2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Stolen Truck

[Brian I]

Had my Pride and joy stolen on monday. It was recovered yesterday 80 miles away. Both doors have been damaged in the lock area and the ignition has been ripped out. This truck has never been smoked in or even had a cup of coffee in it i am so particuler with it. It was found covered in mud and the lights were left on. My question is what hidden damage should i be looking for Thanking you in advance. Brian I.

 

[dseabaugh]

Having had that miserable experince before, considering it was muddy, I would check to make sure the calipers and drums are not caked with mud, We had one that ended up with no brakes and when we pulled the drums we found out that they had oozed full of mud and then the heat had baked it solid so that the shoes could no longer work inside. by then everything was rusty. also check for water in your differentials, trans, cracked radiator (mudders don't drive easy) alignment, bent rims etc. If they took any of the locksets with them, they can make a new key to match so re key everything to a different key so they cannot steal your truck again with the key after it is all fixed up. Theives like to steal old stuff so that they can come back and get the new replacement later. Sorry to hear about your truck.

 

[Sregorb]

Wow, sorry to hear it was stolen and happy to hear that you got it back! Hopefully insurance will step up to the plate.....



At the very least a complete fluids/filters change is in order. If they ragged on it real bad the internals may have damage so the fluid change will help reduce further damage. Does it still run? Just a joyride hit and ditch? Stripped?

Also, assuming it's running, pay close attention to the subtle noises. Anything that sounds different than before can point to something that was damaged. Suspension/frame/etc can be visually inspected. Short of ripping off covers the internals can only be diagnosed by failure/noise.



Just a couple of suggestions as I would do the same if I were in your shoes. Again, sorry to hear about the truck. Hopefully, the perps will get theirs



Brian R.

 

[Motorhead]

Get a hold of Morphious. He went thru the same thing and maybe He can help. Sure sorry for your loss. Don't close out with your insurance right away incase problems arise after you get it on the road again. Chris

 

[Morphious]

man, I feel for you, it sucks... . I've been going through the rebuilding process myself after my truck was stolen. I was lucky enough to be able to buy me a beater to drive around while I made sure the truck was inspected thouroughly. I sent it to Cummins for complete engine and overall mechanical diagnosis as these aren't cheap trucks. It's spent the last 2 1/2 weeks at the bodyshop getting a full paintjob (insurance isn't paying for but about 2/3's the cost), but I didn't want a bunch of patchwork paint on the truck, course I also took this downtime to do some other things that I had been meaning to do for a while.



My advice is to stick to the insurance's heels and make them fix/replace any damaged piece of the truck as it was before it was stolen.



Morph.

 

[Philip]

Suspension/frame/etc can be visually inspected

Do not go with the visually inspection. Get the truck on a laser alignment rack and check to see if anything is tweaked out of shape. This would be the best way to tell. If the wheels are not tracking straight. Something is bent.



I chased a bent rear axle housing for all most a year. Two different shops checked it over. The frame and housings were supposed to be good. They could not find a problem as to why the truck was squirrelly on water and snow/ice. Plus went threw rear tires fast. The local front end shop had just got a new rack setup. So I had the truck put on it. The rear axle housing was bent 1 3/16's" straight back at the angle of the drive shaft. So do not go by visual inspection.

 

[Sled Puller]

Mine was stolen in Canada also- no recovery.



How does the clutch feel? No doubt some holeshots were done.

Need to get some hidden switches controlling fuel shut offs.

 

[dodger22]

Brian 1 - Real sorry to hear about your loss. How was your truck stolen? Did the thieves haul it away on a truck or smash a window and hot wire it? If so did it trigger the alarm? I am paranoid about losing my truck and want to take steps so that it can never happen.



BTW I am just up the road from you in Waterloo.

 

[Joe Mc]

Brian,



Sorry to hear about your truck. In addition to what the others mentioned; check your interior for cigarette burns, little rips in the seating, scratches on anything. The key to dealing with your insurance company is as follows: you pay their salary don't let them convince you otherwise - they are trained to make you think they are doing you a favor by fixing your truck. Use specific wording when you talk to them such as: this must be "restored to pre-loss condition" and if they are trying to use inferior products let them know that "anything other than OEM specified materials is totally unacceptable". Talk with the shop that's doing the work and the insurance adjuster, if possible at the same time, let them both know you are in charge and you are their customer. Also, let them know that word of mouth is the best advertisment for good and other than desireable experiences. Basically let them know you can be the best customet or their worst nightmare, in a nice way. Wish you much luck with the ordeal.



Joe Mc

 

[Brian I]

Re Stolen Truck.Thank G

Thank you gentlemen for your helpful responses.



My truck was found and towed to the dealership. I am happy with the way they have always treated me so thats where I decided to have the repairs done. My insurance adjuster took a look at the truck and gave them the go ahead to do what ever they needed to do. First of all it had a good wash down. It seems it had not been off road but it was driven along muddy gravel roads and it looked worse than it really was. It was then given a thorough mechanical check up and everything checked out ok. The engine oil has been changed and new filters installed now it goes to the body shop for both door repairs and paint. If that part of the work goes well I will more than happy with the way I have been treated Once again I thank you for your helpful advise.



Brian I.

 

[fortunate1]

Hide a simple switch that opens the circuit to the starter. For a manual, there's a wire to close the circuit that allows the starter to function only when the clutch is pressed down. For an Auto, the same type of wire works only when the transmission is in park or neutral. Cut into that wire ( it's in the shop manual) and hide the switch. One for the fuel shutoff solenoid would be extra protection too. Sorry you got ripped off. I'd like to install a key-coded device that ran 2 large corkscrews up through the driver's seat if the code was not properly entered. OUCH!!