it. Even if you can get it straightened it'll be much weaker. Grab a paperclip and bend it open and shut, it snaps after maybe 3 times. Thus each bend/straighten cycle remove 30% of the strength. A similar process happens to your vehicle chassis (not 30% but you get the picture) Maybe next time (fingers crossed never) you'll need that 'missing' percentage.
And no-one will ever want to buy it since it's been crashed.
And the crease lines are a target for rust now, even once repainted.

 

[OregonLC]

My take: bent chassis = ditch it. Even if you can get it straightened it'll be much weaker. Grab a paperclip and bend it open and shut, it snaps after maybe 3 times. Thus each bend/straighten cycle remove 30% of the strength. A similar process happens to your vehicle chassis (not 30% but you get the picture) Maybe next time (fingers crossed never) you'll need that 'missing' percentage.
And no-one will ever want to buy it since it's been crashed.
And the crease lines are a target for rust now, even once repainted.

But for a trail rig he can get a shop to weld in some doublers and actually be better off.

What concerns me more is the comment about the rear doors sticking out.

 

[Tahomatom]

I got a 99 that need a front end. let me know if they total it.

 

[DW Cruiser]

My wife and I were in the LC and are both OK. So is the $%#@$&! who hit us. But his airbag popped and he needed a towtruck.

 

[DW Cruiser]

So what did the Ford look like?

Immobilized in a pile of broken glass and a puddle of coolant.

 

[NMuzj100]

Totaled - Let the insurance company sell it to an exporter and get yourself a new to you vehicle. This one has done it's duty.

The rear quarter panels on these trucks are large (largest in production?) and they have to be damaged with the door situation you described.

To all those who see the makings of a good trail beater. If the OP owns a "cream puff" 04 , I doubt he is interested in a beater trail monster.

Can we see a picture of the overall damage? Is the rear quarter glass broken or roof buckled ? There has to be a body crease somewhere.

 

[eleblanc]

That dent in the frame is not a problem, but is the frame un-square now? Will have to be checked by a frame expert.

You say you need it to be "ok", IMO it will never be, it has been involved in a accident. You can get a other one that has never been involved in a accident, so if the insurance total it and you have enough money to get a new one, do it.

 

[sleeoffroad]

I think she is done. Frame with airbags, probably going to total it. Depends on year and what market value is on the truck. 07, then it might be a different story.