90 4Runner Totaled, what to do next?

[jhanan]

Well, insurance co totaled our beloved 1990 4runner....a week ago a young driver lost control on an icy road - spinning right into me. I tried to bail off to the right shoulder but she was heading same way on busy road - really no were to go with only a couple sec to work with. Slid down the embankment in the snow. Her insurance co says damages over $8K to now waiting for what they will give me for it. At 220K miles and 25 years old....

My next decision is if I should try to keep her and save her turning her into the off roader I had intended to do.

Damage:
- Both drivers sided doors shot, but glass is good
- Door frames and center bar will need work
- Rear axle bent badly - replace all components on the rear end
- Rear sups parts bent - trailing arms etc

See pics

On the good side - the truck still looks straight - but hard to tell in the lot. The front, engine, all glass is good. The frame looks OK, was under it today at the lot and looks like all mounting brackets are OK and box rails do not look twisted.

What I'm I to do? let the insurance co take her away or try to rebuild her in the summer. I would have to park her by the side of the house (wife will not be happy). I have no room left in the garage for her in the winter.

Need suggestions!

Thanks.

 

[DeclansDaddy]

Either way the insurance company is gonna screw ya. I'd keep her and fix it up. As long as the frame wasn't hurt. Not sure how plentiful they are in your local junkyards but from what you described is hurt, here in Va that'd be probably $500-600 in pick and pull parts. Little cutting and welding she'd be good as new.

 

[mikekfr]

You could part out what is still good ( if you have the room to do that ) and get a fair amount of $$ towards your next 4runner......would all depend on what kinda deal you can find in you area, and also how scarce are 4runner parts in your area.

I bought one wrecked about as bad as that one, just for the motor for $500 ( complete interior was missing ) motor, all running gear, tires/rims, windshield, and most of the glass.

 

[KidVermicious]

I'd take the cash and part it out. You can probably replace her cheaper than you'll fix her.

 

[gtgt_bangbang]

some dreams die, others take their place

fight them for every penny for the inconvenience , the sore neck you are going to start feeling, etc. Emotional attachment means little to them but a couple visits to the dr will get a manager involved quick enough.

then if you insist, buy it at the last minute for scrap value, and only if major parts are really nice or new. they will be just as happy to not have to deal with it. Price it at the junk yards to get an idea of your offer. then go low.

I wouldnt mind losing it anyway, if they take it they gave $$ to a great start on an offroader that has NOT been 360 roll damaged.


too old, not a valuable classic, way too many damage points to deal with.

Think you did well for the settlement but stillyou might be able to push a little more out of it.

Part if out for peanuts, if you have the time and the runner was pristine but I don't think average parts are moving fast or high.

Modernize, 8 buys nice next gen rigs

 

[jhanan]

Thanks for inputs.....still waiting for the insurance co to settle the claim.

One thing about the total - since I have never had one - is it the obligation of the ins co to dispose of the vehicle?

 

[gtgt_bangbang]

they have their current junk dawgs to come cart it from your yard or the wreckers if that where it lands. You wont have to do a thing but sign papers. if you start grabbing all kinds of stuff it might be a problem but certainly dont give away anything easy and nice. I grabbed the new battery from the only wreck I ever took totaled on. wish I could have taken the brand new rag top I just installed

ps just re read your 1st. erase everyting I said and replace with Make Wife Happy

 

[KidVermicious]

Thanks for inputs.....still waiting for the insurance co to settle the claim.

One thing about the total - since I have never had one - is it the obligation of the ins co to dispose of the vehicle?

If you accept their offer to total the vehicle, then you're agreeing to sell it to them. They'll come get it, you'll sign the title over.

Remember that you don't have to accept their first offer, and you shouldn't. It will be low. You'll have to do a little homework to get them to come up to something reasonable. Remember also that some ins co's will let you buy it back for roughly what they're going to get from a junkyard, so once you've agreed to sell it to them in return for the insurance payout, ask them how much to buy it back.

 

[jbtvt]

You will definitely not be getting anywhere near $8k for it. A drunk driver "totaled" my '90 last winter and I got $1660. Not bad considering I paid $400 and drove it for 3 years. They also didn't want the 4Runner, said they only do that if they're paying out under a "collision" claim when their insured was at fault. So you might get $2k and get to keep the vehicle if you push hard enough. If I recall when I registered the '90 I had to pay taxes on it as if it was worth $2500, so check the blue book.

I'd keep it and wheel it, but then I don't have a LTR to ***** at me about my collection anymore, so...take that for what it's worth.

 

[jhanan]

So the other parties insurance final got the police report - established blame - so they of course totaled the vehicle (Met Life), offered me 2500 at first, but haggled up to $3000 for full value + TTL. Signing title over to them. They came a took it away from the lot. Sorry to see it go but have other projects than to keep it and with all my stuff at the house no way to hold on to it (I got an RV, boat, 3 dirt bikes, and 3 other cars). So she is gone now. It was my winter driver, so now probably going to find an AWD commuter car.

Thanks for everyone's advice.