my truck build thread

[captmatthew1]

Well, I always do my own work. But with the winter being here and nowhere to work out of the elements, this is the one time I took it to someone to have it done for me. I never take any of my cars to the shop! Go figure the one time it goes!

Guess I have to go get estimates tomorrow for the repair

[CumminsPower59]

I hear ya on the no place to work, all I got at the house is a busted concrete pad to work on. Gets a bit chilly out there in January when I need to do some work. Thank goodness for Carhartts'.

[captmatthew1]

Pretty much the same story here. Didn't think an oil change could have been this big of a disaster!

[CumminsPower59]

On another thought, since your pops is the service manager, he might know this...what kind of safety training do the guys out in the shop have to got through? I am sure there is something about engaging the parking brake when a vehicle is on the lift when a vehicle has a manual transmission. Might have to dime the guy out who did the work, save face for your pops...

Just a thought.

[Remps]

Walmart is terrible, I will never get work done there again. I took my truck there once to get the tires balanced, and they stripped 5 of the wheel studs. Buddy tells me "your wheel studs are worn out", I asked what he torqued them to, he tells me 175 ft/lbs! Of course I didn't pay for them, and I made them reset the torque on all of them to 100 ft/lbs, then checked them later with my own wrench. On top of that, when the tech backed my truck out of the shop, 2 weights fell off of one tire before it was all the way out the door. I ended up taking the wheel weight pliers from the guy, bent the tabs a little tighter and hammered them back on myself.

[oldestof11]

If you haven't already, make sure the safety switch works! Cover your azz.

Does the clutch switch work???

[PToombs]

Dude that sucks! No offense to your dad, but I wouldn't trust a Walmart tech to touch my truck. I have a buddy that works in the auto department, he told me the manager of the auto department has to retorque the wheels after the tech does it and then test drive the car thru 2 right and left circles to make sure the wheels are tight. Doesn't say much for the people they hire.
I hope they make it right and don't screw you or your dad.

[captmatthew1]

got contacted today by the insurance company. I'm going to get estimates, submit them to the case worker, and will get a check shortly after. So at least things are working out. Truck is going to a frame shop, body shop, and a mechanic to go over it with a fine tooth comb for any problems that the fall may have caused.

I'm guessing somewhere in the 5k territory. big chunk of change for the poor old girl. But she is a tough old broad, and this lil boo boo won't stop her

[captmatthew1]

well...here are some damage photos







you can see that my bed is skewed to the passenger side. also (not pictured) the bed apparently buckled and the camper mounts i have smacked the back of the cab.

so much for my great rocker panels huh

oh well, i will be getting estimates to have the truck fixed and be submitting them to walmarts insurance company

[Tacoclaw]

If I were you I would delete every single word and pic you've posted here of the accident. All it would take is for their lawyer to google "Walmart Cummins lift fall" and they'd be reading this in no time and writing you a bill.


Unlike us, lawyers are actually paid to do stuff like that, so don't think they won't.

Sorry about the truck, man, hope it all works out.

[RumbleFish]

X2. And fix your clutch switch while you're at it!

[BobS]

Insurance companies rarely pay more for damages to a vehicle than what they consider it worth. Their settlement payouts rarely exceed 10% over the TRADE IN value of a vehicle. Their thinking is that this is what you would have gotten for it if you would have traded it in. They also use bonified auction results from BRICKS & MORTAR dealer auctions and NOT EBAY.
Based on trade in value on KBB.com your truck trade in value ranges from $2594 thru $2994.
http://www.kbb.com/dodge/d250-regular-c ... -in#survey
Private party sale value ranges from $3649 thru $4324.
http://www.kbb.com/dodge/d250-regular-c ... -in#survey
Interesting to note is that 1992 is the earliest year listed. Based on the above I would guestimate the most you should expect to see is somewhere between $3000 and $3500. This is why some folks choose to have a declared value incorporated into their comprehensive value on their insurance policy. Technically speaking based on non internet based market values {aka EBAY & Dodge based forums] your truck is most likely considered as a total loss. If they go this route it may be worth asking them for an equivalent replacement truck with similar options.

And by all means, best of luck to you!

[oldestof11]

FWIW, nada.com and edmunds.com give higher estimates and that is what dealers around me use.

[captmatthew1]

While I understand the insurance standpoint, even if it is considered a total loss, the truck is not replaceable. My dad gave me this truck. That sentimental attachment can not be replaced. Rest assured, no matter what, this truck will be repaired

[CumminsPower59]

IIRC, depending on the Insurance company, if it is declared a total loss, you could buy it back from them, get a salvage title on it, take the cash you get from them and fix 'er up I have done it before, along with several of my fiends. So what if it has a "branded" title, it won't matter because you know what happened to it, and you got the pictures to prove it. It's not like it got wrapped around a tree or something and was rebuilt by "Mr. Hackjob Joe Schmoe". I wouldn't buy a salvage title vehicle without having documentation and pics to show the extent of the damage. Farmer use to haul grain for had beat up 2nd gens for years, one day he has this bran spanking new 06', salvage title. Bought it from a broker who sells wrecked, theft and flood vehicles. The truck was stolen right off the dealers lot and taken for a 1400 mile joy ride. Not a thing wrong with it, but a savage title was issued because of the theft. Anyhoo, hope you come out ahead on this deal-e-o. Memories attached to a certain vehicle run deep...I still want my 91 W350 back