Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: tracksoup on December 06, 2017, 12:50:54 PM


Advertise Here
Title: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: tracksoup on December 06, 2017, 12:50:54 PM
Unfortunately,I hit a deer Thanksgiving night on our way home from Thanksgiving dinner. I just found out today they are going to total my 2006 Nissan Titan 4x4 with
95000,00 miles. As the title says the airbags deployed (not sure I’m a airbag fan after this) the passenger airbag actually cracked the windshield severely. It seems the damage the airbags did to the dashboard and interior is a big reason for totaling the truck. The trucks exterior has brush guard , hood, fender and bumper damage but is still very drivable. According to my insurance I can keep the truck for $12,500 pay out or take the $14000 pay out if they take the truck.
What to?
I’ve never been in vehicle when airbags deployed
Is it worth keeping the truck and getting the airbags and interior put back together? Or is that crazy expensive?
The exterior damage is fine for now. I can live with it.
Also I understand it has to be inspected after it is deemed totaled?
Any advice or wisdom from others that have experience in this is welcomed!
Truck is not leaking any fluids.
It is the LE Package. In/was  in mint condition.
New BFG TA tires
Deer was a 4point whitetail (sorry no deer pics)
Thanks in advance for any input

Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: Special T on December 06, 2017, 12:56:31 PM
It may be just a runner as it would have very little resale value after being deemed totaled. My brother purchased a ranger with a totaled title just fixed the damage and drove it... pretty sure he didn't replace the air bag either.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: Buckmark on December 06, 2017, 12:58:12 PM
If it was me i would take the 12k, keep the truck and fix it and drive till it dies, if and this is a big IF the rest of the truck is in good safe condition.
But also because i can do the work myself and still come out  about 11k all said and done.
Then i would take 10k of the money and invest it into something, if you are debt free that is.

But thats just me.
Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: jackelope on December 06, 2017, 12:58:37 PM
Most or all of the airbag components need to be replaced when they deploy in order to make it right. Airbags, pretensioners, airbag module, clockspring, inpact sensors, etc.
You can figure $3000-$5000 to do it right. And then it's a salvage and that will ruin any resale value.

Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: tlbradford on December 06, 2017, 01:07:33 PM
That sucks that the brush guard didn't save the rig.  Someone else can speak up here, but the salvage is only for title and nothing else is required if it is only used for your personal use.  Then just scrap it.  There is zero reason to repair and/or try to resell.
Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: tracksoup on December 06, 2017, 01:13:26 PM
Will I be able to license it if I don’t replace/repair the airbags? I’m fine with out airbags. drove many years without them.
My seat belts quit working also?
I’m assuming something needs to be re-set
Also I’m fine not reselling it. I would just drive it until it dies. I’m just struggling with letting it go with under 100k miles. Lots of life still left in it
Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: Buckmark on December 06, 2017, 01:44:33 PM
I cant  answer 100% on the air bags, call the state patrol inspection department for that answer, i wll say i have had vehicles come through for buyers inspections that have salvaged titles and are missing air bags, covers are preset just nithing in them. Seat belts will need replacing
Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: CP on December 06, 2017, 01:53:38 PM
I’d take the $14K and start looking at the 2018 models. 
Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: jackelope on December 06, 2017, 02:37:31 PM
Will I be able to license it if I don’t replace/repair the airbags? I’m fine with out airbags. drove many years without them.
My seat belts quit working also?
I’m assuming something needs to be re-set
Also I’m fine not reselling it. I would just drive it until it dies. I’m just struggling with letting it go with under 100k miles. Lots of life still left in it

I don't know re: licensing it either.

Seatbelts are now referred to as "pretensioners" and are considered airbag/restraint components that need to be replaced after an airbag deployment.
As far as something needing to be reset...if you don't fix it, the airbag light will be on all the time.

I'd off it and move on were it me.
Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: Bookworm007 on December 06, 2017, 05:35:03 PM
Take the 14K and run, the truck will be nearly impossible to resell, it will take you time to fix the damage and as a 2006 it is already getting long in the tooth. It can be hard to let go of vehicles, but unless it is a collectible car it is better to move on.
Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 06, 2017, 05:45:25 PM
I’d take the $14K and start looking at the 2018 models.

Or really good used trucks, $14 is a nice start.

Plus your insurance probably won’t pay out if you get in a wreck and you did nothing to replace the safety equipment the truck is supposed to have, might be costly if your seriously injured next time. :twocents:
Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on December 06, 2017, 05:50:30 PM
Try negotiating with them on the full price and keeping the truck.

Nothing to loose, but either way, if you keep the truck and are inclined, you could part it out and make way more than the $1500.00 difference, then scrap the shell...

The motor alone may bring almost that much on craigslist, especially if you leave it in so it can ge heard running, the tranny also, show the buyer it runs, drives and shifts properly then offer it for a little less than a wrecking yard.

That is what will likely happen to it if the insurance gets it and sends it through auction....

Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: bajeep93 on December 06, 2017, 09:23:14 PM
Keep it. Buy parts needed to fix it on eBay. You can’t loose.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: Humptulips on December 06, 2017, 10:33:46 PM
My PU was totaled 2005 Colorado when it had around 120,000. I had it fixed and 60,000 later I am still driving it. Air bags did not deploy but it did not have to be inspected. Totaled value is not much but I will drive it as long as I can.
I put a few thousand in my pocket and lost on resale value.
14,000 that is about what I received. Won't go far when you are shopping for a new rig.
Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: tracksoup on December 07, 2017, 10:48:22 AM
Thanks all!!
Appreciate the feedback. Still torn but still have a couple days to decide
Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: Dan-o on December 07, 2017, 11:12:43 AM
I'd think of it like this:

They are essentially willing to sell it to you for $1500. 

If you didn't own it today, would you buy it for $1500 and fix it up?

P.S.   I wouldn't ever want an airbag-eqipped vehicle without airbags.    Seems like you'd be opening yourself up to tons of liability. 
Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: rainshadow1 on December 07, 2017, 11:31:39 AM
I'd readily buy it from you for $1500... to give you an idea of my mindset on it.

I spent 10 years rebuilding salvage vehicles. I did them right, and resold them for an average of 70% of market value. I did stuff under $5k for the most part, but the idea can apply. Most all salvage titles and WSP inspections. It's no big deal.

Replaced lots of airbags. Wrecking yard airbags were readily available, some as cheap as $50, so upwards of $400 each. A couple required replacing the entire dash. Several required windshields which wouldn't have been otherwise damaged. Once the project is done, I took them to get scanned out and reset. Rarely had to re-do anything.

Your call, but I know 30+ kids who would love that for a first car! I'd use it for a "large UTV" since I usually have several passengers in the field! Takes all kinds!
Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: Calvin Rayborn on December 29, 2017, 12:23:07 AM
That's the worst buyback price i've ever seen...Sure it wasn't $1250?
Title: Re: Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??
Post by: Calvin Rayborn on December 29, 2017, 11:55:21 PM
That's the worst buyback price i've ever seen...Sure it wasn't $1250?
Oh, wait, 12,500 AND you get to keep the truck... Heck I'd go for it if the rig was otherwise sound  :twocents:
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal