tree vs. cucv m1008

[Lil Pete]

A new driver in my family hit a tree in the neighborhood; she's ok.
Lil Pete is not ok.
Any advise on where to start the repair process.
Not going through insurance.
A body shop guy said it would be totaled by insurance.
Want a body shop to just straighten the frame if they can.
Wondering if I should remove the front clip before having Lil Pete towed to the body shop.
Also, if the frame is not repairable, can I frame swap an 80s c30 frame cut 2wd suspension out and transfer front leaf springs etc.

 

[D6T]

Ouch! I’m not a crash specialist but I’d guess that’s about 20MPH at impact...?

I think that sure would be totaled by insurance.

 

[Welder1]

If you are going to repair it yourself I would begin by carefully removing the damaged sheet metal taking detailed pictures along the way. Save all of the parts until the repair is completed. Once you get down to the frame then seen about having it evaluated for straightening.

 

[Curtisje]

A CUCV frame from Hillbilly Wizard is $550. Shipping would be expensive I imagine but then fixing what you have won't be cheap either. Good luck.

 

[LT67]

A C30 frame is not drilled for the front leaf spring mounts. Judging by the pics, a frame shop should be able to straighten it out.

 

[ehuppert]

Generally believe frame pull is done prior to removing any panels or structure (ie rad support) . But. that question would be best answered by the person running the frame rack!

Shop will need to double check/ measure frame, bend you see may not be the only damage...... Good "older" frame guy will know what and where to look...

Probably best path is to replace frame, but that is a long involved project and not financially sound if you pay someone else to do the work!!!!

 

[cucvrus]

A new driver in my family hit a tree in the neighborhood; she's ok.
Lil Pete is not ok.
Any advise on where to start the repair process.
Not going through insurance.
A body shop guy said it would be totaled by insurance.
Want a body shop to just straighten the frame if they can.
Wondering if I should remove the front clip before having Lil Pete towed to the body shop.
Also, if the frame is not repairable, can I frame swap an 80s c30 frame cut 2wd suspension out and transfer front leaf springs etc.
View attachment 834903View attachment 834904

You can use a 2WD frame. I have converted a few 2WD trucks to 4WD and the frames are the same. I used 3/8" and 7/16" bolts to attach all the spring hangers. That frame pictured is NOT repairable. Even if it were put back into alignment it would be very weak and have numerous stress cracks. A reframe of a CUCV pick up is a very easy task. The extra work will be doing all the bracket changes. Check with Boyce equipment. They cut up CUCV's just for the axles. They should have a frame to fit your needs. Probably a few of the other parts. Good Luck. My Son's wrecked a few CUCV's over the years and I have had 2 demolished myself. Take Care and Be Safe.

 

[ehuppert]

Also, if you reframe it should be a one ton frame. Believe the 10/20 frames are different as the c channels are not as deep/tall.

Also check the transfer case (and everything else underneath) real good. Have seen front axle hits destroy transfer cases....

 

[FrankenCub]

cucvrus is is 100% on, that frame will never be right even if the best body man straightened it. The structural integrity will be gone and it will bend over time of just driving it.
Good time to start fresh with a good frame, clean blast and fresh paint.

 

[cucvrus]

I think back at all the Chevrolet trucks, Blazers, Suburban's I seen wrecked back in the day when they were a year or 2 old. Many that were wrecked like the one you have pictured were scrapped right there. I worked at a GM dealer and they scrapped a lot of vehicles that were hit hard on frames. Insurance companies cut their losses.
Some newer vehicles we fixed over the years required a 2nd and third supplement to the repair estimate. There are many things that get damaged that went un noticed. People / owners didn't want a vehicle fixed that had the frame twisted and bent.

I had a collision at the intersection 1/4 mile east of my home. The man ran the red lamp and hit my M1028 on the right side just at the bumper. The truck still ran and I drove it back home. I fixed it myself and had the frame pulled. When I went to start the truck it had electrical issues somewhere.
The big harness under the hood at the brake booster got pinched and cut and pinched a lot of wires. It was unseen on the estimate. Then after it was repaired I developed an oil leak. The left valve cover had traveled back and was sliced slightly from the steel reinforcement on the firewall. Last but not least I fixed all that stuff and drove it a week after everything was fixed. When I went around turns the oil light would come on for a second. It never came on unless you were in a turn.
I looked under it and seen where the Dana 60 housing had smacked the oil pan and also the front bolt in the axle housing was just sitting in the sway bar bracket / spring plate. It was sheared off and the oil pan had moved enough at that moment of impact to break the swedge joint from the oil pump to the pickup tube. The pick up tube was just held in by the fact it couldn't come out because the windage tray in the oil pan wouldn't allow it. This truck had 25K miles on it and I fixed it.
The insurance would not pay for everything. They gave me $8500. and left me keep the truck with an unbranded title. I was happy with that.

