2021 was off to a great start lol

[gbritt89]

I should know by close of business tomorrow whether they're going to total it or try and repair it if the lady I spoke to in claims was correct on her timeline estimate.

The new shop has recommended it for total loss and valued my truck at $22,000 from what I was told. The new collision centers supplement repair order which I was told they cannot provide me at this time was "over $18,000".

The manager of the initial body shop had to meet with the new body shop and a USAA rep yesterday to see the frame and bed damage, and discuss how this oversight happened and might be losing their status as a USAA preferred collision center from what I was told by USAA. So there's a plus, my experience might save someone later on from going through something similar with them.

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[JimH]

Well then you're doing it wrong.


(good luck btw)

Only problem with your comment it that isn't a "real" Mini - it's a BMW "thing" that they call a Mini. Here's a "real" Mini .. (me and my racer in England, 1972)..

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Only problem with your comment it that isn't a "real" Mini - it's a BMW "thing" that they call a Mini. Here's a "real" Mini .. (me and my racer in England, 1972)..

Hi Jim,

I crewed for a Mini back in the day, We went from the 1071 to a 1275, but with a three main bearing crank...what a pain to work on.... we did win a few races, but the scared knuckles every race convinced me to avoid going racing in a Mini!

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retire

 

[JimH]

Hi Jim,

I crewed for a Mini back in the day, We went from the 1071 to a 1275, but with a three main bearing crank...what a pain to work on.... we did win a few races, but the scared knuckles every race convinced me to avoid going racing in a Mini!

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retire

I raced in Mini Miglia class - 998cc. Had a 1/2" thick metal bar across the center main bearing, and still had to rebuild mains after every race! When I came back to the States in '74, I bought a '64 Morris Cooper 'S' - had a 1074cc, which I replaced with a 1275. Really enjoyed it.

 

[gbritt89]

OP - I can only speak to this part

" Does anyone have experience in removing aftermarket items on a total loss vehicle? If not.. will insurance company factor in everything I have done to truck and have receipts for that is affixed to it?? I probably have 2-3000 put into my truck in decent upgrades (linex spray in bediner, 3m window tint, bfg AT's x5 and full size spare, carhartt seat covers, ford TBC kit and more)"

In my experience, if the vehicle is in the hands of the insurance company, they will not let you take parts off of it. However if you can get the shop to let you come and take/replace parts or you can do it in between while you are moving it around, that might work.

As far as getting aftermarket upgrades covered (also just my experience) the insurance company needs receipts and it had to be within the last year, they were flexible a little. This was AAA

I emptied the truck out today completely, even took the damn owners manual lol. I left the seat covers and the weathertechs in it just to protect the interior in the off chance they decide to move forward with repairs however unlikely that may be. After a lengthy talk with claims today I would say that chance is less than 1% since i'm sure they documented on their end I brought up the diminished value aspect.

Shop said they are cool with me coming back to take the remaining items, my emergency services license plates and even said I am free to yank the trailer brake controller if it's totalled. But with how cold it's going to be locally in the upcoming week when I will have an answer, I don't know if I even want to tackle that or just leave it on since I would be having to do it out in the open.

Might be at a loss on the tires. But if they pay off 22K on a truck I paid 23.5k for i'm not going to lose sleep over it.

Their valuation of 22,000$ was done based on the mileage it had at the wreck! In essence aside from interest and negative equity from trading in my Ford Escape I couldn't stand I will have paid 1500$ to drive a ranger since October 2019, and my monthly payments were essentially paying off debt from an Escape I couldn't wait to escape from

 

[gbritt89]

Today was the day! They have determined it is indeed best to cut their losses and have submitted me an offer as a total loss settlement.

I am amazed by how quickly this all happened when all it took in the end was threatening an attorney to get involved and taking it to a reputable collision center. I should have done these two things 14 months ago!

With the upgrades and the condition of my truck factored in I was sent an offer this morning for $23,592.73 factoring in that it will come with all the OEM tow package equipment I had added after my purchase, window tint and the bed liner.

I am slightly amazed that this number is $92.73 more than I financed my truck for in 2019, but I did keep it immaculate, and as stated before the offer is based off the mileage at the date of loss...

USAA confirmed with me that I am free to yank the BFG's and the trailer brake controller. I have until 5:30 PM monday to swap out the tires and remove the ford/redarc brake controller kit. So in the end I am happy.

Hopefully someone buys this truck cheap and has the time and materials to build it back up right. I will surely miss my ranger and am currently uncertain if I will find a Ranger XL with tow package in for near the same amount, but I will make every effort to be back in a ranger before getting into something else.

I am open to getting a new ranger anywhere in the country if anyone sees a 2020 or 2021 XL with tow package for under $25,000 feel free to post here. I will catch a flight on a set of days off to get into the right truck at the right price.

 

[gbritt89]

Last picture of it I took. Won't be taking another of it when I see it next, too damn cold in TX right now and it's snowing outside my house lol

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