Replacing a frame

Has anyone replaced the frame on their Tacoma? Due to an accident I having to have the frame replaced on my 17’ DCSB. The body shop told me that they would replace with new parts any one use bolts, nuts, etc. that Toyota calls for. But at 45,000 miles I’m wondering if there are any other parts like bushings that I should have them replace while the truck is torn down? I seldom do any off road driving, mostly driven in the city. What do y’all think?

 

Wouldn't an adjuster work with a shop to identify parts needed for full replacement. I would assume the truck would be totaled. Seems odd to me you're having to tack this down.

 

Yes, my insurance adjusters is involved, but I’m concerned that this might be an opportunity to replace worn or substandard OEM parts that adjuster wouldn’t recommend.

 

Well I can't speak for insurance companies but most of them use substandard aftermarket or used parts to reduce costs. OEM is probably your best option to be honest. From a wear and tear perspective the bushings/body mounts could be replaced.

 

In my case I didn’t file with the at fault Driver’s insurance, but instead paid the deductible on my insurance and my insurance company is collecting the cost from the at fault Driver’s insurance. They assured me that they would replace all parts OEM where possible. But how do I know that is the case and are there parts that don’t technically meet the definition of damaged or worn out that I should go ahead and pay out of pocket for if need be?

 

Just went through the same scenario 3 weeks ago. Filed through my insurance and let them go after the guys that hit me. Only difference is my truck was totaled instead of replacing the frame. What pushed it over was the apparent long wait that is going on with 3rd gen frames right now. I'd hate to have to replace the frame and keep the truck.

 

I’ve been waiting on a new frame since mid December. They sent one late in February, but Toyota sent the wrong frame, so the Toyota dealer returned that one and ordered another one. At least Toyota is paying for a rental now, 19’ F-150 Super Crew. How long did that say a new frame would take?

 

They told me a minimum of 90 days and insurance refused the pay for a rental that long.

 

Thread dug up from the dead?

 

Did I send it to the wrong person?

 

Had to get the frame replaced on my '09 with the recall. They suggested replacing the shocks and muffler since they were bad and wouldn't cost extra labor. They wound up replacing my rear shocks for free. Something to think about.

 

My insurance refused to pay for the rental cost once it exceeded $500, but since the accident was not my fault the other driver’s insurance paid for a rental in the end. Where Toyota came in was after they delivered the wrong frame and had to reorder another frame! This was the local dealer, not Toyota corporate.

 

How’s it running?

 

I am very satisfied! The truck runs great, no unusual noises, no alignment problems, nothing that I can detect. I’ve driven the truck about 5,000 miles since I got it back and it’s like a brand new truck. But I didn’t choose a small, fly by night body shop! This shop has been in business since the 1930’s and has a stellar reputation.

 

I had no idea you can possibly replace a frame after an accident on such a new vehicle. Did the insurance company ever consider giving it a salvage title?

 

I once worked in a "good" body shop, and if I had any vehicle that was in an accident serious enough to replace the frame, I would sell it or trade it in ASAP. Were you paid for reduction in value?

 

Well you must have worked in a not so good body shop. It don't take much these days in the era of HSS to render a frame not repairable. The most common way that Tacoma trucks are totaled out or require a frame replacement is a rear impact if hard enough bends a kink into the frame rails via leverage with the bumper brackets. The crappy part is the kink is so small, a few inches into the rail, and sometimes there's no real sheet metal damage if any.

 

That’s exactly what happened to my truck! The only sheet metal damage was to the tailgate and it was repairable.