Question for body shop guys...just got rear ended

A week later and no call from anybody so I started rattling cages. My rental this time is a mini-van and I just can't deal with that crap any longer. Anyway, according to my contact at the Toyota body shop, he could not get the lines right by "repairing" my tail gate. Well no shirt! We talked about that the day I dropped it off. Regardless, he has spent much of the last week trying to get approval from the insurance company to replace the skin on the tailgate, which he did. It is being sanded then paint and should be ready tomorrow. He claims the bumper is now square and lined up right but I am not holding my breath.

If all goes well, I can finally proceed with the diminished value claim tomorrow afternoon. I have no idea how to negotiate this since I don't know how much I will lose from the frame damage. I am tempted to take it next door to the used lot and ask them although they don't have anything that interests me on the lot.

All of this "heel dragging" is really wearing on my patience. I found a really nice 07 TRD OR like mine but white, lifted with new tires and wheels, ARB bumper and a soft topper for the bed. I couldn't do a damn thing about it with mine being in the middle of repairs and diminished value claims. Really sucks. My pappy always said there is always a better deal waiting around the corner...I sure hope so because that 07 was EXACTLY what I wanted.

I will post back up tomorrow IF they have it ready and let you guys know what is going on.

 

That does help, thank you!

 

With regard to the bumper protector thing, couldn't you simply remove the hitch & achieve the same thing? Then there wouldn't be ANY lever...why keep something in there at all whether its 2" or not...why not just remove it all together and have 0 leverage?

Good luck w/ the truck op, keep updating as you go.

 

Don't let the body shop get away with that shit man.

It does depend on your insurance policy though. If you had a replacement policy it will write your truck off much easier if they have to use OEM parts on your vehicle. Imo I think used parts if they are genuine Toyota are okay but I would avoid Jobber parts like the plague.

There is no excuse for them to not have the tailgate looking pristine though

 

For me, I tow every couple weeks. I will remove the ball now, but removing and re installing the whole receiver every couple weeks is out of the question.

 

Picked it up last night. The tailgate looks a lot better since the re-skinned it with a new body panel and re-painted it. The bumper is also square and looks like one that hasn't been wrecked. Now I am working on the diminished value claim. I have a friend who is a local automotive appraisers so he is going to look over their offer before I accept. After that, decision time. I have been looking for another one in similar condition with similar miles. They are hard to find. One was sold before I could get my truck back. Several others have double the miles mine has. I am starting to think I might ought to just keep it and move on. I will continue to look but in all honesty, I don't want to go deeper in debt at this time. My wife needs a new ride before I do and she is the one who hauls around our 4 daughters most of the time so that is more important. Her vehicle is also our primary travel vehicle. Decisions, decisions...

Oh and I will try and get a picture of the repaired ass-end later to post on here.

 

First, OP glad your ok

Second, It doesnt look too bad but i would want it to be fixed right not just done by some Joe Shmo.

3rd. I really find it funny that the people arguing on the first page are quoting WIKI... yall do know that is edited by uneducated people all the time. Its not even a creditable source for highschool students...

 

The right Body shop can put that dent out i bet no problem. Depends how big the crease is.. But the steel frame is going to have to be heated and straightened out .
I've pop'd out so many dents over the years in my vehicles. the tail gate is easy. take out those Torx bolts holding on the panel and there is access to the body

 

Well guys, here are a few pics. I will let yall know what happens with the diminished value claim. Thanks again!

 

That sticker is fucked up and not right.

 

What? I'd never settle for that garbage on my rig.

 

LOL Peerunner! I actually grew up in Austin...kinda funny how I ended up going to the dark side. I do wish the powers that be would make it a non-conf game again though...all my family went to either Texas or TCU so I miss the family quarrels around the holidays. Funny but I thought you were talking about the TOYOTA decal and I was like, really??? I think it came out nice!

 

Truck looks good otherwise.

 

Wiki is fine for quick definitions of things and there are linked references for everything usually at the bottom.