Milford had a big thing a few years back because their products were affecting the Side air bags. Jon I created my own feathers for the booster seat I use because it did not come with anchors; your drawer system (ARB???) looks secure I think that would be best anchor attachment
Same sentiments as all, but now I'm going to be selfish.
Thank you very much for starting this thread and sharing your story. The greatest engineering in our world occurs post-disaster. Sad, but true, calamity provides real world "test" results and strengthens our resolve to better our designs.
Lessons:
-The cargo drawers/etc that I have been building for the LC are more than just storage and convenience. I would never have imagined the back seats (where my three kids sit) could be crushed forward like that. My build is bolted down in six places to captive nuts in the factory body. That's got to be good, but I want to look for more now.
-My dog is almost always with us in his spot in the back, behind one of my kids. I can't see how to save the dog from something like that, but I don't need his body killing my kid. That's 80lbs of loose weight to fly forward. I think I need some stout webbing between the two (boy/dog). That's scary.
-The rear bumper did quite a job protecting you! I'm bare in the rear, but no less safe than the worthless plastic and foam I removed. The Slee bumper (and I think the tire carrier) added quite protection
^ thanks for the sentiments. All very good thoughts. Personally, I've learned a hell I a lot from the response to this thread. It's a truly great community we have here.
Truck is at the body shop now getting stripped down. It should be going on the frame machine tomorrow or Monday. Hopefully everything ends up ok. I believe everything is being replaced with OEM because aftermarket and junkyard parts are proving hard to find, no complaints here on that. Slee is a couple weeks out on bumpers do I think I'm probably looking at 3 weeks till done. I'm driving a Chevy Traverse in the meantime which is really scaring me because I actually like it.
Ok just stopped at the body shop. They are repairing the tailgate but the hatch and glass will
Be new OEM. They are going to have to replace the rear crossmember as it was bent. They still don't know how the frame is. There was also damage to both quarter panels which will need some work. The quarters will be re clear coated which is going to make the whole truck look weird because the pin striping will stop at the back door, so I'll look into getting the whole truck polished.
Some new pics form the body shop, still a solid week or more out. Turns out the drawers actually are a little tweaked and the frame is bent but not bad. New cross-member and a little bit of straightening.
Some new pics form the body shop, still a solid week or more out. Turns out the drawers actually are a little tweaked and the frame is bent but not bad. New cross-member and a little bit of straightening.
A little of both. Frame and drawers. The tailgate got pushed into the drawers a bit. The frame damage is minimal and it was questionable if it even needed to be straightened. The crossbar fit in its location but things were slightly skewed.
A little of both. Frame and drawers. The tailgate got pushed into the drawers a bit. The frame damage is minimal and it was questionable if it even needed to be straightened. The crossbar fit in its location but things were slightly skewed.
No, they can do pretty amazing things with frames. And the manage was overall pretty light. Not even close to a total anyways with the final cost coming in at the $6-$7k range. This shop is very well respected and doing great work. I fully expect my truck to be exactly what it was before this happened.
