Ran across this on youtube. Heartbreaking.

 

cool find

.

 

Im in deep now Corey.

 

Damn, the airbags didn't deploy! I hope they fixed the problem in my truck...

 

Actually i got into a front end accident going about 45mph in LA traffic many years back. I was in my '82 long bed. Rear ended a full size commercial chevy van. I had the bed loaded with about a thousand pounds of trees and potted plants ect. My brakes were not match for the load I was carrying. Scary feeling when you know you're going hit someone.

But the front end was mangled to the point I couldn't open the hood. Steering wheel was near my knees as I used it to brace myself during impact. I pulled the rig to the side of the road and to see if the driver of the other vehicle OK. I notice no fluid loss, radiator or otherwise. I started the truck and idled as if nothing happened. Bent the steering column away from my knees and it drove back to San Diego. I wish I could've taken a photo before I sold it. I drove it around for couple of months without problems. The truck looked like something out of Mad Max. The neighbors didn't like it much.

Not that I needed that experience to forge my loyalty towards these trucks, but it definitely left an impression.

 

I wonder what the safety rating was on those things

 

Probably comparable to any pre air bag equipped truck. Hopefully it got better with each successive generation of truck.

The damage in the video is better(less) than I expected.

 

Wonder where all the good parts ended up...I think like that lol