Hi everyone, I often read the forums but am not into posting much because I'm not really knowledgable about off-road vehicles. I married into a TJ. I like cars a lot and have put a lot of money into this car. Just did a cooling system overhaul last month and these forums were a lot of help. It was a success. Was in the process of installing a $4-5,000 stereo, something I've been planning for many months, when the Jeep was hit. In South Korea by the way. There were four cars involved total. It was deemed "100% not our fault". Accidents are judged on the percentage of fault for each driver in this country.
The insurance situation, as I learned today, is different from the US. The process is different too. But the cool thing is that if the accident is totally not your fault, insurance is obligated to fix the vehicle by law, if fixing it is what you want. So that means that a vehicle that's probably worth 10 to $15,000, which is what I guess ours would go for, can end up fetching over $35,000 to fix. If you choose not to fix, you can settle for less. (I was told around $25k for our car)
I'll try to explain the process as I understand it. After the car is wrecked you can get estimates, like USA. However, the place that is fixing your vehicle receives the money and also negotiates the money needed for fixing the car with the insurance company. They also negotiate with the vehicle owner what upgrades they will do to your vehicle which insurance is unaware of.
Here's my vehicle: Black 2003 Sahara - 4.0, 72,000 miles, 42RLE, 3.73, Factory tow package in rear and original Mopar (Ramsey) winch in front. I have never seen the winch before. I imagine it's super rare because I've searched everywhere and can't find it. The car is clean. no rust. runs great.
While I will post photos showing damage, the photos don't show what I saw today. When the car arrived at the "custom off-road" shop, we put it on the lift, and found that one of the wheels on the rear axle is wobbling. The owner claimed both axles need to be replaced. I'm pretty sure that the rear one could just be repaired. But anyway, he claimed that he can get $35,000 from insurance.
Option A: He will fix the body damage, install new axles front and rear, either Teraflex Dana 60's or Currie's axles with my chosen gear and ARB lockers front and rear, new wheels and tires, possibly a lift and give me $10,000 of that cash.
Option B: I can take $25,000 and be done with the car. No good TJ's on the market here. Not a single TJ Rubicon for sale currently in the whole country. I see like one TJ per month...maybe) I thought maybe we could use that money to get a JK Rubicon with 3.6L?
Which option do you like?
A lot of this is subject to change, but now I'm starting to think about how I can build this. I have no experience. Just a lot of reading. I'll have to put in several thousand dollars out of pocket to make it work.
I would like to install a 4" or so lift, fenders/flares all the way around, and 35" tires, corner guards and rockers.
If I get those axles with lockers, would 33's not be doing the build justice?
which diameter wheels do you like with 35's?
Korea has strict regulations for modified vehicles. Lifts require government approval that takes more than two weeks. vehicle inspections every two years and if you don't past you have to pay daily incremental fines until you bring it back to pass. No stubby bumpers. The flares MUST cover the tires completely. So I'm just thinking about Metalcloak all the way around the vehicle with 8" flares because that might be the highest quality and only one that can cover all. I also must choose a lift. Currie is an option. If I go with Metalcloak for body, then maybe I should just get their lift too? 4.5" long arm or 3.5" mid arm? Teraflex is sold by the shop my Jeep is at now and he is pushing that on me but I was reluctant. Teraflex recommended long arm on the phone. By the way, I have a full set of Rancho RS5000X shocks for 3-4" lift. Don't have to use them but I have them ready.
There are so many options I'm kind of in over my head. I'll provide updates about insurance money and the axles we end up going for because I realize that could dictate some of the other choices. Any guidance would be appreciated. I'll need it.
The insurance situation, as I learned today, is different from the US. The process is different too. But the cool thing is that if the accident is totally not your fault, insurance is obligated to fix the vehicle by law, if fixing it is what you want. So that means that a vehicle that's probably worth 10 to $15,000, which is what I guess ours would go for, can end up fetching over $35,000 to fix. If you choose not to fix, you can settle for less. (I was told around $25k for our car)
I'll try to explain the process as I understand it. After the car is wrecked you can get estimates, like USA. However, the place that is fixing your vehicle receives the money and also negotiates the money needed for fixing the car with the insurance company. They also negotiate with the vehicle owner what upgrades they will do to your vehicle which insurance is unaware of.
Here's my vehicle: Black 2003 Sahara - 4.0, 72,000 miles, 42RLE, 3.73, Factory tow package in rear and original Mopar (Ramsey) winch in front. I have never seen the winch before. I imagine it's super rare because I've searched everywhere and can't find it. The car is clean. no rust. runs great.
While I will post photos showing damage, the photos don't show what I saw today. When the car arrived at the "custom off-road" shop, we put it on the lift, and found that one of the wheels on the rear axle is wobbling. The owner claimed both axles need to be replaced. I'm pretty sure that the rear one could just be repaired. But anyway, he claimed that he can get $35,000 from insurance.
Option A: He will fix the body damage, install new axles front and rear, either Teraflex Dana 60's or Currie's axles with my chosen gear and ARB lockers front and rear, new wheels and tires, possibly a lift and give me $10,000 of that cash.
Option B: I can take $25,000 and be done with the car. No good TJ's on the market here. Not a single TJ Rubicon for sale currently in the whole country. I see like one TJ per month...maybe) I thought maybe we could use that money to get a JK Rubicon with 3.6L?
Which option do you like?
A lot of this is subject to change, but now I'm starting to think about how I can build this. I have no experience. Just a lot of reading. I'll have to put in several thousand dollars out of pocket to make it work.
I would like to install a 4" or so lift, fenders/flares all the way around, and 35" tires, corner guards and rockers.
If I get those axles with lockers, would 33's not be doing the build justice?
which diameter wheels do you like with 35's?
Korea has strict regulations for modified vehicles. Lifts require government approval that takes more than two weeks. vehicle inspections every two years and if you don't past you have to pay daily incremental fines until you bring it back to pass. No stubby bumpers. The flares MUST cover the tires completely. So I'm just thinking about Metalcloak all the way around the vehicle with 8" flares because that might be the highest quality and only one that can cover all. I also must choose a lift. Currie is an option. If I go with Metalcloak for body, then maybe I should just get their lift too? 4.5" long arm or 3.5" mid arm? Teraflex is sold by the shop my Jeep is at now and he is pushing that on me but I was reluctant. Teraflex recommended long arm on the phone. By the way, I have a full set of Rancho RS5000X shocks for 3-4" lift. Don't have to use them but I have them ready.
There are so many options I'm kind of in over my head. I'll provide updates about insurance money and the axles we end up going for because I realize that could dictate some of the other choices. Any guidance would be appreciated. I'll need it.
