"Wrecked Tacoma"

I was just in the first car accident I have been in during my 31 years of driving. Sitting at a stop light and was rear ended by a Jeep Cherokee. My first thoughts were, "Shit! I just got this truck in October. How am I going to repair it. Please don't let it be totaled! I haven't even completed the suspension work." My second thoughts were, "Please let them have insurance." My third thoughts were, "I just got in a wreck. Am I Ok?" I couldn't get out to look at it for about 15 minutes while we waited on the police. I was scared to death that it was going to be bad.



All I can find is a small scrape on the passenger's side of my bumper. The entire front end of her Jeep was pushed back into the engine. Both of us are physically OK. Is it wrong that my first thoughts after the wreck were for the safety and well being of my precious 1st gen? I'm going to take it and get it looked at to make sure the frame is still straight. What else should I be worried about?

 

Finding another bumper in that great condition...looks like your GTG unless the frame may be bent but unlikely from a Cheep Jerokee.

 

See that's why I got voodoo blue. I have an old jeep and it was gray. I was rear ended several times. Painted it red and haven't been hit since. Bright colors are easier to see, I guess.

 

Glad you're okay

I would recommend a frame inspection

 

I was rear ended by a newer Chevy SUV in my truck. They were going about 20-30 and plowed into my rear bumper while I was stopped.

My truck was absolutely fine. The only damage I could find was the impact ripped the “.co” from my TacomaWorld.com decal. Her car needed a new core support, hood, headlight, and both fenders.

Check where the cab meets the bed, in a rear end collision the bed likes to impact the cab right at the base of the rear window.

Your frame could be tweaked too, best to check with a frame shop.

 

Not at all it would have been my First thought !!Is my Truck Ok??

As long as the Jeep did not need to have your Truck lifted off to get out from under it I think your truck will be fine.

 

These steel bumpers are invincible I swear. I’ve been rear ended 3 times in mine from a Ford F-150, Mercedes Sedan, and a Volkswagen SUV and all 3 times only a couple of dents and scratches on my rear bumper. It’s a shame they don’t make them like this anymore

 

I’ve been hit twice in my truck and I swore at both people (though I quickly regretted it the first time); The second time was a drunk 70-year old man in a Mercedes who did $2,200 in damage to my truck!

 

Sorry to hear about your accident, OP. Looks like you’re ok and have minor damage. Be sure to have it inspected by your insurance company & body shop to assess and look for any other damage from the accident. Make sure the party at fault’s insurance company pays for complete repairs with OEM parts on your vehicle. Having owned my truck for over 20 years, I have experienced with 3 rear end accidents where it was fault of the other drivers. I’m fortunate to have full coverage and a good insurance company who has repaired my truck’s rear end. I’m considering upgrading to a Relentless Fabrication rear bumper when my budget allows it for this kind of scenario.

 

Great quality bumper. Almost identical to OEM.

$187 TKY TY40342C Toyota Tacoma Chrome Replacement Complete Rear Bumper

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002MYG8L2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Out of stock right now but thats probably due to the supply chain being effected by Covid.

 

So after looking over things a little closer I've noticed that the gap between the front of the bed and the back of the cab is maybe 1/4 to 1/2 inch narrower than the same gap on the driver's side. Also the gap between the tailgate and the passenger's side of the truck bed is probably 1/2 inch larger than on the drivers side. I can see the marks from the Jeeps bumper on the passenger's side of my rear bumper so I looks like the impact may have pushed the bed a little bit. Can't take it to have it looked at until next week. What's the opinion on taking it to the local Toyota dealer versus a body/frame shop of my choosing?

 

Tow hitches are very rugged that more than likely saved you a lot of damage!

 

If your Toyota dealer has a good Body Shop then go for it .

Since all dealers are independent who knows .

Just who would you want to do any body work since you got hit while stopped ??

 

There's body or frame damage involved. Take your truck to the body shop to have it assessed for damage.

 

The gap on the tailgate is definitely larger. The gap between the bed and the cab much less so. The sheetmetal of the truck does not appear damaged at all so I'm thinking where the bed mounts to the frame or the frame itself was bent. I've never used the local Toyota dealer shop so I guess I'll ask who they use for frame work.

 

Let the body shop assess the damage on your truck and have them notify your insurance company. Have your insurance company make the party at fault pay for all damages to put your vehicle in good repair.

 

Unfortunately it doesn't take a lot of damage for an insurance company to total a 1st gen.

 

You do not have to accept the insurance companies decision to total a vehicle. Especially when you aren't negligent. A drunk hit my jeep one rainy night. He slid along the nerf bar and hit the left rear tire. It broke the rear spring shackle, shock and other stuff and pushed the entire axle to the right. His insurance wanted to total it, after all it was a 36 year old vehicle. I said BS and told them I wanted it completely repaired. It ended up costing them more than I originally paid for the vehicle but it was done. They ended up replacing the entire rear axle and suspension.