A Pictorial Reminder:













The insurance totaled it becouse it could have a bent frame.
So, here is how it paid out:

Truck Settlement - $6,200.00

Minus Deductable - $500.00
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Total Payout - $5,700.00

Minus Truck Buyback - $500.00
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Total Cash Payout -$5,200.00

So, I bought the truck back for $500.00 bucks.
See, I got 4 one-year-old tires exactly like the ones that were on there on the exact same rims.
I'm going to slap them on and see how she goes down the road.
It already runs and goes forward & backward fine.
No leaks, no malfunctioning anything that I can see.
The only thing is the airbag light is on.
Just remove the bulb, and presto!

I'm not sure how it will drive, or maybe even if I need to spend a $1,000 bucks to have the frontend & backend somewhat realigned, but I thought, "For $500.00 bucks, I'll take a chance & throw the dice!".
Mainly, becouse I got those extra almost new tires on the nice Dodge rims, ready to go.
It's worth a test drive.

At the least, I can sell the Dodge rims & new tires for $500.00 bucks, "Drive Them Home!".
The running gear has 109,000 miles on it & works perfect, so even that's gotta be worth atleast the $500.00 bucks I spent buying it back, right?

Worst-case deal, I "Beater" it back & forth to work untill she dies, then sell what's left.
I'm thinking it's $500.00 bucks well-spent.

What do you think?

[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 03-24-2009).]

Assuming that you can align it and it doesn't wear out the tires in some weird appalling way that limits you to 500 miles per set of tires. You done good. Now, if it can't be aligned, then I'd part it out. Either way, you'll get your money back out of it.

Ron

Even if the frame is bent it is still fixable. Frames are straightened every day. Good deal Boonie.

Steve

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

I've been driving an old winter beater S10 with a bent frame and crooked bed (courtesy of an accident my son had) for many years now.

Try not to let that insurance money burn a hole in your pocket.

[This message has been edited by FrugalFiero (edited 03-24-2009).]

Yep--looks like you made out pretty good on it, depending what a similar (appearance, miles, year model etc) replacement vehicle in your area would cost if you chose not to put this one back on the road. Dunno how it is in Alaska, but around here, used truck parts fetch high prices.

Been meaning to ask--how about Mt Redoubt? Is it affecting you any?

quote ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - People near Alaska's Mount Redoubt volcano are reporting a fine dusting of ash. The more-than-10,000-foot volcano has erupted five times since last night. The blasts have sent an ash plume nine miles high. Experts say more eruptions are likely. Alaska Airlines is canceling more than a dozen flights in and out of the Anchorage international airport because of the ash. At Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, only essential personnel are being told to report to work. Mount Redoubt is about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. So far, winds are pushing the cloud away from there and toward the north. The volcano last erupted during a four-month period from 1989-90.

Keep us informed Boonie and stay safe!!

Check the fuse on the airbag circuit, that light will come on if the fuse has blown or if something came disconnected.

Good idea. I am all for that sort of thing.

That is a sweet deal...
a friend of mine had a frame straightened recently, cost him about $1250.00 for 2.5 inch pull, 2 cross members re-welded, and 1 cross piece replaced. I saw the receipt, but I don't remember the actual number.

Total Cash Payout -$5,200.00
minus 1500 (being non-optimistic, assuming the worst case scenario...)
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$3,700.00 left over
for a perfectly fine truck....
AWESOME

[This message has been edited by IFLYR22 (edited 03-24-2009).]

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Been meaning to ask--how about Mt Redoubt? Is it affecting you any? Keep us informed Boonie and stay safe!!

Looks like it is gonna pass right buy Anchorage.
Lord willin' & the creek don't rise..................

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: It came on after the wreck. Just didn't pop the bag. I'm gonna check those things, though. Thanx!

Just make sure while you're checking it out, you face isn't in front of the air bag.

Ron

For about half of the insurance money you got out of the truck, you could put a new bed on it, get the wheels aligned, minor frame work if needed and a tail light.

Good deal.

Glad you came out on top of that one...

But I'd get the airbag checked out..."Just remove the bulb, and presto!"

Don't want it to deploy unexpectedly, or NOT deploy when needed!!!
(or deply at the wrong time...) (ouch)

quote Originally posted by blackrams: Just make sure while you're checking it out, you face isn't in front of the air bag. Ron

quote Originally posted by FieroRumor: But I'd get the airbag checked out..."Just remove the bulb, and presto!" Don't want it to deploy unexpectedly, or NOT deploy when needed!!! (or deply at the wrong time...) (ouch)

I just went outside to see what all I'll need for a testdrive (lightbulbs, etc.).
The Airbag light ain't on anymore!
Presto!

I'll have tires & rims on it after work tonight.
Then we'll see what's what....................

[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 03-24-2009).]

If it runs and drives, you're good to go. It doesn't need to look pretty. It's a truck!

Yup, have a frame shop check it out. If necessary, they can bring it back in line. Well worth the money on this one. Did this get a salvage title? If, be sure to keep your receipts.

Otherwise, pound the dents back out and call it good

For $500.00 I would drive it and wait and see if it goes through tires or not. I'm betting not since it's a frame, if nothing else it'll dogwalk on ya, and heck, it would fit in

I missed you man, welcome back.

Brad

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I would have made the same choice. Drive it till they make you stop or it stops on its own.

If it rolls, it's good. Stopping optional!

Saweeeet, did good. We need to get in more wrecks, .

quote Originally posted by TK: Stopping optional!

What goes up, goes down. It stops in both directions, .

Well, I spent the better part of last night putting her back together.
All three bars upfront are waaaay bent.

The wheels are not aiming in the same direction.
When the drivers side wheel is pointing forward, the passingers side wheel is turned tward the left (inward) about 4 inches.

I then attempted to reinstall the tailgate.
No go, as the locks are ripped out of the mettel, and it has a bent in the center that made it shorter.
But it can be bolted back inplace, just non-finctioning.

I pulled all the dents I could out, replaced turn signal & taillight bulbs, applied "Fake Taillight Lense Cover Tape" to all offending units.
A walk-around, and off for a test-drive we go.

No shaking at any speed up to & including 85mph.
No real preasure on the stearing wheel to keep her going streght down the road, but you do need to use SOME, as she wants to drift right.
And the stearing wheel is NOT centered anymore, by almost half-a-turn

I had someone follow me for 3 blocks and he said from the back, it looks like it's crab-walking.
I guess that could be a bent frame, but i'm guessing more like the frontend is so out of wack that it's causing it.

I'm going to see how much it is to replace the bent bars upfront.
If it's under $1,000 bucks, i'm going for it.

But I'll fo'sho' be driving it till then!

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"I have never seen a greater monster or miracle then myself." ~Montaigne~ 1533-1592
"Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal." ~Albert Einstein~ 1879-1955
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