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| | | Carnage! | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,170 old hand | OP old hand Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,170 | I was awakened at 1 in the morning by incessant pounding on the door to be asked by an officer "is that orange van across the street yours?". A drunk driver in a Saturn hit it in the left rear knocking it hard enough to push both right side tires over the curb and solidly on the grass. Surprisingly, only the bumper side rocker area have body damage. I was expecting to see the back caved in with it that far up the curb. Unfortunately, the wheel base (only on the drivers side) is about 3" less than it used to be. I haven't taken a good look under the front to see if an damage was done, but if it had enough force to move the wheels from center to full right lock I imagine it won't be perfect under there. There is also some damage in the interior. Things like the sub box and dink tray that went flying upon impact, both of which I finished no more than two weeks ago. Actually, I'm pretty impressed how well it held up under such an impact. Even though my wife hates the van, she feels bad about it. I still thought I would post here, because you guys would truly understand. Now the thoughts are swimming. Do I keep it and put the money towards restoration or pull all the parts out and start looking for a clean pre-'75 tradesman shortie? | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 6,256 Likes: 164 Master Metal Sculptor | Master Metal Sculptor Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 6,256 Likes: 164 | Sorry to hear about that. The picture doesn't look that bad but I guess it will depend on what you find underneath. It looks like the rear wheel has been pushed forward though. | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 11,529 Showoff of the week on Cardomain 11/26/07 | Showoff of the week on Cardomain 11/26/07 Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 11,529 | You can rebuild it. You have the technology. It can be made better. Stronger. Faster. Smoother. Cooler. Meaner. Beastier. ok that is not a word.
Sorry to hear about the damage. do not give up on her. | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 4,460 pooh-bah | pooh-bah Joined: May 2006 Posts: 4,460 | wow! i do believe id have to stab somebody. fix it!
2003 Grand Caravan Member Vanatics Van Club-Spfld, IL Member Florida Van Council Member Central Florida Vans,-Orlando, FL | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 32,696 Likes: 172 Old Timer | Old Timer Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 32,696 Likes: 172 | Sorry to hear that,could have been worse.You can fix it!
Jim & Lucy Newkirk 1965 Chevy Bad Influence 1981 Chevy-the Love Shack 2012 Chevy Van , 2020 chevy van 2020 Chevy van Sapphire Sweet. Club Vannerz. vanninvanner@comcast.net | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,254 veteran | veteran Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,254 | It could of been alot worse, go after the persons insurance to get your van fixed!!
Runnin Wild Truckers 1972 Ford E100 Shorty 1972 Ford E100 Supervan 1974 Ford E100 Shorty 1974 Ford E200 Supervan | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,007 Likes: 46 pooh-bah | pooh-bah Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,007 Likes: 46 | Bad news for sure. I think I'd wait to make any plans until you get it checked out for the TOTAL damage!
2005 E350 Turbo Diesel Why is it that when I press 1 for English, I still can not understand the person on the other end????
| | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 3,113 Likes: 2 pooh-bah | pooh-bah Joined: May 2006 Posts: 3,113 Likes: 2 | i agree with Starlord. sucks about the van | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,571 pooh-bah | pooh-bah Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,571 | Too bad about your van..damn drunks..I get drunk too but I stay at the campground & don't drive...when will people learn? I agree with Starlord. | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 5,263 Likes: 1 Blendor Of Fine Schnapps | Blendor Of Fine Schnapps Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 5,263 Likes: 1 | sorry to hear about have their ins fix it
starwars tom wyckoff interstellar space truckers I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it. Groucho Marx | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 9,854 Likes: 8 Festerus Vannimus | Festerus Vannimus Joined: May 2007 Posts: 9,854 Likes: 8 | FIX IT! oh, and HANG THE DRUNK BY HIS ___________ !
My van : 1989 Ford E-150 Econoline, currently named “WOLF-DEN IIâ€
Founder & President of Sooner or Later United Truckers and PROUD TO BE A S.L.U.T. ! !
| | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 773 old hand | old hand Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 773 | "beastier" ....I kina like that word...
runnin under the moon,,that's where i'll be.... [image] | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 28,125 Madman! | Madman! Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 28,125 | That sucks. I too agree with above. Get the drunks insurance to fix or replace the van. Way the options carefully first. If you do decide to fix it, have it done by a good shop, especially if the wheel is pushed forward. A good laser frame machine can make it better than any measuring you could do. | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,170 old hand | OP old hand Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,170 | I totally agree. It's extremely fixable. I am more worried about the insurance totaling it and not having the opportunity to fix it. Let's face it, as much as I love my van the resale value is not huge. Just repairing/painting that one panel and fixing the spring might be enough to total it.
Starlord has the same thoughts in mind that I do. Any tiny little car that could move an object that big off the street an on to the curb had to be moving pretty fast. I am wondering what damage there is that is not readily visible.
Thanks | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,207 Likes: 1 veteran | veteran Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,207 Likes: 1 | OH NO! That is horrible. At least it wasn’t a hit and skip with no witnesses. Damn. :-(
.-=[NGV]=-.
| | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,170 old hand | OP old hand Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,170 | The insurance rep just left and said in no uncertain terms that it was a total.
