What have you done to your 5th Gen 4Runner today?

What did Carmax offer you?

 

$32,000. So I'd pocket about $3500 when all is said and done.

 

Not too horrible actually...

 

Yeah, not too bad. So the question becomes do I...a) keep and repair this (hopefully correctly finally), b) sell it and get a regular car for a DD and then an older 4x4 to wheel, c) sell it and get a new/newer Wrangler Unlimited or d) sell and get a new 4Runner and hopefully the same or slightly lower payment (although that would mean an SR5 instead of the Trail I have). Decisions, decisions...

 

What I would do is have it fixed again. It'll be as if it's the first time since they're starting over from scratch. If they make it perfect, you'll be happy again. If not, take the 32K from CarMax and do with it whatever you want.

 

Not a bad idea actually. I'm just uncertain as to how much if any of this will have to come out of my pocket. The claims specialist they escalated this to said if certain things were denied then I'd have to pay out of pocket if I still wanted them done (granted if the new shop says it needs it I'm gonna argue to SF if denied). We'll see...supposed to meet with the inspector in the next 3-5 days and go from there.

 

Since this will be the third attempt, I would raise hell until it's covered 100% You pay your insurance every month, it's their job to take care of you now. If they refuse to pay for certain parts, just keep calling and moving up the ladder until you get the right person on the phone. You'll get your way, may just take a little time on the phone. If that's what it takes, i'd also drop them as soon as the repairs are made and move to another company.

 

Thanks. I agree it should be covered. A good friend said the same thing. Force the issue.

 

A good insurance company with good customer service won't make you force the issue, they'll do the right thing right away. Who are you insured with?

 

State Farm. So far they've been very good. Understanding and accommodating. Although the claims specialist yesterday didn't give me the warm fuzzies all the normal agents did. Although the guy who called today sounded understanding and wanting to make it right. So I'm hoping and cautiously optimistic I won't have to force anything.

 

Just ask for Jake!

 

Not to mention this is the first claim we've made in a decade so it's not like I'm a problem customer.

 

LOL

 

we have been with state farm for as long as I've been driving. I love our agent he's fantastic but anything above him I don't trust, we have had to push back a few times on claims but in the end were taken care of.

 

Yeah I could see maybe having to push a bit. We'll see.

 

Picked up a toy today..

 

Sharp looking both the truck and trailer, I was in the market for a pop up too, decided on a new Waverunner instead, cool off at the lake instead of the high country, yes Flagstaff, Phoenix was 120 today.

 

120 damn..

 

Finally got the ARB Single Compressor install done. Spent two days after work fabricating a mounting bracket for passenger side engine compartment install behind intake. Wired it up and gave it a test run all is well and working. Pics to follow.

 

I skimmed over your issues, and while that sucks, and while the shops should be made to fix their fuck ups... sometimes you gotta ask yourself what your time, energy, and frustration are worth. That's not even taking into account diminished value on the current rig - which you may be able to skate out of in the short term because that repair hasn't hit Carfax yet. Me, I'd sell that fucker today and go buy a new one.

 

Installed these. Not sure how I feel about them just yet. I think they stick out kinda far.

 

You know that's almost the way I'm leaning. I just can't seem to win with this truck. I'm about to just throw in the towel. Went to movie today, came out and found this in the parking lot (see pic for the new dent). I'm trying not to let shit bother me so much, but I was sick over this. Took it to the local paintless dent guys and they're really good. Problem is with its location the glue wouldn't stick and I wasn't about to let them drill a hole. They tried removing the striker and going in through there but the tool got caught on something and maybe twisted or dented something inside the body removing it. Probably not, but who knows. Nothing would surprise me at this point with all the issues I've had. This truck, while I like it, has been a magnet for issues it seems and I've grown afraid to scratch or dent it. Sigh.

And the Carfax is clean as of Monday at Carmax.

 

How does a dent in that location even happen? I would more think that could happen going down the road, big rock or something?

 

Man I wish I knew. I know it wasn't there this morning and while we did drive on the freeway a bit today, I don't remember hearing anything loud enough to have made that. The Mazda 3 I traded for the truck got a rock somewhat like that on its A pillar and you knew immediately when it happened. At first I wanted to blame the shop for it, but there's no way I would have missed that. I saw it immediately and I see it in the mirror as a constant reminder. It happened in that garage. I'm 99% sure.

 

Mine is a 2015 that I picked up three months ago and I'm pretty sure I have a dent just like that in the same spot. I will check after work. I was wondering how it got there myself. I'm sorry to hear about all the issues you're having with the truck. Definitely doesn't sound fun.

 

Thanks. Lemme know how yours is.

 

Installing LED interior @jester243 and avs vent visors (should have purchased seamless...)

 

Well just for shits and giggles I tried hitting it with a heat gun on low and then a duster spray bottle inverted. Did it 3 or 4 times. As expected I don't see much if any difference. I tried to move the heat gun back and forth 2-3" to keep it from overheating the paint. Last thing I need is to make it worse. I think it's ok, but oddly enough the dent almost seemed less noticeable after the heat and before the cold. I didn't see paint bubble or anything so I guess I'm good. I did notice a hairline scratch in the clear coat after though. Seemed to buff out ok with Scratch X so I don't think it's a crack in the paint/clear. Still undecided what to do with it, if anything.

 

I go to the avs in channel ones, I thought about the seamless but idk how well the sticky part will last.

 

Looks the same...