2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Truck wreck & help needed

[josh]

With out making this a really long post. I have a very babied & BOMBED 96' 5 speed 4x4 club cab. I was hit by a driver who ran a red light. The entire front end of my truck is totaled as well as the radiator & intercooler being smashed into the engine. The insurance is making their decision wether or not to total the truck. I have 137,000 miles on it... ... Two questions:



If I buy a new truck is there any value to mine salvaged? or is a waste of time? So far the insurance company says they will pay me $5700 in damages, & supplementals if needed, however they will total it, if it gets with in 70% of blue book value (10,000-12,000)



Also to any body shop types out there: The ENTIRE front end is totaled & I know with out seeing the damage it is hard to make an educated guess, but is it a fixable problem or one of those once reparepaired it will plague me with alignment issues, engine etc... . ??? That may bee too loaded of a question to ask.



Thanks to all in advance.....



Josh

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Screw the body and radiator, intercooler and such. Those are just parts.



How is the frame, the engine block and the front axle?

 

[MMeier]

Let them total it and then buy it back , retain salvage rights to it. Then fix it up right, (insurance will do it cheap as possible) and have a truck that'll probably be in better shape then when it was new !!

 

[VicR]

Its a long process you but you can argue the value they set if its totalled. For instance, there is no way I could buy a truck like yours for KBB of 10 to 12 K. Demand reports of actual sales. At least in NV thats what they are required to go by.



If you have the room and the ability, I would get the truck home right after the adjuster visits it. Once they make you an offer they will say the storage lot fees are your responsibility and that could be ~$25 a day or more. Its one of the tricks to get you to accept a lowball offer.



Good luck!