EastoutWest
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- July 26, 2010
- Messages
- 121
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Middle of Carolina
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 91 4x4 5spd XLT
Hey everyone,
So I was driving through an intersection when a 17 year old girl in a compact toyota jumps the gun and turns into my driver's side rear wheel. Tried to swerve but I couldn't avoid her. The impact kicked out my rear end, causing the right rear wheel to hit the curb. The passenger tire immediately broke the bead on the curb. Both wheels are significantly bent up, the driver's side rear quarter panel is smashed behind the tire, and there are actually tire rub marks on the driver's side frame rail. I was able to put the spare on and drive it home but with some serious wobbling from the rear end.
It's a 91 4-door with 5-speed, manual transfer case, manual hubs and tow package (including 3.73 limited slip). It was in pretty good condition, my only vehicle and my reliable workhorse. I chronicled her re-furb here a couple years ago.
So her insurance company totaled it and I have accepted their offer of $2341 less the $200 "salvage value" to keep the explorer. I think that's fair as it wouldn't have sold for $2300 before the collision. Which brings me to my inquiry here.
The collision shop estimator didn't bother to check the condition of the axle but I assume since the axle was impacted first from the driver side (moving it enough for the tire to rub the frame), then from the passenger side (sliding into the curb with enough force to bend the rim and break the bead), the axle is probably damaged. Shocks may have been damaged too... Also, my explorer was already in need of some front end and engine gasket attention.
The money comes at a good time and I need it. So I need to get back on the road for less than 1200 but a ranger would be better for me right now. I have some options I'm thinking of and would value your opinions:
I think the engine/trans/transfer case would swap for '88-'97 rangers. I would love to get an extended cab ranger with a blown engine or trans and swap as needed but not much luck there for a 4x4 below $1000. I can find 2wd, automatic, extended cab rangers all day though... would explorer axles swap in easily? What about my manual pedal assembly?
Another option (and the cheapest) is to just get used wheels and an axle (which I have been able to source locally).
Yet another option is to get a parts explorer (with the right axle) and swap as needed. Do you all know if the 2-doors ever came with the 3.73 gears? I have this vision of a 2-door sport-trac style frankensploder down the line. (I would really like to have a truck bed). Would be cool to drive a 2-door anyway, I hear they are more fun to drive.
I'm getting a bit of analysis paralysis and would really appreciate your thoughts.
So I was driving through an intersection when a 17 year old girl in a compact toyota jumps the gun and turns into my driver's side rear wheel. Tried to swerve but I couldn't avoid her. The impact kicked out my rear end, causing the right rear wheel to hit the curb. The passenger tire immediately broke the bead on the curb. Both wheels are significantly bent up, the driver's side rear quarter panel is smashed behind the tire, and there are actually tire rub marks on the driver's side frame rail. I was able to put the spare on and drive it home but with some serious wobbling from the rear end.
It's a 91 4-door with 5-speed, manual transfer case, manual hubs and tow package (including 3.73 limited slip). It was in pretty good condition, my only vehicle and my reliable workhorse. I chronicled her re-furb here a couple years ago.
So her insurance company totaled it and I have accepted their offer of $2341 less the $200 "salvage value" to keep the explorer. I think that's fair as it wouldn't have sold for $2300 before the collision. Which brings me to my inquiry here.
The collision shop estimator didn't bother to check the condition of the axle but I assume since the axle was impacted first from the driver side (moving it enough for the tire to rub the frame), then from the passenger side (sliding into the curb with enough force to bend the rim and break the bead), the axle is probably damaged. Shocks may have been damaged too... Also, my explorer was already in need of some front end and engine gasket attention.
The money comes at a good time and I need it. So I need to get back on the road for less than 1200 but a ranger would be better for me right now. I have some options I'm thinking of and would value your opinions:
I think the engine/trans/transfer case would swap for '88-'97 rangers. I would love to get an extended cab ranger with a blown engine or trans and swap as needed but not much luck there for a 4x4 below $1000. I can find 2wd, automatic, extended cab rangers all day though... would explorer axles swap in easily? What about my manual pedal assembly?
Another option (and the cheapest) is to just get used wheels and an axle (which I have been able to source locally).
Yet another option is to get a parts explorer (with the right axle) and swap as needed. Do you all know if the 2-doors ever came with the 3.73 gears? I have this vision of a 2-door sport-trac style frankensploder down the line. (I would really like to have a truck bed). Would be cool to drive a 2-door anyway, I hear they are more fun to drive.
I'm getting a bit of analysis paralysis and would really appreciate your thoughts.
