wrecked truck on Tuesday

[veltex]

Hi all, havent been on in a while, been busy. This is what happens when someone is driving HUA. Damage seems worse than in photos, whole front wrap is junk, frame is bent on pass side(I hope its fixable), car swung around after main impact and slammed bed on pass side, cab is pretty good - bed flexed forward and dented back some, doors still open great no broken glass, all engine goods up front are gone, tran cooler, condeser etc., radiator, fan, victor polished waterpump (dammit), hood hinges did a number on heater motor area, hope all new front end stuff is good, sway bar is gone and idler arm and tie rod ends. The kicker is the driver at fault had no insurance or license, and I only had plpd, was waiting until truck was totally done and bugs worked out before full coverage, which was pretty recently, live and learn. I jumped right out, without a scratch, the old girl did well by me(love the new shoulder belts now). Anyway sorry for the long post, I think I have the parts lined up, will have to settle for 67 front wrap, I can get a frame but I hope I dont need to, how much straightning can these frames take? the pass frame horn up front is way bent and the frame damage tapers off as it goes in, when you look in the wheel well on pass side you can see the flexed paint on frame. Anyone with similar wreck reconstruction experience I could use some opinions, thanks

[spencra]

That really sucks the biggest a$$. It's always the drivers that have no insurance or liscense. I wonder why they don't have their liscense and insurance in the first place. Damn s#!tty drivers.
I feel for you man, I cringed when I looked at your truck but she did do well by protecting her owner. Give her lots of love and hope to see her on the road again.

[Canadian694x4]

Sorry to hear. At least your ok, and hopfully it can be repaired...

[lolife99]

Put it on a different frame if it won't lazer align. My '71 swb is the result of a "bad attempt" to straighten the frame. My wheel base is off from one side to the other. Also see how much the frame straightening is going to cost. Might be cheaper to do the frame swap. Save it if you can.

[Hunter]

Dude, that SUX. That is (was) a CLEAN C10! Tell you what, I'll hold the guy and you hit him, then we'll switch for awhile. It hurts to see something as clean as your truck turned into, well, what it is now. I feel for you. Sincerely. What's the point of having LAWS regarding insurance if they don't ENFORCE them??? Don't get me started. Too late.
Hope you can get it straightened out or find another (maybe better??!?) one. H.

[veltex]

The guy didnt speak english, I guess he couldnt read english and the sign that says "cross traffic does not stop", he pulled out from a stop sign right in front of me from my right side, very little time to try and stop from 50 mph or so in aprox. 50 feet, after I lifted put on brakes veered slitely to left and said "what the *#@! " it was over. I really feel sorry for the truck, I am the fourth owner 140k original miles one a 68 BB air cst, the disc conversion probably got me slowed to 40 in that short time. How about you guys that have done some frame straightning? are you out there?

[spencra]

I would love to see his vehicle. So give us the scoop, what kinda damage did you inflict?

[Blue Beard]

I would have put some serious hurt on him.....

We have state mandated insurance, but they don't enforce it. I believe the state should be liable for it if they mandate the insurance and fail to enforce the law.

Hope everything works out to get her back on the road..

[toms68cst]

Wow that sucks. Sorry about your truck. Someone here recently fixed up his 67-68 after a wreck. (I can't rember his handle) He has a maroon 67 or 68 and did a nice job fixing his truck up. I hope you can get yours fixed reasonably.

[jostrans68]

well if you need a 68 frame i have one its yours I will be cutting it up this summer good luck Jack in Tacoma

[BraveDave]

Nothing makes me madder than irresponsible people who put others at risk. They wipe you out and then just shrug their shoulders and say "sorry". Does the law do anything. NOPE!! Is there no justice? The only thing worse is a thief.

[veltex]

his car was definetly totaled, it was a mid sized four door, contact was driver fender and door, the 68 wanted to go over it I think, the driver front wheel was still attached and was horizontal on the ground-rear wheel not far behind, if it didnt push off to pass side no telling what next, I pulled on driver door no dice, fire department got it though, if I had only left for work a little earlier or later, my truck was a sweetheart, hope I can get it fixed. Thanks all

[veltex]

jostrans, thanks, I will look at one tommorow that is local and let you know.

[veltex]

Oh, and I was pulling my work trailer also, so that added 3000 lbs plus to the package!

[krue]

That sux. Glad to see you are ok. The truck can be fixed.

[stelth2002]

veltex, I have a frame and some other parts. Im around twin falls. If your interested we could work something out. I also have some other stuff to maybe help get you on the road. Heres my phone 2085391999 if you want to.

[Americanrider]

Veltex,

I travel between Tacoma and Western Idaho to see my folks, be coming that way within a month or two. If you make a deal for some parts from this area I can bring them as far as Eagle, it'll cost ya a cup of coffee. You also might try looking into taking it to a Vo-tech school that teaches Auto Body classes. You can get body work done by the students but supervised by the Journeymen-level instructors. My co-worker put his ford ranger into a tree a few months back. Damage to the cab & bed, it only cost him $350 to get it back straight. They also give free estimates but if it's not running maybe e-mail these pic to the instructors an ask what they think. The schools aren't out for a profit, just payback for materials & shop supplies. Got nothing to loose, might as well try it.

~Boone

[Randy70C-10]

Too bad your so far away, I have a frame (8 lug hubs just like yours) that I'd give you if you needed it, but it doesn't look like your frame would be bent just looking at the pic, maybe the passenger side frame horn it any.

[Daves72'GMC]

can someone tell me what type of brass sending unit is over the top of the thermostat housing with the wire coming from it.?

[Boog]

That is the temperature sending unit mounted in the intake manifold just to the side of the thermostat housing. It comes with a mechanical temp gauge.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Thats a shame looks like she was a nice ride.. I am pretty sure I woulda killed the guy...

[veltex]

wow, thanks to everyone, this group of chevy truck folks is the greatest, I might get a chance to look at some parts today and will post later, I can get a 67 lwb that is totally disassembled, and may have my choice of two front wraps, will have to try and check frame for straight, its up on 4 barrels, the bed may be the worst part of these parts. I havent even had time to lay under mine to figure out how much damage there is yet, will do that today too.

[Don Loverink]

Id try to straighten the frame, body shops can do amazing things nowdays, replacing the frame is a lot of work and time, Im sure that could be straightened out, that happened to me last spring.......................

[OLDROCK&ROLLER]

Wow that makes me want to There's a lot of those people running around here with no insurance. A 20 year old girl was killed last week by one driving on the wrong side of the road. Glad you are ok. Merry Christmas :p

[Blue_71]

that sucks to hear that was/is a sweet truck! my 89 was totalled out in 95, and before i got it someone cut the frame off under the cab and welded a new front 1/4 on. if youd like to do that to yours, i have a frame here i could make you a good deal on the frotn 1/4.... my bumper mounts are cut off though (about 3" of frame)