Rolled my Rubicon! Need advice

[CatalinaTheTJ]

Absolutely tragic start to the new year. I rolled my ‘06 rubicon (78,000 miles) after the shoulder gave out on a dirt road. It was a slow roll and I wasn't moving when it happened. It was on its side for about 4 hours and 24 hours later I was able to start it up just fine, let it run for a couple minutes and shut it right off. 5 days later the auto body shop I am getting an estimate at tells me it won’t start and they won’t mess with mechanical issues. It was towed from accident to shop and I’m not sure if there are issues with transmission or suspension. Airbags didn't deploy and there doesn't appear to be frame damage (though I am not 100% certain). Mostly cosmetic damage, few rips in the soft top, bend fenders, dented hood, missing mirror, etc.

I’m looking for advice. Is it worth trying to repair? Should I just let insurance win and just call it a loss? Reasons it wouldn’t start after it was already able to start after accident? Experience fixing your own rolled jeeps?

This jeep means the world to me and I’m going to do everything I can to get it back and better than ever, but if its a lost cause id like to know before I commit to buying it back.

 

[Apparition]

Did they say anything about what it was doing when it wouldn't start?

 

[CatalinaTheTJ]

Did they say anything about what it was doing when it wouldn't start?

They said it wouldn't "turn over". Could be as simple as a dead battery from them leaving the lights on or something. But without it in my driveway I don't know for certain. Just hoping their isn't some other major reason it won't start.

 

[JeepDrivesBest]

Sounds like it could just be a dead battery from sitting or them leaving something on - I'd get it back and check the simple stuff first before assuming the worst.

 

[Apparition]

They said it wouldn't "turn over". Could be as simple as a dead battery from them leaving the lights on or something. But without it in my driveway I don't know for certain. Just hoping their isn't some other major reason it won't start.

Better get over there with a jump box and see what's up.

Get it running and with some new fenders, hood, window frame and windshield you'll likely have your nice Jeep back.

 

[GATORB8]

The estimate will be good to have from the body shop, depending on budget and how bad you want to avoid a salvage title, so you can get a gauge on what all you'll want to replace. From my understanding, you won't have to blindly accept the quote/totaling, and may be able to keep from taking the total/salvage if you can get the repair under your state's total limit percentage. To clarify, it may be worth coming out of pocket on second hand replacement parts to get the repair down to something coverable.

 

[Woodrow]

Better get over there with a jump box and see what's up.

Get it running and with some new fenders, hood, window frame and windshield you'll likely have your nice Jeep back.

I agree. Looks like a soft roll and so the frame and tub hopefully are fine. If so, fix it and keep jeepin'

 

[jeepguy03]

I'd bet on it being something simple like a battery from sitting, especially if the battery was upside down. A friend rolled his XJ, and it even ran for a few seconds upside down. We got it back on its wheels, checked the fluids, and it started right up. If yours started right up, I doubt anything is hurt in the engine. Seems like there is more to the story here, or the battery is dead and the shop just didn't want to mess with it.

 

[Weasellee]

I would definitely plan to fix it. Whether they total it or not it will be ok, I believe.

 

[John Cooper]

I would get to the body shop and boost it off. Well worth checking out and like others have said probably not a big deal

 

[suicideking]

Agree with above, see if you can jump start it. Maybe the lights were left on by the tow company, etc. It doesn't look that bad in the pics.

Though I'd see what insurance wants to do. If they want to total it, I'd want to know how much to buy it back as a salvage.

 

[macleanflood]

Fix it! I frame and tub swapped my 97 TJ in eight days and took it on 1600 mile wheeling trip to Canada and back down the WABDR.

I see a good excuse for aluminum fenders!

-Mac

 

[MtPockets]

Fix it! I frame and tub swapped my 97 TJ in eight days and took it on 1600 mile wheeling trip to Canada and back down the WABDR.

I see a good excuse for aluminum fenders!

-Mac

That's what I'm thinking- time to make the wish list and go for it.

 

[B1Toad]

Plus you now have a great pic for your avatar.

 

[bucky]

That’s Ride of the Month right there. Totally fixable. Pun intended.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

I would have thanked the tow truck guy for standing it back on its feet, paid with my CC and drove it home. If the windshield wasn't so bad I'd still be driving it while checking if I could get those fenders to look decent and waiting on a new hood.

I know insurace has a purpose but I'd hate to see that end up with a rebuilt title.

 

[Gilaguy23]

Im surprised the shop wouldent even throw a jumper pack on it considering how long shops take to get things done. Hell, you could probably pull the fenders back up by hand and drive it home. Its stupid what little it takes to "total" a vehicle these days. Fix it and enjoy it and Id bet there is 0 wrong mechanically.

 

[sierradmax]

Im surprised the shop wouldent even throw a jumper pack on it considering how long shops take to get things done. Hell, you could probably pull the fenders back up by hand and drive it home. Its stupid what little it takes to "total" a vehicle these days. Fix it and enjoy it and Id bet there is 0 wrong mechanically.

My thoughts exactly. This would throw a red flag to me. Many shops deal with vehicles having dead battery or hell, even say vehicles that won't start.

My guess is that body shops today look at older vehicles and don't put more than 1 hour into an evaluation as they suspect insurance adjusters will just total it.

 

[jeepguy03]

My thoughts exactly. This would throw a red flag to me. Many shops deal with vehicles having dead battery or hell, even say vehicles that won't start.

Especially a collision shop, one would would think. You might be on to something with the older vehicle thing though.

 

[RS Hill]

Sorry it happened, I’d fix it for sure. Since it’s been upside down and also before you throw a jump pack on it, pull the plugs. Just in case there is oil in the cylinders or another fluid. Don’t want to bend a rod. With the plugs out give her a spin with a jump pack hooked up.

Go from there.