Sad day - Jeep got smashed

[vagabond]

Sorry to hear about the jeep, but its just a bunch of metal. Hopefully you can take him to court or something and get some money out of him... looks like he has some to say the least.

Glad you ended up being ok.

 

[XJensen]

That sucks to say the least. Sorry to hear that.

 

[american_zero]

This is often the case if you don't have full coverage. Because his insurance doesn't have any money on the line (paying the full coverage reimbursement), they don't fight to get you paid. Time for a civil suit when they other guys insurance tries to screw you.

This pretty much sums it up. Once I get a hold of the rental company's insurance I should have a better idea of how they want to handle this. I have receipts for most of the add-on stuff, and KBB shows it's worth about $4k private party. I'm putting together a spreadsheet and consolidating receipts to try and make this as easy as possible.

More pics of carnage.

Hit in the front and did this damage.

Pushed the Jeep up the curb and back several feet into a utility pole. Looks like the hitch took the hit and that folded the 'frame' above the rear wheels. Rear quarter panel now overlaps the rear door.

Side of the Jeep took some damage from the grounding cable that runs from the pole to the ground at an angle.

Struggled to open the rear door and then couldn't close it. Way off. Front door is not even touching weather stripping.

Drivers front wheel area. Brunt of the impact. Broke the Bilstein 5100 shock, OME spring is way out of place and bent around, JKS disco sheared the bolt on the sway bar, ZJ tie rod looks a little wavier than before, lower control arm mount ripped off axle, etc.

Surprised to see this. Front axle pushed back so hard and far that the front driveshaft must have destroyed the NP231 and it actually blew out the back of the case!

Negative camber for better handling...

 

[bigalpha]

This is often the case if you don't have full coverage. Because his insurance doesn't have any money on the line (paying the full coverage reimbursement), they don't fight to get you paid. Time for a civil suit when they other guys insurance tries to screw you.

Interesting. I assumed they would help you out regardless of your coverage level. I have full coverage on all my vehicles.

 

[the_weirdo]

Didn't you just put control arms on a few weeks ago at Tim's? Well at least the license plates are not bent.

 

[Letterman]

A little JB weld and you are good to go!

Sorry for your loss, fight for every penny and don't cash the first check till you are sure you got enough for it!

 

[american_zero]

Didn't you just put control arms on a few weeks ago at Tim's? Well at least the license plates are not bent.

Yep. I don't know if they are bent, but the bushings are definitely shot.

And yeah, good thing they didn't mess up the license plates. Possibly the only straight parts left on the Jeep. Even the roof is warped.

 

[kevswens20]

Wow I'm sorry for your loss! Glad everyone was ok. All I got to say is Karma is a _____! He will get whats coming to him!

 

[SharkXJ]

Dude!!!! Sux ass man. I am REALLY happy nobody was seriously injured. Good luck with everything, I am sure it will work out nice for you in the end.

 

[american_zero]

Taking suggestions for a replacement. Looking for something with more comfortable seating, more power would be nice (XJ is ok though), a little more room would also be a plus, smoother riding would be nice (XJ might be ok with the right parts - I think my 5100's were way too stiff for my setup), etc. Not going for any kind of rock crawler, more of a trail/camping/expo type of setup, definite on-road DD 99% of the time though.


My current short list if you have any feedback:

02-04 WJ with 4.7 V8. Was really interested in one but now I'm a little worried about reliability with these. People seem to have all kinds of issues with them. Earlier years more so. Also dislike the full-time 4wd that many seem to have.

97+ XJ (99 would be super). I've heard the later model seats are more comfy and I like the updated interior. Will be hard to find with lower miles. Wouldn't mind something a touch bigger inside or more powerful for the 15-16mpg I seemed to get all the time.

95-02 4Runner - I know, but it might fit the bill. Probably more expensive to modify, but a small lift, armor, and the stock e-locker (if I find one) should be good for a while.

Maybe an 05+ WK. These are nice and might be affordable. Not really sure if they have common issues or not. WIll research their off-road ability and reliability. Independent front suspension pits them against 4runners, Xterra's, etc.

Or maybe even a later ZJ with the 5.2. Looking around it might be hard to find a cleaner one with lower miles thoughs.

 

[knucklehead 61]

check with srmitchell, he talks about selling his '01 xj & it is as clean as they come & already built up nicely. hell i want to buy it, its that nice.

 

[eflores]

check with srmitchell, he talks about selling his '01 xj & it is as clean as they come & already built up nicely. hell i want to buy it, its that nice.

jimgrms is selling his WJ? as well you aught to PM him. he is super easy on his stuff and takes care to do things right the first time. his stuff will be cherry

 

[american_zero]

The insurance company has made an offer. The amount for the Jeep itself is pretty good - high blue book and maybe a little more (~$4700). But, the adjustment for aftermarket parts is weak at best. Any advice to make a better case for myself? I've provided receipts and made the point that I have a lot of time and money in it, but that only got me about $300 for all the extras. Their argument is that those extras don't really increase market value and they are paying for the market value replacement. And $630 dollars w/6k miles on them is a wear item that would be assumed in the market value of the Jeep.

I think I need to make the point that just between the nearly new tires and the 2 week old IRO control arms, that's $850 right out of my pocket and into the crusher. Where's the compensation for that??

 

[the_weirdo]

That's not a terrible offer - but they always start low. See if you can get them into the low-to-mid $5k range and take the money.

 

[rocknxj]

What would you offer me for my red POS?

 

[the_weirdo]

What would you offer me for my red POS?

$50k, but that's as high as I'll go.

Let me clarify my response to Chad - I think the offer is a good one and I would probably take it as-is. But if he feels that the upgrades are not being included then get the receipts together or some other argument why he thinks he deserves more. The insurance company never comes out with the max their willing to pay - they are not in the business of giving cash away. He may be able to get a couple hundred more out of them if he can articulate why.

 

[knucklehead 61]

i would get the cash in hand & offer it to either columbus or kelly & buy either of their rigs. they are both clean & ready to go. the jeeps, not the guys. they are both dirty basturds! :eeks1:

j/k guys...

 

[american_zero]

$50k, but that's as high as I'll go.

Let me clarify my response to Chad - I think the offer is a good one and I would probably take it as-is. But if he feels that the upgrades are not being included then get the receipts together or some other argument why he thinks he deserves more. The insurance company never comes out with the max their willing to pay - they are not in the business of giving cash away. He may be able to get a couple hundred more out of them if he can articulate why.

Yep, I agree with your statement. A decent offer thus far, but it really does not take into consideration the upgrades at all. Or even the value of the nearly new tires that I spent money on, yet won't get to use out of. The 'lift kit' adds $185 to the settlement value. I installed $220 control arms two weeks before it got smashed. Call it a wash on the rest?

i would get the cash in hand & offer it to either columbus or kelly & buy either of their rigs. they are both clean & ready to go. the jeeps, not the guys. they are both dirty basturds! :eeks1:

j/k guys...

Both are nice rigs. Kelly's is a little larger than I would want, but that's not a terrible thing. Columbo's is cool, except that cage that I know I'll bump my head on.

What would you offer me for my red POS?

At this time, right around $5k. :conceited

 

[american_zero]

Signed a settlement this afternoon after a little more back and forth on value. Basically, they increased it to $4,985 for the Jeep + sales tax and a small fee = $5,490 for the Jeep. Since they wouldn't budge on any more money for aftermarket parts, I asked for loss of use compensation. Bottom line, $5,830 which isn't too bad. Beyond that, they also covered the towing and storage fees it incurred.

Small lesson - save your receipts, make your case, and be sure to ask for what you think is fair. That simple follow-up phone call could be worth hundreds or more.

So, on the hunt for something else now. I'll need to test drive a few things to figure it out.

 

[knucklehead 61]

can you buy it back from them & part it out?