[qapla]

OK, a while back someone hit my T in a parking lot. They did not stick around and I have to cover the damage.

Well, to be exact, my insurance has to cover it, but I have a $500 deductible, So, even though they will cover the lions share, I still have to come $500 out of pocket.

I told my insurance company and the body shop that did the estimate that it would be a while before I had the $500. They both said "No Problem" and since the truck is still drivable, It really is no problem.

In the meantime, I guess it has taken a bit longer then the insurance wanted to wait ... they sent me a check for their portion of the estimated repair cost.

I got to thinking, what if, instead of adding $500 of my money to the amount the insurance sent me, what if I used some of the insurance money and fixed it myself. Now, I am no auto body tech.

However, I do know how to work with wood. What I was thinking is this :

What about removing the bed and replacing it with a wood flatbed? What do you think? Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas etc you can offer?

:read:

 

[Scan999]

How about some pics and who wants to worry about termites?:eyebrow:

 

[Anavrin351]

that would look terrible, unless you spray it with bed liner afterwards

 

[Frank N]

Pics would help first thought though is with a 150k miles on an 07, you obvously rack up the miles, why not save the insurance money to help pay for your NEXT truck

 

[MarkD]

Pics would help first thought though is with a 150k miles on an 07, you obvously rack up the miles, why not save the insurance money to help pay for your NEXT truck

That's what I was thinking! Also, maybe check a junk yard for a wrecked truck with an undamaged bed (preferably already your color).

 

[Frank N]

and a quick search of salvage...
there is one in college park GA for $1947...

http://www.car-part.com/index.htm

 

[qapla]

and a quick search of salvage...
there is one in college park GA for $1947...

The repair estimate was only $1800. The idea is to save money.

... who wants to worry about termites?

I would use PT lumber.

...first thought though is with a 150k miles on an 07, you obviously rack up the miles, why not save the insurance money to help pay for your NEXT truck

At the moment, another truck is not possible, this one will have to last.

You are right about the miles. Part of what I do is haul cardboard for recycling. I usually pull one of several trailers I have. Sometimes, I have to take a trailer for what would fit on a flatbed, if I had one. That is why I was thinking of the flatbed.

that would look terrible, unless you spray it with bed liner afterward

Why would spraying a wood flatbed with bedliner make it look "better"?

 

[Anavrin351]

because a wood flatbed on a T would look bad. but if it was a meatal flat bed it would look altright. metal is dark and so is bedliner if you get black

 

[dwoelper]

How bad is the damage on the bed? If i were to ever get hit in a parking lot and the asshat didnt hang around or leave info id be asking everyone in the lot as well as seeing if the business has security cameras watching the lot. Id find there ***! Anyway i dont care for the flat beds especially on new trucks but its your truck dude if you like it tear it up.

-Dave

Sent from my DROIDX using AutoGuide App

 

[qapla]

... I'd be asking everyone in the lot as well as seeing if the business has security cameras watching the lot...

Only problem is ... I was in a different parking lot when I found the damage and almost 3 hours had passed. The business where I think the truck was hit did not have cameras watching the lot during daytime hours. I asked.

Anyway, I was hoping for comments and ideas on how to make a great looking and good working bed instead of negative comments.

Not sure what I will do ... have to give it more thought. :read:

 

[EastTNTitanTower]

I am going through the same decision choice with my truck.

We had a bad hail storm 2 weeks ago and my truck looks like a golf ball. No glass was broken and it drives great. The insurance company gave me a $6,000 check for the damage (after my deductible). The body shops around here are so backed up the one the insurance company uses gave me an appointment for mid-September.

Now I have until September to decide whether to fix it or just put the money in savings for my next truck. I will probably keep the truck another 4 - 6 years whether it is fixed or not.

If the truck is old and only worth $3 - 4,000 will the dings make it that much harder to sell?

If it's not one thing it's always another!!

 

[humblerb]

I am going through the same decision choice with my truck.

We had a bad hail storm 2 weeks ago and my truck looks like a golf ball. No glass was broken and it drives great. The insurance company gave me a $6,000 check for the damage (after my deductible). The body shops around here are so backed up the one the insurance company uses gave me an appointment for mid-September.

Now I have until September to decide whether to fix it or just put the money in savings for my next truck. I will probably keep the truck another 4 - 6 years whether it is fixed or not.

If the truck is old and only worth $3 - 4,000 will the dings make it that much harder to sell?

If it's not one thing it's always another!!

If you put the $6000 in your pocket, you can deduct $6000 from the resale value and be OK. If it is only worth $3 - 4000, then you would be $2 - 3000 ahead if you gave it away. As long as you don't mind what it looks like when you drive it, putting the money in your pocket is the best financial move.