At this point in life I would sign the title take the check and move on. that happened twice to the same truck and both times I fixed it by changing the frame. pickups are very easy to swap the frame. I used a wheeled engine tripod / cherry picker to lift the cab with the doors still on the cab. Axles were on the new frame and no tires or wheels. Good Luck. Fix it if you want. Keep in mind hat there will be more then meets the eye on damage. Be safe.

 

[Lil Pete]

Thank you all for your input. While my decision is still a difficult one, some of my questions have been confirmed. I reluctantly have to admit that I have a great deal of emotion tied up in this truck. Each of my three kids have driven it as their commute to school vehicle. This truck has been on family trail runs, camping trips, Pismo Dunes, 4th of July Parades, it's my backup truck when my work truck is down, and it's even driven me to Jury Duty in L.A. and back 600+miles round trip. We have added a second fuel tank, installed an Excursion third row seat and seat mounting base in the bed with DOT certified seatbelts secured to a modified lumber rack with a HMMV pioneering kit mounted to it, Nostalgic Air A/C, paint and body work that my son and I did in our side yard (my wife didn't like it three colors and dented) and completely new restored interior. My oldest daughter wrote "RIP Lil Pete" on the little chalk board in our kitchen. Do other people feel like this about a vehicle and the memories made with it? What is wrong with me? It's just a vehicle. Another aspect of this is that, if I can't fix it, I doubt my wife will let me get another one. Again, Thank You for your help.

 

[FrankenCub]

I'm much the same way with certain vehicles. Like it or not, they grow on you. If I were in your shoes I think I would be looking for a good frame. From what I can see in the pictures the body is in amazing condition.
My M1008 is suffering from cancer. And I still won't put her down. I like the truck too much and I absolutely hate newer trucks. I'll patch mine the best I can and hopefully replace the roached out bed with something different and keep it alive. The driveline and frame are worth my effort.

Best of luck to ya, however you proceed.

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

I doubt my wife will let me...

No comprendo.

 

[Lil Pete]

I found a 78 k30 frame, but read something about a difference in cab mount locations? Myth or Fact?

 

[cucvmule]

You can use a 2WD frame. I have converted a few 2WD trucks to 4WD and the frames are the same. I used 3/8" and 7/16" bolts to attach all the spring hangers. That frame pictured is NOT repairable. Even if it were put back into alignment it would be very weak and have numerous stress cracks. A reframe of a CUCV pick up is a very easy task. The extra work will be doing all the bracket changes. Check with Boyce equipment. They cut up CUCV's just for the axles. They should have a frame to fit your needs. Probably a few of the other parts. Good Luck. My Son's wrecked a few CUCV's over the years and I have had 2 demolished myself. Take Care and Be Safe.

There are differences in the frames from 1 ton 4X4 to 1/2-3/4 4X4 frames being taller by 1 3/4 inches. Call John at Hillbilly Wizard to confirm. They will not ship but will load for a shipment.

 

[nyoffroad]

I found a 78 k30 frame, but read something about a difference in cab mount locations? Myth or Fact?

It's been a long LONG time but I believe it's the cab mounts (rubber part) that's different but the mounting points them selves are in the same location. Before using the 78 frame check the spring width, I think something changed there.

 

[ehuppert]

Yep, there's an issue with the height of the rear cab mounts. BTDT with a frankentruck at the shop a while back. You'd need the earlier mounts, think the change/break was in the early eighties.... Order mounts for the 78, not the 84!

 

[Maple Leaf Eh]

You've admitted to being emotionally attached, and politely I'd say that was your first mistake. You're using this as a truck, a spare vehicle in the yard, and as a learner for young drivers. It is doing exactly what you need. The whole CUCV family was intended to be repaired with off-the shelf parts, so if the cost vs benefit math look right, take it down that route. But ..... you've already admitted to being emotionally attached, and that will cloud your judgement. Be warned and be frugal!

 

[Curtisje]

I found a 78 k30 frame, but read something about a difference in cab mount locations? Myth or Fact?

Drill out the rivets on your mounts and bolt them to the new truck frame. That's what I would do. Good luck. Keep it, fix it, keep it forever. If you get rid of it you be another one of those guys saying "I wish I hadn't gotten rid of my CUCV."

 

[Lil Pete]

Thanks, again. The 78 k30 frame is $1500. So my choices are to get an 85 c30 locally and bolt my crossmembers and spring mounts on it , or go to Boyce in Utah. They want $1500 for a frame also. Does that seem excessive? I guess if I go to them I can get the bumper and brush guard at the same time. I just picked up a front clip from a wrecking yard. Got a perfect chrome bumper with it (must sell it!!...NO chrome on Lil Pete! Ugh!).