Looking for opinions here

After buying my 2002 Tacoma and expecting a bill of around 2500$ to fix and still no truck to drive yet. I will be saving my pennies like my life depends on it. You guys and this site have ruined me, all I think about anymore is Tacoma's and all I do anymore is read threads about your tacos which brings me to my question. My poor 95s frame is bent and the cab corner is sad looking, but damnit should I just pay a shop to straighten the frame and drive it? I literally had just gotten this truck close to where I wanted it outside of some more armor (sliders, rear bumper) I'm just thinking, yeah the side is blasted in but that shows how tough she is, throw a band aid sticker on it and be less afraid to beat her up more? Although it's pretty crunched and I have no idea what future problems that could cause.
Idk I guess I'm just looking for a little insight, I love this truck. Just don't know if I'll be pissing money away.
Oh yeah and she pissed all of the rear diff fluid all over my driveway

 

how has TW ruined you

 

Not a bad thing
Other than wanting to spend every last dollar I make and throw it at my truck lol

 

Have you had talked to any small independent body so shops to get an estimate on possibility of straightening and price?

 

Not a price to straighten the frame no, all they told me was it could be done but I would need to have someone else weld a plate on the frame to reinforce it as they couldn't warranty it for liability reasons which I completely understand.

 

Depends on what the quote for a repair would be but you might want to look for a frame that is straight and do a frame swap if you have the ability to do that yourself

 

OR you could cut the back half off and do a tube back half with a custom 4 link. But that’s gonna be pricy

 

I by no means have the ability to do that myself. And I called the body shop to get an estimate and they seem to think they won't be able to straighten it because of how it's bent. It jacked my entire rear axle, maybe it is worse than I realize.

 

Would be badass but I don't have the means or money to do that.

 

It'll prolly cost more, but if you go the straighten frame route I would have that done at a shop that will also weld in the reinforcement that place mentioned. You want one shop to do all of it. And you wanna use the shop that's got the good reputation on frame straightening and stuff.
Ask them questions not on warranty but on what you should expect after the repair, will it track and drive straight like it should? Just eliminate any surprises, so you can have a realistic expectation of the shop and of your truck. Find a shop that will be mano a mano with you, i know you're a younger dude but maybe pops or friends with a pops that knows a little bit

 

Okay thank you for the input, hardest part is finding a car trailer to move this truck, the closest place outside of the body I always use is about a 30 minute drive. I know they do some of the best body work around and the guy knows a lot about straightening a frame. It's just a matter of getting it there. But on the bright side I'm getting my 2002 insured and registered in the next couple days so I will at least have a taco to be driving around.

 

this ^

 

The problem is that the good solid non rusty frame is bent. And the frame and body is rusty on the 02.

 

If I had someone to do it for me I would lol along with the money

 

i hear that haha

 

Now you have a dd, you should definitely look into the frame swap, it would take time but the truck would be as you remember and you would learn everything about her. See if you can find a cleaner frame than original

 

It all comes down to if it can be pulled enough to track straight!!

It sucks going down the road sideways and tearing up rear tires .

A shop that tells you they can`t weld a plate on your frame does not need your money.

Just what is the budget here anything can be fixed if it is cost effective that is the question.

 

I hate to tell you this, but I think it's totaled. Frame being bent is bad but fixable. Rear end leaking probably b/c driveshaft jammed it. Which means possible transmission issues. There should be enough flex at the U-joints, but beware of the possibility of other problems. Then if you tackle the body work??? I know you love this truck , but in the long run it'll cost you more than it's value. Just make a smart decision before you throw money at it. Maybe sell both trucks to get something dependable that does not have rust or has not been wrecked. MHO. Good Luck!

 

Good Logic But I can`t talk I have $25,000.00 plus in my 92 4 Runner for the most completely stock.

That I bought for $500.00

 

TW is all about finding ways to spend money that you never knew existed.

This is how: