Truck was stolen, need advice

[hooch4202]

Hello, I am brand new to site but came here for advice on what to do about my truck. It was stolen by a meth head and taken on a hi speed pursuit through ditch fences trees... they caught the guy(dogs ate him up like you'd never believe) So a month ago my truck goes into body shop. Entire doghouse assembly was bent upwards two to three inches from where he hit ditches and ramp up out of them. Lots of dents scratches etc. Motor was overheated, run dry of all antifreeze, and burnt up at least a quart of oil during the race. The truck is a 2004 Chevy Silverado C1500 LB with the 4.8L V8. Body shop calls and says its ready to get the engine checked out at dealership(didnt make sense to me to fix upsomething that might be terminally ill) I check it out at dealership and its visibly out of track in front to back wheel alignment, with huge differences in position of bumper to quarter panels, grill, hood, doors are askew and gapped when closed, bed it twisted where it attached behind cab. Thing just looks sick. Chevy auto guys were shaking thier headas we were looking at it,"You mean the body shop said they are done with it, or done with everything else and ready to start on this rattletrap" I got some positive feedback from the mechanics when the were listening to the motor saying its sounds bad. I am just hoping they give it a bad bill of health so I can coerce my insurance to total it. Need advice from ya'll about what I need to look for specifically when I get the finished product back for approval. What are some problems that arent as obvious to look for or expect with a truck that has been so thouroughly rode hard and crashed.

Thanks for all input in advance, Hooch

[Truckman031]

I'd look at the suspension and make sure everything is ok there. I'd also look at all the steering components. Pretty much, check out everything.

[hooch4202]

I'd look at the suspension and make sure everything is ok there.  I'd also look at all the steering components.  Pretty much, check out everything.

 

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Thanks Truckman, those are some of the first things on my lists.

[Guest chevydeerhunter]

Personally, I'd do my best to have the thing totaled. I wouldn't trust it even after it's given an ok bill of health because it sounds like there's too much that a**hole did to it that someone's bound to overlook something no matter how well they go over it with a fine-tooth comb. Sorry to hear that, man. good luck!

[Truckman031]

Yeah, I meant to add that I would do my best to get it totalled. There is a good chance that the truck will never be the same.

[kdm101]

Sounds like the frame is still bent/twisted. I can't believe a body shop would ever let a vehicle go like that. However, they're working to the insurance estimate, and when they hit that $ mark, that's where they stop.

 

My coworker went through some similar pain with his insurance after a very serious wreck in his (then) new Expedition. Rightfully should have been totaled, but they repaired it. Looks OK, but ya never know underneath. It was six months or so before he got it back.

[mudbug660]

another bad thing about fixing a badly beatup truck is that it will have a bad resale value. gotta hate that.

[Stocklook]

Another thing is, when you get it back you will have a rattletrap driving down the road.

 

IMO IMO don't fix it, let someone else have it (junk yard) for parts, This is something you don't want to Make payments on that drives like it is 20 years old.

 

You might see if you can file another claim with the insurance co , it is called a loss of value, this will only apply to new vehicles up to 1yr old

[JamesB]

Yeah, I meant to add that I would do my best to get it totalled.  There is a good chance that the truck will never be the same.

 

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There is no way that I would ever feel safe in that truck! I hope, for you sake that they total it...

 

Good Luck!

James.

[citydriver]

If it's still all twisted AFTER the body shop supposedly fixed it, I'd take it back and make sure they check the frame and then re-align the body parts. If the insurance company insists on fixing it, I would check the insurance laws in your state to make sure you get it fixed right (that includes a NEW engine IMO) GOOD LUCK

[hooch4202]

Thanks so much for all of ya'lls replies to my post. The safety thing is what is screaming at me the most. I can't say that I would ever feel safe hitching up my two most prized possesions to that truck(my 3 year old fishing partner Noah, and my Stratos bassboat) I really do appreciate ya'lls advice and after reading so many of the post I can see that I came to a place filled with a lot of experience and knowledge in reference to trucks. God bless ya'll and I hope to be able to giver back whatever I can to ya'll. Hooch

[MS3DALE]

In my opinion I would try to get the thing totalled also,who knows what you'll have trouble with in the future.

And the safety thing would also be a concern of mine.

[MS3DALE]

By the way, Welcome aboard!

[jhm]

Seems to me they should total the truck for safety issus alone. From the damage you describe, who knows what is going on with the reliability of the breaking system, steering, drivetrane, suspension, etc. I would tell them I don't feel safe driving this wreck and mention an attorney to let them know you are serious. Good luck.

[hihosilverado]

Please read this I bought a Nissan Titan last winter only to have it stolen with 3k on the clock in May of last year. The vehicle was recovered a few days later. It had no body damage but the interior had lots of blood stains and the underbody was torn up pretty bad. The rear drive shaft was bent, the gas tank was about half its orginal size and all the skid plates got a pretty test. I knew I was not gonna keep it, but the insurance company was not gonna total it since there was only about 4k worth of *known* damage. The dealer told me there could be a lot of internal damage to the axles, tranny, engine, etc. I got the service manager to write that down and sign the it on their letterhead. So, I hired an attorney and got the insurance company to give me a check for a few grand due to "loss of value." I then traded the Titan on my Silverado and got $30K trade in value and used my check from the ins. company to pay the difference between my $38k silverado and the Titan. (you gotta love the rebates). So my advice to you is to do the same thing I did. Get a loss of value claim and then trade your truck. You wont want to pay for it anymore.