6.5L Turbo Diesel Blazer Project

[More Power]

What do you get when you combine 3 women, 3 vehicles, a boat and potato chips?

On Sunday afternoon, my daughter was driving her Blazer for the first time this year... traveling through Missoula Montana on her way home. She was about 3 miles from the Interstate here, in pretty heavy city traffic. Ahead of Sarah was a Suburban mom who had stopped behind a car that was making a left turn. Sarah stopped behind her, with at least a car length between them. Coming up behind Sarah was a 2002 Ford Econoline van and boat with a distracted driver. The woman said after the accident that she had been eating potato chips... when this happened... Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt.



It was a hard hit, hard enough to do the damage you see below plus it broke the driver side seat (folded rearward). Sarah saw that the van driver was coming too fast, but the traffic didn't allow Sarah to dart out into oncoming lanes or switch to the right lane, so she braced for impact and laid on her horn. The boater didn't hear that either. Sarah's mom and I were behind the boat in our Malibu following Sarah home. We had a front row seat.

The boating lady accepted responsibility for the accident and was tearful in her apology. Kudos to her. Sarah, being the professional, told the boating lady that it would all be OK.



So, the Blazer took damage on both ends. Fortunately, there were no fluid leaks as a result, even though there was impingement in the oil cooler area.



This is the last thing the boater lady saw before impact...

The rear suffered the most expensive to repair damage. The spare tire was pushed into the rear gate, forming a "V", which shattered the rear hatch glass into a million pieces. The rear bumper was tweaked and the receiver hitch was tweaked a bit as well. Of course, the spare tire carrier folded.

The potato chip lady's insurance agent has already been in contact with Sarah, indicating that this 31 year old Chevy Blazer will be considered a total loss, from their perspective. Right now, the Blazer is sitting at the same shop that painted Lil Red in 2004. I know the owner pretty well. No final settlement has been discussed yet, but I know that the Blazer will be repaired. I don't know yet if the big parts are available.... I did see a mid 1990s 4-door Tahoe for sale in a parking lot on the way home... It had the parts we need...

Well, it looks like there's more life to this Blazer story yet to be told! And, who knows, the rebuild may allow us to make it even better.

[arveetek]

Oh, that's such a bummer! I'm glad everyone is okay! But it's sad to see the Blazer damaged.

That's one of my fears of driving my old Tahoe. It's basically irreplaceable at this point, even though I'm sure my insurance company will think it's only worth a few thousand dollars!

I'm confident you all will be able to bring the Blazer back to even better condition, though.

Casey

[a5150nut]

I had GMC K2500 extended cab 46k on the clock. I was in San Jose traffic on a Friday night headed back up to Paradise to leave out of Sacramento Saturday morning for Virginia for two weeks vacation. Traffic as far as I could see had stopped and most behind me had stopped. We were just starting to move again I was in low first gear creeping. Out of the commuter lane came a 76 Buick wagon 65 mph decided to shoot the gap behind me for the off ramp. He caught my right rear bending the one ton rear axle and pushed the bed into the right rear of the cab. Broke the drivers seat. I got on the brake but it still drove me 75 feet with all four wheels locked up. I managed to miss the vintage Mercedes in front of me and the new one left of me.
I jumped out figuring I had a few seconds I could beat on the guy that hit me. But he was bleeding from his nose and left ear, right arm jammed into the steering wheel and obviously broken with bone protruding. His left leg was pinned by the dash and unable to move. When the first CHP arrived he only glanced at the driver, I was the only one making sure he was still breathing until the ambulance arrived.

Back then there was a cottage industry of people that would trade cars when it came time to renew because at renewal Californika required proof of insurance but not for initial registration. Tow truck driver told me about it when we were hauling my truck in. I had company tools in my truck so I had to wait for our equipment manager to come pick them up and wait for my wife to drive 200 miles from Paradise to come pick me up.

The next day spent cramped up on the plane the soreness set in. Spent my vacation at a chiropractors office.

Then to top it all off the guy tried to sue me for causing the accident. He was sighted at the hospital after the accident.

Truck should have been totaled but it was only 2 years old at the time and many damages weren't found until they had got into it. Finally got it back into pristine shape.

[Yukon6.2]

Jim
So glad that your family is all safe and OK
I am glad to see you will repair the Blazer, the damage on the Blazer that should total out the truck, but insurance company's are not there to save vehicles anymore. They are disposable.
My X's car was going to get totaled for a drivers door that was dented. no other damage. Car was 12 years old, 30K miles i had just bought it for her and was basically a 12 year old new car, had sat in a seniors driveway it's life.
I am driving a 2013 Traverse that was totaled for a dented drivers door. it's been adjusted to open and close but still has the door. You really have to look twice to see the dent.
Such a waste of vehicles, should not be allowed.Such a waste of resources and the carbon footprint of the built vehicle is totally ignored when it is scraped instead of rebuilt.

