R.I.P. HADES... Hard luck submission.

The kid's insurance just told me they think my truck is only worth $731.77. They'll be hearing from my lawyers unless they give me what I asked them for to fix it with ($3500 minimum)  

Update.

So I call my AAA Agent today to figure out WTF is going on with my case, and get this message -



"I no longer work for AAA..."

PISSED OFF. Apparently He quit within the last week, and noone thought to inform anyone whose case was with him, and noone has been working on any of them...

WTF am I paying them for again? !@#$ this !@#$. As soon as I rebuild Hades I'm going with specialty insurance for custom cars.  

whoaaaaa, that's not good. Way to drop the ball AAA. Hey I have AAA too hmmm...  

Well, I forgive my agent - Apparently he was offered his dream job as a sports writer, something he's been going to school forever for. So all good - more power to him and congrats! I just wish I'd been told sooner!

Anyway, AAA sent a guy out yesterday, Ryan, to inspect the truck. I've got a real good vibe about the whole thing now - Ryan's a customizer himself and knows alot of my old friends from Chemically Imbalanced, Total Infatuation, Forbidden Fantasy, etc (He even worked Lake Perris during the FFF shows and all back before he moved to NM here)

So he knows what he's looking at, and I'm sure I'll get something fair from AAA. Then it'll be time to start rebuilding, which will happen regardless of if they total Hades or not.  

that's some good news at least!! At least he understands where you're coming from  

AAA called me this morning, and I'll be getting a check that, while smaller than I had hoped for, will get me started on rebuilding. So I'm starting this thread here for the project.

First step after stripping the truck down and repairing the slight frame damage is the engine. I'll be ripping out the busted VG30E and replacing it with a VG30DETT thanks to my friend Alex and then figuring out what it'll take to get the beast running.

Second step will be replacing the Core Support and fabricating a tube frame structure to support the fenders and hood.

Last step will be replacing the body panels and shaving them, etc. This time around I'm ditching the widebody/pathfinder front end project, and going with standard Hardbody 4x4 fenders, grill, and hood, with a custom Toyota style steel bumper from Grant Kustoms. FBI Minis is going to be helping me out with most of the body panels I need at a discount.

I should be getting started in the next couple days on this, and progress/pics will be posted here.  

hey, better than nothing right (small check).  

it's within $1000 of what I need, so I'm not really ecstatic, but not pissed either.  

are you concerned about the engine swap?  

I'm sure I'll hit some difficulties, but I think it'll be smooth for the most part. The Z and D21 use the same block on the V6's, so engine mounts and bell housings match - I have to use the Z's bell housing due to the D21's starter being in the way of the turbos, but it mates to the trans the same. I'm concerned about conflicts between the Z's ECU and the truck's TCU, but with my resources I can make it work. I have to fabricate intake and exhaust pipes, and figure out where to stick an intercooler, but honestly those last few things are the most difficulty I anticipate running into with it. I have a completely empty engine bay to start with, no inner fenders, no battery, etc. so I have lots of room to work it in.  

Got the front end chopped off this weekend, got alot of misc crap out of the engine bay as well. I'll be pulling the engine and trans out this week and I'll pick up the Z engine Saturday if the guy has it ready by then like he says.




 

Pulled the engine out today, make room for the DOHC twin turbos!






Time to clean & repaint  

good stuff! Hope the other engine's ready for you.  

I pick up the Twins on Sunday =-)

In other news, the new front bumper just arrived!

Thanks Grant Kustoms!  

cool and cool!