An unfortunate setback.. 11/6

[Bradydz]

Was driving to work, going the speed limit, and came over a blind hill, where a bus was stopped getting kids. As soon as I hit the brakes, they locked up and I started sliding toward a 12 foot drop with trees and a house. I quickly re-directed my truck to the ditch to my right, and ended up slammimg into it without slowing down at all, really. I'm fine, just 6 stitches on my face from smacking my head into the steering wheel, it could've been a whole lot worse.
I haven't really accessed the damage yet, kinda scared what I'll find. I know the hood isn't damaged.
Both fenders are flared pretty far out, with the driver side also crimped in with the bumper. The grill, bumper, and anything else below the hood is sucked really far in. Really hoping the grill is okay, since it's hard to find a new one, compared to other pieces on the truck. Engine compartment got shifted from impact, so you can see the passenger A-arm, shock, and frame, not exactly normal. Alternator got shoved into the engine compartment, which also ended up cutting up a lot of my wires (my horn started going off when I hit). I am pretty sure the engine is fine, as it was still trying to run after impact, even with the fan rubbing the shroud, and the alternator digging into the inner fender area.
We do the frame is bent, so we may end up putting a Camaro clip on it, to get discs on and get the fame straightened, killing two birds with one stone. Also, after rolling it out of the road, the frame ended up pushing against the steering box, which disconnected the assembly.
Pictures will follow.

[62 Barnfind]

Sorry to hear about your accident. Glad that you are alright.

[Bradydz]

Pics

[Bradydz]

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[Redcap]

Slow down.

[McCoyAZ]

Glad you are mostly okay the truck can always be fixed, people cant always be.


So why did the brakes lock up?

[Bradydz]

Originally Posted by McCoyAZ

Glad you are mostly okay the truck can always be fixed, people cant always be.


So why did the brakes lock up?

True, just wish it wouldn'tve happened, it wasn't like it was a short distance, I'd say about a 1000 or so feet.

Not sure, they locked up from time to time, never this bad though. The ground was wet (not raining, it rained that night). We had changed hardware, shoes, drums, and they still were locking up afterwards. We changed them about a month ago, so we didn't have too much time to look into it, with my work schedule at the time. (was working swing shift, this accident was on my 2nd day of work at a new job)

[ChiefRocka]

Thats sucks about the truck, but at least your here telling us about it ....

Could of been worse, considering kids were nearby.

[Clyde65]

Glad your ok!

[padresag]

Originally Posted by Bradydz

True, just wish it wouldn'tve happened, it wasn't like it was a short distance, I'd say about a 1000 or so feet.

Not sure, they locked up from time to time, never this bad though. The ground was wet (not raining, it rained that night). We had changed hardware, shoes, drums, and they still were locking up afterwards. We changed them about a month ago, so we didn't have too much time to look into it, with my work schedule at the time. (was working swing shift, this accident was on my 2nd day of work at a new job)

1000 ft is quite a ways for locked up brakes to carry you, if you were doing the speed limit. are you sure that your brakes worked at all. and you want to put a camaro clip in it now?
ron

[LostMy65]

You reacted appropriately by assessing the alternatives and did your best to crash where there would be the least harm to yourself and others.

Glad you're okay.
Posted via Mobile Device

[duallyjams]

Ouch glad your ok. I know your pride is hurt a little about your truck.

[Bradydz]

Originally Posted by padresag

1000 ft is quite a ways for locked up brakes to carry you, if you were doing the speed limit. are you sure that your brakes worked at all. and you want to put a camaro clip in it now?
ron

A more realistic measurement would've been about 300-600 feet, but you understood what I meant, I slid for a while. Yes, I need to get the frame straightened out somehow, the clip would also get me disc brakes, too.

Originally Posted by LostMy65

You reacted appropriately by assessing the alternatives and did your best to crash where there would be the least harm to yourself and others.

Glad you're okay.
Posted via Mobile Device

Thank you man.

Originally Posted by duallyjams

Ouch glad your ok. I know your pride is hurt a little about your truck.

I'm glad too, and you are absolutely correct. It was pretty hard seeing my truck that way, and not breaking down about it, especially since it was my daily driver, and now I have to find a car to drive, with under a thousand to my name. I've got great credit, but since I just changed jobs, I was turned down on a loan for a Neon because the banks require a 6 month minimum at a job. I just quit last week for a better job, and I was there for well over a year.


Just went and checked finally, my grill looks to be fine, so at least my GMC hood and chromed grill isn't damaged, they're harder to find replacements for down in Southern Oregon. Elsewhere too, I imagine.

[woodscavenger]

The description of "my brakes lock up from time to time" makes me a little nervous. Hope you get it figured out on your rebuild

[MikeS.]

Dude, nice battle scar the chicks will dig it good to hear you're OK.

[Captainfab]

I'm glad to hear the personal damage is minimal, and that you were able to somewhat 'choose' where to crash. At least no one else was hurt.