The good news is I might be able to keep it. I already posted on the B-van site about possible donors (D series, passenger cars etc.) for a replacement leaf spring.
Hopefully it will have a happy ending. If they just pay what it's worth.
Hey, does anybody know what it's worth? I can't find a KBB listing for '77. | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 114 member | member Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 114 | ouch, sorry to see that. hopefully the insurance will pay you what the damage is instead of the book value on the van, but unfortunately i dont think you would be that lucky. Where in CA are you? I was just in the junk yards in san diego and there are quite a few mid dodges down there, and most i think had good bodies. snip a quater pannel off of one of those along with the bumper and maybe a leaf spring if it needs it. My guess is it just slid the axle and u bolts up the leaf a little. | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,170 old hand | OP old hand Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,170 | Even if I took the guy to small claims and proved he was at fault (easy to do in a case like this) they would not award me more than value to repair even if repairs were more than that. The question is, what will they value it at?
I am in Torrance, we call it the South Bay, but there are a few of those in CA. We are at the base of Palos Verdes and the city runs up to the Redondo Beach area.
I think the leaf took the brunt of it. The front two leafs are bent up to about a 30º angle about 5" behind the eye. That's where the "extra short" wheel base is coming from. I don't see any marks like the housing pad slid on the spring. I am also worried about the axle. I tried to look at the drum and see if it was a bit closer to the backing plate, but it's tough to see back there. Once I get a spring, a quick drive should tell me if it has any new "vibes"
My biggest concern is the front suspension. I imagine this old Dodge is pretty tough and I needed to go through the bushings/joints anyhow. It does not look like anything is broken up there, but I wanted to wait until they took pics before I jacked it up and started poking around. | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 573 addict | addict Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 573 | I just caught this thread - first let me say I am sorry to hear about what has happened. If you love it, don't let them total it. Have a shop check for frame damage, but hopefully the suspension took the brunt, as that can be replaced. And on that subject, I know it might be a bit of a drive, but I was at the Sun Valley Pick Your Part recently getting a new lower control arm for my van, and I saw a white 4x4 Dodge van. I know it was pre '78 by the tail lights, but it had the later grille so I'm guessing around '75-'77. I hadn't seen a 4x4 version in person so I was checking it out a bit and the front end looked pretty complete. It might be worth at least a call if you plan on keeping yours, as this one could provide the parts needed. Incidentally I recall the body being fairly straight and couldn't understand how it came to be in a salvage yard. | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,675 Likes: 1 co-chairman, Southeast Van Council | co-chairman, Southeast Van Council Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,675 Likes: 1 | FIX IT! oh, and HANG THE DRUNK BY HIS ___________ ! His what??? Tell me please, the suspense is nerve racking. What will he be hung by? Hope things work out with the van. Sucks to have an old vehicle that is under appreciated. Even a trophy winning custom has to go through all kinds of red tape to get insurance that almost service it justice. I hate insurance companies.
Bama Vans Motto: Use It Up, Wear It Out, Eat It All!
The magic carpet waits for you, so don't you be late - Jimi Hendrix
| | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 28,125 Madman! | Madman! Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 28,125 | FIX IT! oh, and HANG THE DRUNK BY HIS ___________ ! His what??? Tell me please, the suspense is nerve racking. What will he be hung by? Nads! What exactly is a Nad? | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,170 old hand | OP old hand Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,170 | NAD = nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
Aren't you glad you asked.
However, it's possible the poster had a different definition in mind. | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 28,125 Madman! | Madman! Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 28,125 | NAD = nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
Aren't you glad you asked.
However, it's possible the poster had a different definition in mind. That just made my day Thanks! | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 18,213 Likes: 2 Supreme Master | Supreme Master Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 18,213 Likes: 2 | Man that sucks sorry to hear that
Everyday above ground is a Good Day!!! Never Stop Vannin'
Member of Break Away Vanners Host of Spring Break At Shenandoah Acres Family Campground
Owner & Creator of Wizard's Van-In Videos Member of Riding High Truckers from 1982 to 1996 2nd Member of The Toopa Sinner Tribe Member of Free Bird Vanners 1996 to Present Member of Cape Atlantic Truckers South Jersey Host Club of Freeze Out Certified Nats Judge Member of Shenandoah Valley Vans | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,170 old hand | OP old hand Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,170 | Thanks Wizard, and everyone else.
I don't think I would have been capable of a smart ass post like that yesterday, Super. I'm feeling much better now. | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 18,286 Likes: 558 | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 18,286 Likes: 558 | Beastier. ok that is not a word. Hey if Sarah Palin can make up words so can you submit it to Websters.....
SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS '93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB '92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 18,286 Likes: 558 | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 18,286 Likes: 558 | FIX IT! oh, and HANG THE DRUNK BY HIS ___________ ! His what??? Tell me please, the suspense is nerve racking. What will he be hung by? Nads! What exactly is a Nad? nuts and dick...nad
SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS '93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB '92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | Actual, "nad" is short for "gonad." From wikipedia: "The gonad is the organ that makes gametes. The gonads in males are the testes and the gonads in females are the ovaries."
Sorry to hear the van got crunched. I really wish people wouldn't drive drunk.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: Carnage! | Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,182 veteran | veteran Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,182 | Keep it and fix it. Take his marbles and hang them from the bumper | | |
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