[arveetek]

...but insurance company's are not there to save vehicles anymore. They are disposable.

The issue comes down to money - the cost to repair the vehicle vs. the cost to pay off the policy. It does not take a big job in a body shop to quickly exceed what the vehicle is "worth." Auto body repair is very expensive.

If the insurance company can pay off the policy to the policy holder, then sell what remains of the vehicle for salvage and keep that money, it makes more financial sense vs. repairing/rebuilding the vehicle.

It stinks, but that's the way it is.

Casey

[More Power]

Thanks guys. Yesterday, while trying to get some idea about the availability and cost, I found the major parts on eBay and Amazon that the Blazer will need. Looks like $1000-1500 should get the parts (some new and some salvage). We're still waiting to hear from the insurance guy what any sort of settlement might be offered. Sarah was assured she could keep the Blazer regardless of how it turns out. Now, it's just dealing with busy people and phone tag...

[arveetek]

Sarah was assured she could keep the Blazer regardless of how it turns out. Now, it's just dealing with busy people and phone tag...

We had a Honda Pilot that was severely damaged by a deer strike. My insurance company "totaled" the vehicle (was too expensive to repair.) I opted to "buy it back" from the insurance company. This simply meant they subtracted a certain amount from the check they were offering me. I kept the vehicle and got a check as well. Since the title never had to exchange hands, it was still a clear Missouri title. However, the Car Fax report showed that the vehicle was reported as a total loss by the insurance company.

I fixed the Pilot myself by being patient and waiting until I found matching body-colored repair parts from local salvage yards. I was quite pleased with the results. However, soon after I got it back on the road, the transmission started slipping. I ended up selling it for a discount, albeit with a clean title. I did tell the purchasers about the collision and subsequent repairs, though.

Casey

[Yukon6.2]

Here is a picture of my Traverse with the dented door, it had 100000 miles on it.Traverse.jpg JJ photo bombed it
A bit of readjustment on the door and its been back on the road for a couple years now,and that will be the extent of repairs on it.

[More Power]

We had a Honda Pilot that was severely damaged by a deer strike. My insurance company "totaled" the vehicle (was too expensive to repair.) I opted to "buy it back" from the insurance company. This simply meant they subtracted a certain amount from the check they were offering me. I kept the vehicle and got a check as well. Since the title never had to exchange hands, it was still a clear Missouri title. However, the Car Fax report showed that the vehicle was reported as a total loss by the insurance company.

I fixed the Pilot myself by being patient and waiting until I found matching body-colored repair parts from local salvage yards. I was quite pleased with the results. However, soon after I got it back on the road, the transmission started slipping. I ended up selling it for a discount, albeit with a clean title. I did tell the purchasers about the collision and subsequent repairs, though.

Casey

Thanks Casey,
Haven't seen the money yet, but Sarah was offered enough to keep and fix it. I spoke to the auto body shop this morning, and it looks we're on track there too. His examination of the Blazer isn't quite complete, but he did see some "repairable" damage to the right rear frame rail. He said it's not a big deal. They've had a frame table for a long time.

I suspect there will be a mix of aftermarket and salvage items. I'm perfectly OK with good used parts.

The insurance company told Sarah that while the end result won't include a salvage title, it will appear that way on sites like CarFax. Doesn't really matter in this case. Sarah has no intention of parting with it.
Jim

[More Power]

Here is a picture of my Traverse with the dented door, it had 100000 miles on it.Traverse.jpg JJ photo bombed it
A bit of readjustment on the door and its been back on the road for a couple years now,and that will be the extent of repairs on it.

You're right. That is a good looking dog! It's crazy how the industry is willing to total a car with so little damage.

[More Power]

I had GMC K2500 extended cab 46k on the clock. I was in San Jose traffic on a Friday night headed back up to Paradise to leave out of Sacramento Saturday morning for Virginia for two weeks vacation. Traffic as far as I could see had stopped and most behind me had stopped. We were just starting to move again I was in low first gear creeping. Out of the commuter lane came a 76 Buick wagon 65 mph decided to shoot the gap behind me for the off ramp. He caught my right rear bending the one ton rear axle and pushed the bed into the right rear of the cab. Broke the drivers seat. I got on the brake but it still drove me 75 feet with all four wheels locked up. I managed to miss the vintage Mercedes in front of me and the new one left of me.
I jumped out figuring I had a few seconds I could beat on the guy that hit me. But he was bleeding from his nose and left ear, right arm jammed into the steering wheel and obviously broken with bone protruding. His left leg was pinned by the dash and unable to move. When the first CHP arrived he only glanced at the driver, I was the only one making sure he was still breathing until the ambulance arrived.

