A sad day indeed... Looking for advice

Hey all. I'm here looking for advice... I have a 2003 tacoma that has 120000 miles, trd package on it. I just put brand new BFG KM2's on it. Replaced the water pump, timing belt and also my radiator and the hoses. My truck was pretty darn sweet. UNTIL I was rear ended into a car in front of me. Geico totaled out my truck saying the frame was bent and that it would cost 4400 for a new one and 28 hours of labor. There is significant back end damage. The front end is not near as bad. They are giving me 15,500 back for my truck which I think is great. They said I could buy it back for 2100. My question is, would it even be worth buying it back and trying to get it fixed or would it just be a headache? A part of me wants to buy it back and use it as a hunting vehicle. If anyone knows anyone who can work on the frame in AZ that would be worth my time would be great. Looking for suggestions guys, throw them my way!

 

Can you get the tires? I don't know what the rule about robbing parts off a totaled vehicle is.
Take the $15,500 and get another Tacoma. Thats my suggestion

 

I wouldnt mess with it.

 

I would've murdered someone...that sucks, man! My sympathies.

 

Personally, i think that would be a SWEET rebuild.. I'd jack that shit up and make it huge! I don't know, if there giving you money back.. i'd get something for now, something cheap.. and save up for a brand new Tacoma? maybe? that's what i would do!!

 

Also, I don't know if it'd be totally worth it, but of you've got the extra $2100, I'd buy it. IF you aren't able to fix it up into a hunting truck, you'll still have a perfect engine, suspension, wheels and tires, rear locker, etc that are still good for either backup or selling...I wouldn't go take out a loan to get it back though

 

Buy it back.

All my vehicles were wrecks that the insurance companies totaled. Most frame shops have no problem straightening the rear.

My list includes the fallowing.

2, 1998 4x4 Tacoma
1, 2002 4x4 tundra
1,2009 4x4 tundra
1, 2004 4x4 Tacoma

All these had bent frames and were able to be pulled straight.

Besides that, it is so easy to do your own repairs with he aid of the internet.

Later

KO

 

I think it depends on a( your financial situation, and b( your comfort/competency level with rebuilding it. Of course the frame would need to be done professionally. But other than that could you fix everything else? Any unseen damage?

I would also take into consideration whether or not you plan on selling it. A rebuilt title takes a lot of value away from the vehicle when it comes time to sell. I know from experience.

If it were me, I'd ask the insurance agent if you can swap out the wheels and tires. Then I'd take the money and find another Taco!!

 

wow! i kinda agree, if you got the money to buy it back, and get something els(since it wont be save to drive right a way) but i’d have the frame straightened, and just take the bed off, and do a nice flat bed or maybe a tube bed? find a hood grill/head lights some where. Maybe here or CL or a junk yard. get a plate bumper or tube bumper for the front, and it would make a great hunting truck! or weekend camper.

 

It sucks dude! Get a new one, payments will be very low

 

Anyone think it's feasible to do something like they did in this extreme 4x4 episode?

http://www.powerblocktv.com/episodes/XT2012-01/aluminum-samurai-part-i

 

If you need the vehicle for a daily driver, I'd take the 15k and get a new one. If you only need it only as a recreational vehicle, I'd say get it back and get it running again.

 

I would take the 15K and buy it back for 2k. I'd find another Taco and my DD and use the totaled one as a side project vehicle. Take off the bed and make it a flattie, straighten the rear and chop it, front offroad bumper and a few replacement parts.... rockin off roader.

 

bingo.

 

Id get rid of it 15000 is more than enough to buy a new one, this happened to me back in june. I didn't received nearly that much but my truck wasn't as nice as yours but after the crash it was still drivable, I kinda wished I had kept it at times though. If I were in your positions id look at buying another truck for about 9000 and set aside like 3000 for maintenance and save the rest for a rainy day.

 

This is my suggestion! just chop the rear bent frame and tube it out!

 

You could buy another one just like it for about $12,000. Then you could just use the extra $3,500 to mod it.

 

take the 15k and spend 2k on that one. mod the fawk out of it and have another tacoma. IMO the wheels/tires are 40% of your 2k investment even if you parted it out.

 

buy it back for sure n either part it out or fix it put 13k towards new or used taco