bq93
Joined:
Jul 2002
Houston, Texas
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I have an ’88 that was basically T-Boned. The pillar that the passenger door latches to was basically crushed in about 4-6 inches, and the rear passenger side quarter panel is toast as well. Can this be pulled out, or cut and replaced? I have a donor car for all of the necessary parts.
Also do you know of any good shops around Houston? I’m not looking for fast, but good and reasonable.
The car is in good shape other than this and I'd like to save it if possible.
Thanks
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TCorBUST
Joined:
Nov 2001
Manchaca, TX
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Some body shops can do amazing work, but chances are it won't ever be quite as good as it was.
The insurance company may not even give you an option since the book value is low. They'll just give a check based on that value.
'88 TC 5sp, K&N cone, t3.60/.63, ported head, Felpro 1035, Walbro 255 hi pres., Kirban FPR., 3g Alternator
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bq93
Joined:
Jul 2002
Houston, Texas
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Thanks for the feedback. Insurance already totaled it, but I got it back. I know it won’t really ever be the same, but this care has deep, deep sentimental value, and I just can’t let it go. It has less to do with the car I guess than it does with me.
If anyone knows of a great shop anywhere near Houston/Austin/Waco it would be appreciated.
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bq93
Joined:
Jul 2002
Houston, Texas
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Just something else to consider.
I have thought about using the donor I have and just transferring every possible part I can off of the donor car. Basically it would be the interior, fenders, hood, grill, engine, tranny, rearend, and everything except the frame and the VIN Number.
This way I could put the money towards upgrades or better paint. I think this would be cheaper and actually take less time, I’m just afraid it won’t be the same. I don’t normally get attached to cars and I’ve bought and sold more than I can remember, it’s just this particular one.
Has anyone ever experienced a similar situation?
Thanks
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Nitro_X
Joined:
Mar 2003
West Plains, MO, USA
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Yes, I had a similar experience with a Toyota pickup. I went to sleep one night and parked it in the woods at about 45 MPH. Insurance said it was totalled but it was pretty new so I had it "restored" by a local guy that specialized in rebuilding serious wrecks (he usually takes two "totals" and builds a new looking car out of them for resale). He did the frame and body, then farmed out the front end work to another shop. When all was said and done the truck handled better than new and I ended up with new paint, custom pipe bumpers, nerf bars and a custom grill to boot for my insurance money! Unfortunately for you, he's in Virginia. But I'd check around with the used dealers and see if they know of someone in your area that does this kind of work, rather than a regular body shop.
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87 T-Bird T/C, T-5 swap done, med. red, spoiler, 174K+ Mi's., daily driver, still running strong!
87 TC, T-5 swap, billet quadrant / adj. cable, solid state IVR, fog light relay mod, PST suspension, KYB-AGX fronts, Gas-A-Just rears, K&N cone, billet alum BCV, med. red, 90's wing, polished snowflakes and centers, 195K+ Mi's., daily driver, feeding on ricers!
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Chuck W
Joined:
Apr 2001
Indpls, IN,USA
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I'd just transfer the stuff to the donor. Yeah, it's gonna take some work on your part, but it will save some cash. Bolt the body parts onto the donor you want to swap. Leave the interior and engine/tranny out and have it painted. Then bolt all the trim and interior and finish the swap.... Personally I'd rather not have a car "rebuilt". It's probably never going to be right again if you do..
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Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental..
83 Pseudo-Coupe, 87 Ranger (soon to be 2.3T), 84 XR7, 86 XR4 and 62 Mercury Monterey (old n slo)
NATO Member
83 TC Clone, 85 Mercury LTS, 97 Volvo 850 T5 Turbo, 78 Volvo 240, 93 F150
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