Back then there was a cottage industry of people that would trade cars when it came time to renew because at renewal Californika required proof of insurance but not for initial registration. Tow truck driver told me about it when we were hauling my truck in. I had company tools in my truck so I had to wait for our equipment manager to come pick them up and wait for my wife to drive 200 miles from Paradise to come pick me up.

The next day spent cramped up on the plane the soreness set in. Spent my vacation at a chiropractors office.

Then to top it all off the guy tried to sue me for causing the accident. He was sighted at the hospital after the accident.

Truck should have been totaled but it was only 2 years old at the time and many damages weren't found until they had got into it. Finally got it back into pristine shape.

I agree, anger comes first, but then the reality of the needs of others take over. You're a good man...

[DickWells]

I've been rear-ended twice, while stopped at intersections. First time, early 80's, at a light, 3'rd car back, by a truck driver in a Cutlass. We didn't have a cop, but I insisted on getting all the info and making a report, because his wife had just removed her seat belt and skinned her knees on their dash. Moths later, my insurance went up. Checked with the insurance company and they said it was because of that accident. The state had put points on my licence! We called and they looked it up. Apologized, took the points off and I got a reduced premium.

The second time, was at a stop sign, steep downhill, onto VT - Rt 7 (same example road as first rear-ender. I was first car (testing a new 89 Blazer, with sailsman in the right seat). Waiting for N-bound traffic to clear, from a light about 200 yards, south. Blam! Almost drove me out to the traffic, but, I had my foot on the brake and I naturally jammed it hard, while my head was still going backwards. Another danged Cutlass! No city cops available, but a young state trooper , south-bound on 7 was right there. Turns out, the Cutlass was uninspectable, had no brakes and was being driven by a young woman who had the car's owner, (drunk?), in the right seat. She saw me rubbing my neck, so, when the trooper asked her if she was injured, she said: "Yuh, I'm ----in dead, alright?" It went downhill for her, after that. I saw that trooper at a funeral, a number of months later and he told me that "they" threw the book at her.

I drove back to Shearer Chevy, less than a half-mile, north. And had a report of their estmate in hand, when I headed home in my own car. $3000.00+. Huh! It was ironic that my neck-massaging was actually for the 3-day-old DIY thingy that I'd done at home. The rear-ending only exacerbated what was already there. The trooper stopped and checked on me, first and I'd assured him that I was okay, but that girl behind me was, I guess, convinced that I was gonna cause he trouble. The Vt SP, didn't need my help for that. It's something that I always think about, when I see 2 or more vehicles, parked too close together, or, a picture like Jim's. A wreck like 5150's is cause for a much more dreadful reaction and Jean and I have seen many. It's not lost on me, that I've been lucky, so far and that your daughter and all involved, were fortunate, too, Jim. Thank God you haven't gone through what Jean and I have, with Holly and here's hoping and praying that none of you ever have to.

[More Power]

The insurance company came through, and paid the claim - and were excellent to work with. Kudos to them. The auto body shop had been given a sheet with links pointing to the Youtube video and this forum about the Blazer before the ins agent came to inspect. That may have helped with the settlement.

[Robyn]

Most important part is that Sarah is OK
Looking at the pictures the damage is not all that bad.....
I have seen far worse come back from the Valley of the shadow of death
A fresh tailgate will fix a lot of the damage for sure.
Does not look like the rear quarters were hurt ???

Sounds like the shop knows what they are doing....A good thing,

Around here IF the frame is damaged at all the ins co. will total most rigs.
A friend had a Ford Expi that took a hit in the front end that bent the frame horns....
Ins co totaled it....
Shops would not touch it...
We used a large tree as an anchor and hooked our 1 ton air hoist to the bent parts.....ADDED TENSION.....Then applied a bit of "Thermal assistance" with the flame wrench and things came right back into place.....
A rattle can of black paint and the new bumper bolted right up without any shimming.....

Gonna be great to see the pics after the rig is all fixed......

[Yukon6.2]

I have straightened a couple frames with good results...
A 01 Tahoe that rear-ended a semi trailer with 6000 miles on it. Bent up one frame horn not from actually hitting it but from the rad support hitting the trailer pulling the frame rail up. Used my backhoe to straighten that one.
I have a 8500 Topkick that is a fire truck with 10000 miles on it that i nave to straighten the frame on , might be this summer. Plan on using my lowbed and a frame table. Block and chain the Topkick to it and winch on the frame where it's bent.
I enjoy saving vehicles, the fact that so many are totaled for no reason is a waste of resources.My car, one pickup, and my tow-truck have all been rolled. My theory is once a vehicle has left the road and rolled, it trys harder to stay on the road as it has the memory of what happens when you leave the paved surface...

