FLAWLESS Impact Orange Unlimited Rubicon 6 speed WRECKED!

default_user2 · 10-12-2008, 06:02 AM

I just wanted to share a story of my dream to own a rare Wrangler and how that dream was shot to pieces. Maybe you don't care but I had to share with my fellow Heep Geeks, and hopefully you all can share in my grief... I will keep you all informed on the updates...

My father bought an '82 CJ5 when I was 8... Ever since then I've wanted a Jeep. Well I'm now 25 and have had 4 Jeeps; a 1968 Commando and 3 Cherokee's. I've always settled because my dad always convinced me to not buy the Jeep I've always wanted.

I was tired of settling so for about a year I decided to get the Jeep I've always wanted. I say a year because not too long after I decided to get my Wrangler I got deployment orders to Iraq. This was from May to September 2008... Well I found my Jeep in July and because of the rareness of the Jeep I couldn't let it go so I had my father put money down to hold it till I got back.

Well I got back from Iraq September 25th. On Monday, 29 September I finally picked up the Jeep of my dreams! There's a few sunny days left and this was a sunny day. I didn't even get the Jeep home yet (5 miles from where I bought it) before I had the soft top down (which I honestly don't think was ever dropped). As soon as i was home I took the doors off (which have never been off).

I borrowed my dad's trailer to move my crap out of storage back into my appartment. I drove from Portland OR back to McChord in Tacoma WA. The next day I couldn't stand the chrome all over the Jeep anymore so I removed it all, including both bumpers (I was going to start building REAL bumpers that same day).

My roomie and I decided to get some Subway before heading to the storage and on the way I drove through an intersection at the speed limit of 30. In the turn lane on opposing traffic a woman with her 12 year old daughter turned in front of me at the last second which gave me no choice but to slam into her. This was on Saturday, 4 October... Yes that's right, I enjoyed my new dream Jeep that I waited YEARS to get for 5 days... The damage was much worse because the bumper was just removed and I was towing a trailer (1000 pounds of dead weight pushing me into her). Good news is she was 100% at fault. I was literally the only other vehicle in the area and she turned in front of me as I came through the intersection, so she just must not have seen me. What I don't understand is how do you miss a bright *** orange Jeep!

The damage is worse than it looks. It busted the shaft off the steering box, bent the front axle, BENT THE FRAME, wasted the fender, bent the grille, damaged the body, tweaked the driver front fender (because of the frame damage) broke the mounts from the fog lights, and chipped the wheel. You can tell from the pics that the axle is shifted back back about 4"...

My dad knows the guy who owns the body shop I took it to and they said the frame damage is repairable but will be on the carfax as frame damage. Needless to say the Jeep I bought 5 days before just greatly lowered in value...

I want it back so it probably won't be driven again for a few months after I take it to legal and make them pay to fix my Jeep and pay me the difference for the value of the Jeep. I hope I'm driving it again before December...

Before (All Chromed out)

After (DeChromed but now wrecked...)

dawnskaybug · 10-12-2008, 07:19 AM

Been there done that..
Whatcha do at McChord??
Got about 7 buds from there..
The dechroming is a good thing..
And that wreck is a fender bender..
kinda week.

robncar · 10-12-2008, 07:51 AM

Hope everyones OK. Most everything can be fixed, but not people sometimes. Thank you for your service!

Thrust · 10-12-2008, 07:56 AM

Man, this is sad. Obviously, patience is a virtue you posses. Use it to your advantage now and don't make any rash decisions that could bite you in the long run. In other words, don't let the insurance co. bend you over!

gratefulneal · 10-12-2008, 08:08 AM

Dude - sorry to hear about this. You made it thru Iraq - you will certainly make it thru this. As the OP stated, thanks for your service. Your LJ Rubicon is a sweet ride - fix it slow and right. Good luck!

**2jhanna** · 10-12-2008, 08:17 AM

Sorry to hear about your dream Jeep, but you made it home safe from Iraq and thats what matters most. The can be repaired or replaced.

Your LJ now carries your Battle Scars.

kavanji · 10-12-2008, 08:34 AM

hope they can straighten the frame, the rest is an good excuise to upgrade

Bishop Creek · 10-12-2008, 10:03 AM

First of all, thanks for your service to our country (my son is in the Persian Gulf). So sad, I feel your pain. I'm really sorry to see that beautiful LJ ruined! Impact orange too, one of my favorite colors. Hope you get it fixed soon!

**BillR** · 10-12-2008, 10:10 AM

As everyone has said, THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE!. I have a son in the Navy, and I was at McChord back in the late 70s.

Sorry to hear about your Rubie. If the frame can be straightened well, the rest is just an excuse to upgrade.
I HOPE the insurance companies don't try to give you a hard time for not having a bumper installed at the time. They shouldn't, but many insurance companies are slimy that way.
Keep us posted!

**Rocky529** · 10-12-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawnskaybug

Been there done that..
Whatcha do at McChord??
Got about 7 buds from there..
The dechroming is a good thing..
And that wreck is a fender bender..
kinda week.

That is more than a fender bender.

Jeepsr4me19 · 10-12-2008, 11:09 AM

Its totaled. Might as well give it to me so I can put it out of its misery.

Ratmeat · 10-12-2008, 11:17 AM

Not to sound redundant, but thank you for your service.

IMO straighten the frame and build the hell out of it, Keep it for the rest of your life. Then the carfax frame damage means notta!

That is a damn nice canvas you have there, now paint a picture of what you're ultimate jeep should look like!

I live in Salem, give me PM some time and lets go wheeling!

RVA_TJ06 · 10-12-2008, 11:43 AM

To me that doesn't look like damage. It looks like new tube fenders, upgraded steering, new suspension. etc.

paulthejeeper · 10-12-2008, 12:40 PM

A friend of mine has an orange LJ too... Hope you get it back on the road again soon... Good Luck

**Savvy** · 10-12-2008, 02:26 PM

Have her insurance company total it and buy it back. With the money you get back build the Jeep you really want! Looks like you need a front axle, frame, suspension and assorted body parts. Since theframe damage will be listed on carfax you should not have to bear the lost in value. Just start making a stink! Insurance companies stay in business by saying NO and taking their chance that you won't become a squeaky wheel..

Did you aribags deploy? If they did, they probably will total it.

Sorry for you loss. Make lemonade from them lemons!

10-12-2008, 08:08 AM	#5
gratefulneal Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 116 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Dude - sorry to hear about this. You made it thru Iraq - you will certainly make it thru this. As the OP stated, thanks for your service. Your LJ Rubicon is a sweet ride - fix it slow and right. Good luck!