Totaled my Cruiser...

[William]

I've got a 1986 FJ60. Owned it for about three years. I wanted to catch a late fall trail day in October, so I got together with another buddy and his 'Cruiser to run a trail out by Naches, Washington. We got caught in a pretty decent squall which turned the 8 inches of fine silt on the trail to a super slick goo... So, I was traversing a fair angled sidehill with a downhill grade, and found that my Goodyear MTR's aired to 15psi don't do squat for traction in slick snot, and slid off the trail wedging myself pretty well into the uphill side a tree. Damage to the driver's side rear door, B-pillar and quarter panel, roof and rain gutter where the tree ripped off the roof rack. Ugh. The wife wants to get a new rig altogether because she thinks the compromised B-pillar may be a danger in an accident... Any insurance company would total the thing, but I'm going to drive it with the damage for now, and not make a claim on it. Would probably get more money by selling it for parts than All State would pay out... I'm super bummed about this. I spent about 8 months looking for this FJ60, and I have really loved owning it. I'm into this thing about $10k, including the price of the vehicle. It's got new brakes, bearings, clutch, carb, intake/exhaust, multiple new gaskets and seals, recent knuckle rebuild, etc.

What's the consensus here that the compromised B-pillar would prove to be a danger in an accident? IF I was hit on that side, knowing that the pillar has already been compromised and pushed in 2-3 inches already, and that I routinely carry my daughter in the back seat? Would it prove to be no issue, or should I use this as an excuse to pick-up another rig?

 

[GTKrockeTT]

total it out, get the check, buy the rig back at a discount, have a fabricator build up an internal cage.

 

[Mr. Leary]

Sorry to hear about your truck's boo boo. Sounds like you are attached to this rig. Might be time to install an interior roll cage for peace of mind, and spend some time working on the body. Don't know the extent of the damage... but if it is really bad, you may try sourcing another donor vehicle and swapping parts, but you would be surprised what can be repaired.

My $.02

 

[sami]

post #2 is good advice..

 

[stioc]

If you do get a cage, make sure it's well padded. Personally I'm not a fan of cages in street driven cars that carry kids and family around - that's just me.

 

[TangoBlue]

total it out, get the check, buy the rig back at a discount, have a fabricator build up an internal cage.

Agreed, and stronger than before if properly tied into the frame.

 

[zukrider]

post #2. my brother got rear ended in his pos samurai, they gave him a check for 1400 and the buyback was less than $100. got rear ended again, 2 months later, check was 1100, buyback less than 50. the check could pay for the cage!

 

[adrenaline503]

I'm not a fan of internal cages in passenger or road vehicles either. I would imagine there is some structural damage and personally wouldn't risk it with a child in vehicle. Why risk it right?

 

[Root Moose]

Sounds to me like your got a great cache of parts for your next '60.

The body is effed, get another non-running example from the south west and transfer your parts.

 

[WoldD90]

Total it, build an internal cage and use it as a trail only truck... Use the rest of the check to buy a new to you Cruiser. Then you have the best of both worlds.

But, if you pad everything properly, you would be fine having kids in it. Most of us used to ride in the back of our parents car with no seat belt, laying on the back deck.

My Hard top Defender has an internal roll cage, from the factory. I have the factory pads, which are thick rubber and I actually feel safer with it in the truck.

 

[William]

I've never been interested in having an interior roll cage, and I've got no room to do any major parts swaps... Time to start the hunt for another vehicle. 100 series, maybe?

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

There may be higher insurance payout than you think. I do stated value via State Farm on rigs like Land Cruiser. I've seriously banged up and dented B pillars several times and never had an accident again but not overly worried about it. www.metaltechcage.com (somewhat nearby for you) makes a weld in internal cage for a 60 series. Call Mark or of LT and feel free to mention my name if you'd like... They are exceptionally high quality as I've installed their FJ40 cages before.

 

[redthies]

Total it, build an internal cage and use it as a trail only truck... Use the rest of the check to buy a new to you Cruiser. Then you have the best of both worlds.

But, if you pad everything properly, you would be fine having kids in it. Most of us used to ride in the back of our parents car with no seat belt, laying on the back deck.

My Hard top Defender has an internal roll cage, from the factory. I have the factory pads, which are thick rubber and I actually feel safer with it in the truck.

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!!:sombrero:

 

[brained]

total it out, get the check, buy the rig back at a discount, have a fabricator build up an EXTERNAL cage.

Fixed that for ya.