[Robyn]

Yeah buddy....IT'S ROUGH OT THERE IN THE WEEDS...

Sad that insurance companies will not pay to get a frame fixed...Nope...Total it...

I have seen some ugly wrecks brought back to where you could not tell they were ever
messed up.

[arveetek]

Here's my Honda Pilot from a few years ago that got totaled:




The hood, fender, grille, and passenger door were all damaged.

Here's my redneck "frame" puller (the Honda was unit body construction) pulling some wrinkles out of the front inner fender structure:





Here's the end result; all body panels I found in matching paint from several different salvage yards; I ended up with one dent in the plastic bumper cover I couldn't get out; everything else popped out with the help from a heat gun:





I was pretty pleased with the results of this backyard body shop work!

I'm glad things are progressing well on the Blazer, Jim!

Casey

[a5150nut]

Now that's the first time Ive seen a high lift jack used like that.

My son had a 240Z he stuck the nose under a passing pickup load of fire wood. Bent the right side of the frame rail down. I barrowed 6in H beam about 3rd weight and used some chain and a hydraulic jack to get it back to useabel.

[More Power]

Most important part is that Sarah is OK
Looking at the pictures the damage is not all that bad.....
I have seen far worse come back from the Valley of the shadow of death
A fresh tailgate will fix a lot of the damage for sure.
Does not look like the rear quarters were hurt ???

Sounds like the shop knows what they are doing....A good thing,

Around here IF the frame is damaged at all the ins co. will total most rigs.
A friend had a Ford Expi that took a hit in the front end that bent the frame horns....
Ins co totaled it....
Shops would not touch it...
We used a large tree as an anchor and hooked our 1 ton air hoist to the bent parts.....ADDED TENSION.....Then applied a bit of "Thermal assistance" with the flame wrench and things came right back into place.....
A rattle can of black paint and the new bumper bolted right up without any shimming.....

Gonna be great to see the pics after the rig is all fixed......

The folding driver's seat broke and laid flat on impact (not supposed to fold flat). She's got a bruise on her leg as a result, but she'll be OK.

Many pickup/SUV owners here in Montana drive all the time with a gnarly ball hitch plugged into their receiver hitch. I suspect it's to warn tailgaters (or potato chip eaters). ... Sarah had a nice soft 245/75R16 to cushion the blow... (sarcasm...)

The sides of the Blazer are perfectly OK. No distortion of the rear quarters that I can see. The frames on these 1500 series rigs are only about 1/8" thick steel in a C-channel. So, a hit can distort the C-channel downward, but may not affect the top of the C-channel. We'll see... but I'm not expecting a big deal. In any event. the body shop can put it on the frame table and check it and/or correct it if necessary.

[a5150nut]

I remember reading about seat backs collapsing way to easy. When I was rear ended my seat back broke. There were several studies done but I never heard if anything was ever changed in design or minimum specs.

Found this

Why Are Car Seats Failing?

According to Cantor, the federal standards are so low. This is why almost all car seats meet or exceed federal requirements. The test to pass the federal standard involves putting a brace across a seat, attaching it to winch and pulling. What’s shocking is that car manufacturers are aware of the low standards and have known about seat failures for a number of years. However, they don’t want to do anything to improve them due to cost. In fact, one General Motors engineer being deposed in 1996 said strengthening them would cost “on the order of a dollar or so.”
The Consequences of Seat Back Failures

Because paralysis and fatalities can occur when seat backs fail, it is a huge concern that you would think car manufacturers and the government would be as concerned about. Because the seat standard is inadequate, advocates have been trying to get the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to require stronger seats to help protect consumers. However, nothing has been done about it to date, and the seat standards are over 30-years-old. In fact, NHTSA does even require a test for seat strength; however, they have required an upgrade for the head restraint standard that has taken effect in newer cars from 2011 and newer.
What’s scary is that consumers don’t know if they have a strong seat or a weak seat in their vehicles. And the sad reality is that nine children have been killed as a result of seat back failures, according to a CBS News investigation.
If your child or family member was injured or killed as a result of a seat back failure in a car accident in South Florida, you need to learn about your legal rights and have someone advocating for you against the auto manufacturer. Please call the Law Offices of David Benenfeld at (954) 677-0155 to speak with an experienced accident attorney in a free consultation today and learn how to hold the manufacturer liable.