Did my larger battery cause this?

Holy crap! Good eyes.

That actually appeared like a factory bend. You win.

 

I agree, that bend looks intentional. I genuinely thought that that the limb I hit was unrelated to the tear so I didn't think to mention it, but I think @EatSleepTacos is right. To be fair @crashngiggles was the first to connect the two. Glad to know it wasn't the weight of the single AGM, since I don't mind fixing my mistakes; that's part of the game of wheeling. I can live with that, knowing that if I fix it, assuming I don't make the same mistake, the problem won't return.

Now, the question remains the same: What's the best fix?

 

I know there was an under-bonnet pic somewhere during the episode. My google-fu sucks lately.

 

I betcha if you look at the passenger side, you’ll see that they’re forward facing. The only correct fix is to have a new core support installed, but that would require a body shop. It’s one giant piece that’s spot welded in so it would be a royal pita to try and fix yourself.

 

You can weld that, but unless you make something to help that area with the weight. You are just waisting your time. It will crack again right next to the welds.

 

Ok, so. I know that the limb caused the breakage, not the weight of the battery or wheeling "hard" (whatever that means). Only the lower portion is broken, the tray itself and surrounding areas are fine. Knowing that, I think I will be okay if I weld and reinforce the area that is broken. I quickly bent the metal roughly into place just now and I think with some excess material I could weld that portion to strengthen it. I doubt it will be a forever fix, but it will likely last a while until the weight of the AGM and wheeling stress eventually cause a failure anyway.

 

Depo aftermarket headlight in pic you sure that side hasn't been hit in the past?

 

I'm the second owner so I guess anything is possible. How can you tell that headlight is aftermarket?

 

The tag where it says depo blue and white. That's not OEM

 

My oem headlights say otherwise.

Edit: I am not worthy, I am wrong.

 

Where are you seeing these words?

 

The plot thickens! You guys are some legit Tacoma sleuths!

 

I may be wrong then haha.

 

No shit. That's an aftermarket sticker? Well I know at the very least the break is on the new side. I've spent a lot of time under the truck under the last two years and I would have noticed it before.

 

I would not pay for a few hundred for headlights if that were the only thing they changed to black

 

I actually just scheduled mine to get repaired while it’s in for the CMC. Stock battery but heavy wheeling.

One more reason that I’m happy I got the Zuk!

 

I don't know why I care but I do.