Got into a crash into icy median at 50 mpg 1st gen. What should I look out for

So far I haven't noticed any problems. But that doesn't mean a couple parts turned into a time bomb.

Any advice as to what I should check out an possible replace.

From 50 - 0 in about 4 seconds

The radiator fan protector plastic has a crack in it but that's the only damage I could immediately find

 

I'd be worried about ball joints.
Maybe clean up and take a close look at the control arms and check for any cracks too, same with your wheels.

 

Also I now understand why it's called the immortal truck. It just plowed through the Alaskan median and with a tug from another truck drove me home.

 

Worthless without what?

 

Uh sure hold on I'll send em in a second

 

If it were me I would be concerned about the steering rack and suspension components along with any physical damage. Another poster mentioned ball joints: I agree. I'd make an appointment with your alignment shop, get an alignment and maybe have them put the truck on the lift and do a quick once over after you tell them what happened. If it is a shop you trust I'd be up front about what happened so they could go into the inspection with some context... if you don't know the shop and think they may "find" problems just to make you pay for parts and labor maybe hold your cards close to the vest and say, I'd like you to give the steering rack, suspension, and driveline a check because I'm about to go on a big trip (or some other farce).

Definitely get an alignment. Hitting a pot hole at speed can throw things out of alignment. Hitting a freaking median may or may not do the same. Happy you are okay.

 

thats the only damage I found still haven't gotten a picture of where my truck was

 

Welcome aboard, when he asked for pics I think he was asking for more visual details to figure out what actually happened. Now sure what you're saying with "crash into icy median at 50 mpg" - head on? Sideswipe? Here's MY example . . .

About 10 years ago was driving my '94 SR5, a service worker flew out from between cars and I turned my attention to him, didn't see traffic was backed up and stopped. Locked 'em up, gave the last car a little bump. No visible damage, bumper not even scratched on either vehicle.

About a week later, a crack in the radiator developed. Replaced.
About a week after that, water pump starts barfing on the driveway. The water pump is internal, turned into a timing belt job.

We (and probably you) have no idea if the crack in the plastic already existed, right? Have you got pics of any damage to the exterior at all, or can you detail it out a little more?

 

Anything like this?

https://www.toyotaofnorthcharlotte.com/blog/a-deep-dive-into-the-indestructible-toyota-truck/

 

this is a NTSB 30mph test

https://youtu.be/EUoIP0UBug8?si=jQAlhr5Fin9MTAdL

sorry, you weren't going 50mph

 

No nothing like it, the median of grass with icey snow on top that I plowed through almost to the other side

Eagle River loop road of y'all want to get a street view on google

 

I hit snow and ice at 35 ish degrees while last week was in the 40's. Not a wall formulary

 

Can't get a picture of the road rn but it was a median with no walls or anything just grass in the middle but I did find the snow and ice build up that started to melt last week and refroze overnight

Eagle River loop road if you want to see the road on google maps

 

is this the road/median?



tbh unless you impacted on something hard before coming to a stop, or there was a big wheel drop when you transitioned from asphalt to median, I would hardly even be concerned. Maybe an alignment. Like someone said, we don't know that crack in the radiator shroud wasn't there (and since it's a 97, very possible it's been there for ages). i'd monitor it over the next couple weeks and see if it gets worse.

 

Sweet! Thank you. I'll keep an out out and check on the radiator every couple fuel ups