Totaled!
- Thread starter Thedogsbollocks
- Start date
OP
Yes…the rear x member is bent in about an inch and half this in turn has pulled the end of the frame in just enough that the tail gate won’t open. There are no creases in the sheet metal anywhere and my real issue is …will the sides of the frame at the rear straighten out ? I guessing it’s pulled in about 1/2” each side. No buckling or anything in the frame it’s just as the x member bent inwards it pulled the sides in.
They are totaling it and I’m negotiating price now.
You guys think frame will come back to normal ( obviously new x member will be installed? )
OP
Thanks… looks like a buy back could be on cards as we negotiate amounts.
OP
That’s what I’m thinking if I can get confidence the frame will come back to straight when new x member installed.
Do not let those a-holes total it. You will end up with a salvage title in the end. Unless they give you $25K for it....
The crossmember probably took the brunt of it. If there’s no buckling of the frame, I’ll bet the frame springs back when the bent xmember is released.
OP
This just makes me sick to see a low miles TJR damaged by someone's carelessness. I'd be buying it back in a minute! 
Fughuert
TJ Enthusiast
That’s crazy they’re totaling it for that. My 2.5l tj got totaled after being rear ended, by a similar Tacoma actually, mine was so fucked that the drivers door when latched looked partially open due to the entire side buckling in.
The adjuster said the cost of repair was just past the total price and by law it had to be totaled in my state.
The adjuster said the cost of repair was just past the total price and by law it had to be totaled in my state.
This. I went through this years back. Told them NO TOTAL, and you WILL fix my car! Eventually, they did.
What's wrong with the gas tank? I don't see a puddle of fuel underneath it.
Is the Jeep still drivable?
Is the Jeep still drivable?
Fughuert
TJ Enthusiast
I thought he was bs’ing me but I researched it and my state does have such a law stating if cost of repair is equal or greater than salvage value it must be totaled out.
It was hard to argue my 210k mile 4cyl tj that just hit a deer two weeks earlier and needed a new front clip was worth more than 5.5k, while now needing a new driver side panel, tailgate and paint.
Especially when the fair market examples they showed me didn’t need new front clips and were lower mile 6cyls.
Like I say, "How Convenient" for the insurance industry. Like they didn't lobby for that bullshit law. In my case, I told State Farm that I didn't give a damn how much they thought it was worth or not. I knew what I had, what condition it was in, what work I'd done to it, etc, etc. It was in perfect shape before THEIR client hit me - fix it!
I didn't even need to get a lawyer involved, but I would have if I had needed to. I told State Farm that I wasn't interested in ripping them off or making money on the deal. BUT - they were going to FIX my damn car, and if lawyers get involved, the cost goes up. Pay me (the body shop actually) now, or pay the shop AND my lawyer later.
I don't know what it is about InsCos and totalling - they LOVE to total cars, even sometimes when the repair bill would be LESS!
I see you are in Florida (next sure where); IF you need a hand working on your Jeep (not too far from me) I am willing to lend you a hand....
Fughuert
TJ Enthusiast
No doubt they bought and paid for that law especially in this state. Half our senate works for the monopoly electric supplier.
I was ready to argue it, I wanted to keep it since it was my first car, but came to my senses a little.
Now if they tried to pull that shit on my ljr I’d threaten or get lawyers involved, especially after doing all this outboarding work.
I would bet that when the crossmember is removed; the frame would spring outward and the tub would adjust outward too....