FLIPPED my van...

[treeplanter]

hey guys.

about 20 hours ago i flipped my van onto the driver side on a logging road in northern ontario... i failed to negotiate a sharp turn on a downhill and the car's back end slid out and when it was about to come to a halt, i tipped on the side. I made it out with just some cuts and a sore arm but i think the van is probably done for. I'm not sure though.... I had to walk for 26 km until i came across a truck that drove me to pavement... so pretty miserable six hours. i had to get a truck from the local mill to tow it out because it was in the middle of an already poor resourse road.

I only have liability insurance with icbc so thats a closed route. I'm wondering what you guys think i should do. I'm getting it towed to a shop south to sudbury to replace some fluids and see if it will start. If so great. but i have some serious panel damage. the passenger window, mirror and right side crystal light roofs are shattered.

Do you think a capable auto body and custom glass place could work on my ride? or is this a salvage yard case?

all the best

treeplanter.

[Mr. Flibble]

I am glad you are ok!

My guess is that the van will be salvageable - but you might want to upload pictures so the more experienced forum members can give you a better idea.

[ShaneA]

Sorry to hear about your accident treeplanter. Good to hear no serious damage was caused to yourself.

I'm pretty sure a decent body shop could do wonders with the body, but it'll be costly. The glass work for the crystal lights may be more challenging though. You should check the usual dealers on here to see if they have any body panels and glass on a parts vehicle. Depending on the damage that may be the cheaper way to go.

Good luck and have a safe trip getting her home.

[delicat]

I don't know my friend, it depends if your pillars have been affected. If it's only body panel it's no bid deal, I'm not even sure if I'd bother doing much to them... I'd probably save my money and consider myself lucky it's still driveable. If your pillars are affected then chances are you're in for some bad news. Might be time to consider converting it as a pickup!

But seriously, good thing you're safe and sorry for the long walk. I'm sure we can help to ship you some of the glass without problem. Panels just pull them back in place (suction or the like) but just make sure she won't rust on you from the damages. Don't spend too much of the finition, you'll have an excuse for not being too stress with body damage while offroading in the future...

Take care,
David

[jessef]

You're okay and that's what matters.

Like David said, if the pillars/unibody suffered any crumpling, repair may not be an option or it may be more costly than getting a new Delica. It's all relative to the amount of damage.

Take it at least to two different shops to get an estimate if you can. Very competitive and sometimes one quote can be far off from another.

Yeah. Hard cornering in the L300's can easily put itself on it's side with the tail kicking out if you're not on it that instant. Glad you're in one piece.

[mararmeisto]

Getting the Crystal Lites replaced is pretty much a non-option - there's simply too much glue holding the edges together for any salvage yard to remove the glass from one vehicle in order to install it into another. Only real option is to remove what remains and weld-in some sheet metal.

[fexlboi]

Getting the Crystal Lites replaced is pretty much a non-option - there's simply too much glue holding the edges together for any salvage yard to remove the glass from one vehicle in order to install it into another. Only real option is to remove what remains and weld-in some sheet metal.

Apparently you can buy new Crystal Lites for not that much $ as I thought. Don't remember the price though.

A friend of mine crashed the driver side of his l300 and because it doesn't have separate panels, the whole side got cut out from a other Delica and with the magic hand of a bodyshop his van looks like new again. BUT there was no structural damage and it was covered by ICBC. Final bill was around $7000

[treeplanter]

hey thanks for the kind words and advice guys...
i didn't think the glass could be replaced. and to be honest, i doubt i can afford the body work.

I'm just going to change the fluids and get it home with some plastic sheeting covering the broken windows. Do you guys think there will be much demand in salvaging the usable parts and elements of the van? hopefully i can mitigate my losses by a few thousand.

all the best

faraz.

[mararmeisto]

hey thanks for the kind words and advice guys...
i didn't think the glass could be replaced. and to be honest, i doubt i can afford the body work.

I'm just going to change the fluids and get it home with some plastic sheeting covering the broken windows. Do you guys think there will be much demand in salvaging the usable parts and elements of the van? hopefully i can mitigate my losses by a few thousand.

all the best

faraz.

The engine alone is worth the effort. Salvage what you can - don't let ICBC have it.

[Meanman]

I'd be interested in the limited slip rear and maybe the A/C compressor if you decide to part it out. What colour is the interior?

[treeplanter]

yeah i'm definately not going to just scrap it. aside from the glass and the panels i think its in great condition. I just wished i had purchased the comprehensive insurance... i was planning on doing so once i got back to bc before i took it south to baja california.

in any case. I have to finish this planting contract and then i plan to grab it from the shop and bring it back home.

[treeplanter]

i was gonna ask this in my last reply, but do you guys know of a particular shop that might be interested in taking the van off my hands for salvage?

[jessef]

Mardy at Amazing Auto in Richmond/mainland
Glenn at Coombs Auto in Coombs/island

[treeplanter]

well just heard back from the shop i had my van at. turns out my engine is toast... either a cracked block situation or a blown gasket. in either case i can't drive her home. it seems i'll have to part with it at a salvage yard in sudbury.

thanks for all your help guys.

[jessef]

are they certain that's what it is ?

Seems odd that you're driving it one day, tip it over and now your engine is toast.