Sorry to hear about your truck Justin, that sucks having another accident.

My opinion is that if it's fixed right, it should be good as new. I know of quite a few trucks that have been totaled, some with frame damage, that people have got fixed and had absolutely no problems related to the damage.

 

I talked to my uncle, the body shop man, and he said that more than likely it'll be a total. Thats what I'm hoping for. Thanks for the replys about the frame damage guys. I might be able to use that as leverage.

 

So my uncle drops by my house this morning and now says that they are more than likely going to fix it. What the heck is goin on!! The frame is bent pretty bad, the axle is gone, entire front suspension needs to be re-done, front bumper, fenders, re-painting, labor, a new rim, maybe a new tire...the mechanic even said to leave it "open ended" incase the transfer case is broken and more. You'd think that would scare them and make them total it!! UGH I'm so fustrated...I can picture it now, hop in and take it for a ride...thing rattling all over the place and wandering and all kinds of crap, then me getting extremely mad and driving it into a tree.

 

Just be picky about every little rattle, ding, scratch and so on. Make sure that it is perfect in every way that will make you happy.

 

make you're uncle fix it. Then go and watch him fix, scream and yell if he's trys to cut corners. If the insurance company is stupid enough to fix it, make them pay as much as possible.

 

This stuff is so aggrivating. I could see if I was at fault for the accident that it would be tough, but if it's not my fault it should be a breeze for me instead of aggrivation. But I guess you can't always have it your way.

 

Well I got a check in the mail today, 4300 bucks and I guess the adjuster says it's for all OEM ford parts. He said it wasn't even close to a total. Now I don't know if I should use that money for a lift kit or just keep it stock. I don't know how it's going to turn out so I have no idea what to do. This stinks. Ugh

 

Do you guys/gals think I should get the lift kit? I'm a little worried that the frame being bent is going to be trouble but, my uncle said it can be fixed just fine. I figure that if I'm ever going to do a lift kit, now is the time because they are putting all new suspension pieces in. It would be stupid to put stock pieces in and then go buy a lift kit and take the stock pieces out and swap. I have until monday afternoon to decide, that is when he is going to start ordering parts and I need to talk to him about what to get. Should I lift her up or keep her down?

 

Not to be a smartie but I'd put it back to stock, and sell it. Before you wanted it totaled, now you're going to lift it. See if you can get it fixed and save some of the $4300 and apply it to a different truck/car whatever you want to replace it with. No matter how great the frame straightening machine is.....................it probably won't be like new. And as many accidents that find you I'd prefer to have a nonbent frame to absorb the next collison if and when. Just my opinion which most of the time isn't worth $.02. Good luck.

 

Sorry about the accident, it gets the best of us every now and then. Now that you know what's going to be done, after the frame is straightened, and you get your suspension fixed (stock or lift), I'd reinforce the front of the frame. Beef it up!!! Make it where if you do hit a tree, the tree'll break before that frame bends. That's what I say. Go all out and fix it up like you always wanted. A friend of mine wrecked a '90 Z71, the insurance company totaled it, he bought it back, had the frame straightened, put a '98 front end on it, all the custom chrome, clear lights, etc., then lifted it 10". It's a good lookin' truck for a Chevy. Yours'll turn out better than that. Good Luck, and don't let the insurance goofballs give you the run-around.

By the way, I'm just curious, what is the criteria for a vehicle to be "totaled" by insurance? From what I've seen that is a very gray area.

 

From what I understand if the damage is 75% of the value of the car or more, it's considered a total. But I also heard that any kind of frame damage is a total too. There seems to be a gray area like you said. It probably varies by state too. I can't pocket any of the $4300 because it's going to take that much to fix it. It's about $3000 just in stock parts plus labor. What would be a good plan of action in order to get more money? Would I be able to tell the adjuster that I am suppose to be compensated for lost value to the truck since it's obvious that there is going to be marks on the frame? What else? I figure if I lift it..i can still sell it. Just because I lift it doesn't mean I can't sell it. It would be harder but...I can drive it until I find a lucky soul who wants it. Besides I don't think it could be that that bad, rattling and shakes and stuff...the tires already wear pretty bad anyway from the TTB...i duno. I figure that if i'm going to lift it now is the time...but then again I dont know how the truck is going to turn out...it's a catch 22. I can never make up my mind on what I want to do. What would i be more likely to regret...saying man I wish I lifted it and saved the 1500 dollars...or man I wish I didn't lift it so I could sell it? I'm leaning to the first one. What do ya think?

 

I was talking to a friend a few months back and he said that after his wreck, he was told a vehicle has to have engine damage before it can be "totalled"...I'm not sure if that is just for that particular company (state farm) or if it's just a Georgia thing or what...

 

LIFT

 

My first truck was totalled, look at the pictures in my gallery. No engine damage there.

 

You asked how you could get more money. I thought of one solution, sue the other person (I'm assuming you weren't at fault). A few people I've talked to did that and they came out to the plus big time. I would sue for just enough to cover the lift, body work, and a few other things you might want, but say that was part of the damage, because you know insurance is gonna try to give you the short end of the stick, they don't know the difference between stock and a 2" or 4" lift. Use what you "know" and what they DO NOT know to your advantage.