My son's 97 was involved in a minor fender bender with a Toyota SUV. No one was hurt, thankfully, except my wallet!

The damage on my son's truck appeared to be a peeled off front fender bent back to the drivers door and a buckled hood at the headlight. When they removed the hood, you could see the whole front of the driver's side engine compartment had piched back about 3" pinching and killing the battery and pushing the rad hose into the a/c compressor. The estimate to repair is $4,200.

Allstate has declared the vehicle totaled and has claimed the value to be about $3,800. My question to the board, is this a fair estimate?

It's a 97, short cab, long bed, 2.3 l, automatic, power everything except cruise with 93,000. Thanks for any responses.

P.S. Seeing that my son was at fault, we'll be getting our settlement less $500. What does $3,500 buy these days? And don't respond a 97, short cab, long bed,...

 

Are you keepin the truck?

Are you mechanically inclined & lookin to put the drivetrain in a donor Ranger?

Howbout some pics of the wrecked truck?

I know your area of FLA and stuff is pricey down that way, but I would say that $3500 should buy a 99 or older Ranger even in that area............

My Son bought a 99 Ranger stepside, 3.0, 5spd for $3000 a year ago, but that's in TN.

GOOD LUCK in your search!!!

 

I know near me (Wisconsin) there is a '97 with a 4.0, 5 speed, 2wd, short cab, short box, with 110K for $3,500 with a fresh paint job.

 

I know where there is a 2wd splash, 4.0, 5 speed in decent shape for $1800, I just don't have the money right now.

 

Mechanically inclined?? No, but I don't mind sweating and crankin bolts. I've been to my share of junkyards pulling bumpers, or installing my other son's grill guard on his Ramcharger.

I would guess the engine on it is perfect, just put an alternator and new radiator and hoses on it (and tires) all within the past two months...gulp!

In Florida, when they consider your truck a total loss, you aren't supposed to get it back. I'm sure there are loopholes, but I don't think I will put that energy into it.

sorry, no pics.

 

If that is the Case, I would not have a 94 Ford Ranger XLT 2WD on a Salvage title from Florida.

 

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SORRY, didn't mean to offend with the "mechanically inclined" question!

You don't get it back FREE, the insurance company usually will sell it to you reasonably, so they don't have to auction it. I do know that some states after they are totalled, will tag them as a "PARTS ONLY" vehicle, and then a person can purchase it & use drivetrain & ect. in another vehicle.......

Just givin ya some options if you can get it reasonable..............

FYI: I purchased a 80 Toyota LB 4X4 for $500 as seen below, that they totalled due a gauge wire short, they claimed it was only worth $2100 and the appraisal was $2600, they told the owner, I knew him, that they would give him $2100 or $1600 & he keep the truck, he didn't want to mess with it anymore, so I bought it...............it cost me a $3 roll of 10ga wire & 30 mins to fix

 

Interesting, about 2 months ago my son was involved in an accident between his 97 Ranger and a Toyota SUV. He was at fault, hit the rear quarter of the yota, and the ranger damage on the front driver side pushed in the corner about 4 inches, smashing the battery, bending the fan, breaking the power steering pulley and cutting a wire or two. Drivers side airbag blew, but not the passenger side one (there was no disable switch on this 97) Sounds very similar to your son's wreck. My son was found to be at fault, but I only had liability insurance, so I get no compensation for the damage to the Ranger, but I get to keep it A 4x4 short cab 3.0 AT. I've been able to pull the corner out , looks like I need a radiator and a power steering pulley to be able to run the engine any length of time. I am not a skilled enough metal worker to get the metal close enough to put new front clip on it, but right now I plan to keep it either to drive through the woods and collect firewood, or as a donor if I find another with a wasted powertrain.

Can't help you on whether or not the insurance company is giving you a good deal but if nothing else, know there is someone else out there with very similar circumstances. All that matters is that our sons are ok

 

Believe me, you did not offend. A man needs to know his limitations, and I know mine. I try to compensate it with being a good judge of fairness and character. The two people I have to have absolute trust in are my mechanic and my dentist. Once it is broken, I have to move on.

Thanks for the options.

 

That is just freaky!

Mine is not nearly that damaged. Literally, if you could pull the front corner out, put a new battery in it should run just fine. The front bumper did not have any damage other than the paint being left on the top of it from the Toyota! I don't know what the front clip is, but they mentioned it needed a new one.

Of course it would need a hood and divers fender also...

 

When my Ranger got totaled the insurance co told me they go by other vehicles within 300 mile area of your home. They don't use blue book anymore. Do a search on auto-trader in your area and print out the 3 highest priced equaled vehicles. If they’re more than the insurance co came up with STAND YOUR GROUND!!!! At first they only offered me 7,000.00 and 2,500.00 to buy it back. But after a month of arguing with them they settled for 11,750.00 and 500 to buy it back.

Also, make sure you tell them about any parts, tires, etc. you recently replaced or added prior to the accident. They will have to add those into the settlement. Find your receipts and send them copies.

Hope it all works out.

 

Thanks Rev, I will do just that! I've got all my receipts.

 

Take Rev's advice. They are supposed to compensate you enough that you can buy an identical vehicle. Check Auto Trader, print out ads, and if they try to short change you, tell them you will complain to the state insurance commissioner (believe me, they will listen to you then).

That said, $3800 sounds a tad low for that truck, but not too far off.

Also, if the truck has any modifications, you may be able to claim those in the settlement. I know my insurance covers modifications up to $1000.

 

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OK, glad I didn't offend ya!

Front clip is a reference to the whole frontend (hood, fenders, bumper, grill, etc.), unfortunately a Ranger has the radiator support & inner fenders spot-welded together, and takes some weldin & such to change it out........I bought one (94) as a parts vehicle a few months ago that had been hit lightly in the front (hoods dinked, RF fender, grill, & bumper were gone, and dash had been raped out of it), I gave $175 for it, and the remains of it are behind my garage for future use if needed.......

I sold the 2.3L engine, 5spd trans out of it, and am goin to use the doors & bed on my Son's 93 Ranger when he's ready to paint it.............and I rebuilt the leaf springs and used them on my 94 Ranger when I put the 98 Explorer 8.8 disc braked rearend in...............

GOOD LUCK on whatever you decide!!!

 

Alan - Thanks for the advice. My only fear is that they would jack my insurance rates to compensate for the dollars that I claim above the settlement amount. What do you think?

 

Rev - Thanks for the advice. With the tires added I received another $260 on my settlement.