Great Lakes Body Parts...

[esommer2500]

OK, I think the adjuster is going to let me keep my truck, but he said that the chances are alot better if I can find a used bed, passenger door, and complete cab with most of the interior. I found a bed off a 01 in the junkyard that was taken off of a truck that had a utility bed put on when new, so it is mint. I might have a door lined up off a 2001 also (different place).



The hard part, I think, is going to be finding a complete cab, less the seats. I don't know if I need a whole new dash or not, I don't know how much of it got crunched, or if it's saveable. Color isn't a problem as the whole truck will be re-painted anyway.



If anyone knows of any good junkyards in IN, IL, MI, OH, or KY, please let me know. If you have any leads on the above items, please pm or email me at



esommer@purdue. edu



Thanks for any help, I hope to save my truck from the insurance co. !



Eric

 

[Crash_AF]

Why not just let them total it and then buy it back from the insurance company? You would probably come out better in the end by doing that than by letting them fix it with used parts.



Just a thought...



Later,

Joe H

 

[MMeier]

Yep, most "insurance " companies will let you buy back your total for 20-25% of the total value. Did it when my mom "totaled "her '90 Grand Marquis at the beginning of the year, put it back together for next to nothing and had $$$ to spare!! Car only has 44k on it!!

 

[esommer2500]

I guess I don't see how I would be money ahead, I would have to pay to get it fixed anyway, which would require the same parts, right?



I have three estimates so far, $8800, $9200, and $9500. The high and low numbers are from companies here in Lafayette where I go to school and where the accident happened. I trailered the truck up home and the middle number is from a local shop I have dealt with before (I actually poured all the concrete for the shop and the owner of the dealership) and my dad went to school with the shop manager. This is where I would prefer to have the work done, as my Dad drives by there everyday and can keep an eye on things.



The shop manager told us that in order for the truck to be 'totalled' the required repairs have to come out to more than 70% of the assessed value of the truck. I ran some quick checks over the internet on Kelly and NADA and the values were between $10,800 and $12,000. Assuming the higher value that I have (12000) and the estimate from the shop that I want to do the work (9200), the estimate already equals 76% of the $12,000 value.



Right now I am waiting on the insurance adjuster to determine the trucks value, and make a decision as to whether or not it is totalled. The idea of getting used parts (passenger door, complete cab, and bed) came about as a way to save money on the repair and keep the truck from being totalled. With the used parts, I basically get a complete new paint job, something the truck needed anyway.



So if it is totalled and assume that I can buy it back from the insurance company for 25% of value (12000*0. 25=$3,000) and add the cost of the repairs (3000+9200=$12,200) I could be out $200? I guess we'll just have to see how it plays out.



Thanks for any help or advise.



Eric

 

[Crash_AF]

That's not quite right... depending on the insurance company, they will either call three local salvage purchasers and get an estimate of what they would purchase it for or they will have a wholesale company that will provide a salvage value. This is not 25% of the value in 90% of the cases.



Example: My brother in law totalled his mom's Jeep Cherokee which was valued at $6000. She took the total amount ($6000) and bought back the Jeep for $950, leaving $5050 as the check from the ins company.



That of course is only one example and YMMV, but it doesn't hurt to ask what buy back would be for it and make your decision from there.



Later,

Joe H

 

[Scot]

Eric,

If they are going to total the truck, do not go by NADA or Kelly. Ask the insurance company to base it on what the truck is actually worth.



I am fighting that battle right now and the saga is in the 1st gen forum.

 

[AKAMAC]

Joe is right.

My 86 Jeep was stolen and joy riden by a group of teens. Thanks to my 6x2x1/4" bumper the only thing they did was spin a rod bearing and minor cosmetic damage. (they did total 6 other cars)

The insurance totaled it for 5200. 00 and I bought it back for 600. 00. 2600. 00 later I had it on the road with a rebuilt engine and new paint. Let them make the decision and with cash in hand you can work the body shop to a more real price.

Good luck, Mike