Your truck is damaged, but it is not beyond repair. If your frame is bent, I would seriously consider other options before choosing a Camaro subframe. A '71-'87 C10 front disc brake assembly will actually do a better job of stopping your heavy truck than the smaller Camaro disc brakes.

[ol_skool_chevy]

On the Bad side The dent looks like hell, but on the Good side the Stitches are a Improvment ..Hahahahahaha..
Always look to the bright side

[Bradydz]

Originally Posted by woodscavenger

The description of "my brakes lock up from time to time" makes me a little nervous. Hope you get it figured out on your rebuild

Well.. yeah. It was never this bad, I always had an exit to aim and cease braking whenever it happened before (occasionally a simple left turn would lock up when tapping the brake..), but this one had no real clean exit. And it will be figured out, I'm done with those old-fashioned drums.

Originally Posted by Woogeroo

ow!kwitit!

Glad yer ok... yeesh.

Good job on the controlled crashing!

A shoulder harness is your friend.

If ya think you can rebuild it, you may want to add it to the budget.

-W

Thank you, I'm glad it ended up working out that way, never realized I could think that fast.
And yes, There will definitely be some harnesses on that truck on the rebuild. I'm sure the lapbelt wasn't the thing that stopped me from coming out the windshield, it was the huge steering wheel wrapping around my body!

Originally Posted by MikeS.

Dude, nice battle scar the chicks will dig it good to hear you're OK.

My girlfriend laughed when I told her what you said. :P

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I'm glad to hear the personal damage is minimal, and that you were able to somewhat 'choose' where to crash. At least no one else was hurt.

Your truck is damaged, but it is not beyond repair. If your frame is bent, I would seriously consider other options before choosing a Camaro subframe. A '71-'87 C10 front disc brake assembly will actually do a better job of stopping your heavy truck than the smaller Camaro disc brakes.

We took a look yesterday, one side is curled over almost 3 inches..
That does sound like a better option, my dad and I were discussing that as well, and it seems to be the easier of the two options (both finding a clip, as well as doing the work). I'll definitely keep that in mind when we get down to business. Hopefully soon, I want to get that thing back on the road, the way it was meant to be!

Originally Posted by ol_skool_chevy

On the Bad side The dent looks like hell, but on the Good side the Stitches are a Improvment ..Hahahahahaha..
Always look to the bright side

[Blessed66]

The next time my financial manager rolls her eyes at me when I mention spending money on "safety essentials," I'll refer her to this scenario...

...but also, I should not try to include a total LQ4/T-56 swap in that money figure.

[gofastnut]

Sorry about your truck, glad you're OK. Metal will bend back into shape, a lot of parts on people don't...

[1963c-10]

Ouch....glad your ok. Truck will need a little work. Thre grill looks like it twisted pretty good. How bad is the frame? What kinda master cylinder are you running....single or dual? And im guessing 4 wheel drum?

[Bradydz]

Originally Posted by Blessed66

The next time my financial manager rolls her eyes at me when I mention spending money on "safety essentials," I'll refer her to this scenario...

...but also, I should not try to include a total LQ4/T-56 swap in that money figure.

Feel free. I knew what I was driving wasn't safe, but I didn't really think anything would happen.
Yeah, that may not work.

Originally Posted by gofastnut

Sorry about your truck, glad you're OK. Metal will bend back into shape, a lot of parts on people don't...

Easier to find replacements on trucks, as well..

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Ouch....glad your ok. Truck will need a little work. Thre grill looks like it twisted pretty good. How bad is the frame? What kinda master cylinder are you running....single or dual? And im guessing 4 wheel drum?

I still haven't gotten around to stripping the truck down, but it really looks like the grill is okay, if not, just a tad twisted. The support behind it took a lot of the blow it seems.
One side of the frame is rolled over a good 3 inches, the other is bent about 2 or 3 inches outward..
Single, with 4 drum, yes. Stock there, just new shoes, drums, and hardware. within 2 months. But they locked up before too.

[MARTYZ]

Glad no one was hurt, as far as your brakes you don't by chance have a slight axle seal or wheel cylinder leak somewhere. A little brake fluid or gear oil mixed with a bit of brake dust will cause wheel lock up. Have to agree with Captain Fab on the front disc upgrade, get the truck brakes. Alot less work and right brakes for your truck when done.

[Sillyoldman]

There's a whole bunch of CSI fans here cracking me up. If you all pool your money you may be able to hire DR Henry Lee. I'm just glad the guy is OK and his truck appears to be repairable.

[Blessed66]

Originally Posted by Bradydz

Feel free. I knew what I was driving wasn't safe, but I didn't really think anything would happen.
Yeah, that may not work.

Oh, without a doubt. I cringe everytime I hit the brakes on my 4 wheel drum truck - and that's with it just on low speed limit country roads. During the day. With no rain in sight!

Last time I took it on a 65mph highway, I took a short moment to pray that I wouldn't need to make a panic stop.

Glad you're ok. Remember; a car/truck can always come back from a total, but people only come back as zombies.