Any suggestions on how to deal with this bent frame?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. I bought this great truck in 2004. It's completely stock (no mods) and I've really enjoyed it. Yesterday i was rear ended by the white midsize SUV shown. I was sitting still and am guessing the car that hit me was doing 45 without even touching the brakes. It was a real smack, but fortunately, the SUV seems to have absorbed most of the energy, though my frame is bent at the back.

It is likely that my frame is bent on the left side forward of the rear axle a bit as the left side bed is sitting 3/4" higher than the right side bed over the rear tires. It is now tracking ever so slightly left which to me seems a further indicator that the frame unfortunately is bent ahead of the rear axle.

This wonderful truck only has 165k miles on it and I'm afraid the insurance company is only going to give me 8k or so. I've not spoken with the adjuster yet. I was hoping to run this great truck for at least 8 to 10 more years. It's a real loss if i only get 8k and no more tacoma... no way i can get a good equivalent replacement for 8k.

I'm in Columbia SC. I'm guessing i need to find a good frame shop to have a really good look.

My questions are:
1. how "bent" is this frame? I know my pictures don't really show the frame, but perhaps many of you will still have an instinct about it.
2. Are frames able to be straightened enough to make repairing this worthwhile? I am hopeful the answer is yes.
3. This is my first rodeo regarding this type of work on a frame and body work in general. Any suggestions are welcome.
4. I'm especially hopeful that many of you tacoma folks know of good frame and body shops or individuals around the Columbia SC area.

Most helpful for all of you tacoma faithful out there! Lane

Will try to figure out how to attach these photos now.

 

I can’t answer all your questions, but in 2018ish I had my frame “straightened” on a frame machine at my local body shop. Depending on how much you’re willing to put in, that might be your best option.

 

I’d start collecting up nationwide sales prices, your truck is worth more than 8k. Fight back on the adjuster if they lowball you.

 

I would also inspect that SnugTop for cracks. Regardless that the clearcoat is flaking off, if a crack was caused, that’s another $3k on the check from insurance to replace.

 

Crab walking trucks seem to be all the rage. If it drives… send it!

 

It's totaled. You need to start pulling prices for comparable condition and mileage Taco's and make sure you are made whole. Only real way to partially repair would be a reframe or partial frame in a jig with plates. Neither of those will be covered by insurance.

 

thanks everyone. Any suggestions on best method to pull comparable prices? best websites to search?

 

if you really, really, really want to run this truck to the end of time, allow the insurance company to do their thing, then ask for the buy-back amount. they'll total it out, but then you can purchase the truck back for far less. some people run it as-is, some will repair it, but at that point it'll be entirely out of pocket costs-- which can work for you in terms of body shop pricing being cheaper being a 'cash' customer--you could also pick and choose the damage that's repaired--ie, the rear cab corner is more aesthetic, so could be skipped at that point for saving money.

but it also means it'll likely end up with a branded (rebuilt) title, which can be more difficult to insure, and is damn near impossible to ever sell. as an extremely crude baseline, rebranded title vehicles generally sell for about 1/4-1/2 of the same make/model/condition vehicle would sell for with a clean title.

 

Thanks everyone. I've done a nationwide search on cargurus.com. Prices for comparible trucks are all over the place. I don't think this is going to have a good outcome for me. I sure wish that young lady hadn't been on her phone! No winners with accidents.

 

Frame shop would be the best bet re if it's possible to repair or just need to replace it. Shame either way.

Assuming the frame isn't devastated, perhaps do the buyback and toss on a flatbed instead of the regular bed and cap.

The fact that she was on the phone just infuriates me..that should be a mandatory ass beating on sight!!!!!

 

They are going to call that totaled. If you want to keep it you're going to have a battle moving forward to get them to assess it high enough but you may be surprised (story below.) If it's in the cards you can buy salvage rights and get it straightened at a body shop if the frame isn't rusting out.

<TL;DR>

Wife had a primo Rav4 LTD, all the bells/whistles. Was sitting in dead traffic on an LA freeway, outta nowhere woman flies in behind her and rear ends her. She drove it to SD, it was perfectly safe, and I could tell a pull here and there and it would be fine. There was a slight wrinkle in the rear hood, rear hatch was messed up but still closed.

They totaled it and I was uber pissed, no way is this car totaled. The way it worked out, the insurance gave us almost 2K over blue book and we were just about to move cross country, one less car to tow and it almost paid for the trip. So do the maths, it may be time to take the money and run (for another first get Taco of course. )

 

Wow that's unfortunate. Got rear ended by a drunk dude at 2 a.m. when I was driving cross country. No insurance and he tried to run. Really bent the frame, tore the bumper halfway off, and broke the back window hatch on an IH Scout. Totaled of course and no frame shop would touch it so I had to let it go. Insurance barely covered the loan I had on it.

I agree with the automatic booty beating. Why oh why do people have to be on their damn phones 24x7??? At an intersection in town yesterday. A lady in a newer silver SUV was smokin a ciggy with her left hand, in lala land holding the phone with her right hand, and making a left turn with her knees. Knee slipped off the steering wheel while making the turn, she ran into the triangular median nice and hard and bent her FDS wheel over and hit the sign post. Thankfully that stopped her cause my door was her next stop.

 

Yikes, I hope to hell that guy got caught between the drunken state and attempt to flee. Scum..

Fortunately in the second case she got what was coming and nobody else did. I still recommend the beating..my wife lost almost a year of work and ability to drive thanks to some ass cowboy on his phone and he acted like it was no big deal. Had I been there I'd have been hauled off to jail.

 

Is the frame rusted?

 

There is no warranty on that trucks frame

I don’t even think you can buy a 1st gen frame from Toyota any more

 

As of 2021, Toyota did not have any 2G regular cab frames. Probably prior too..IDK if you could even pay them to make one.

My 2010 was reframed in 21 and it had to be built.

 

The answer is yes, frames can be straightened - and it used to be common. Finding a shop with a frame machine is the challenge, and you might look around for a vo-tech school (sometimes even high schools with a vo-tech), especially if insurance totals it and you buy it back.

 

Thanks to everyone for your help! Wanted to give you all an update. I remeasured the truck and drove it more and had various folks look at it. The frame was actually not bent forward of the rear axle. I found a great independent body shop who helped me by submitting an estimate under the 70% (SC is 70% or 75% to total). And the insurance company agreed. They cashed me out at 8.8K without totaling my truck. I was really amazed and thankful!

By talking to folks around here, i found the local guy who does the most frame work for the various big body shops. Just picked it up today. He straightened the frame at the very back where it was bent, leveled the bed and actually straightened out some of the corner dent for $800. Can't say enough about Ron Hicks (the frame guy). Anybody in SC, if you need a frame straightened, talk to him. Old school independent guy. Not sure if I'm supposed to share his contact info on this site. Can I? When i find a trustworthy dude, i want to promote him.

I need to get a bumper, a hitch and a tailgate. I'm thinking of just going back with a regular bumper like what was on it (the chrome with black plastic flat top cover). Also i need to get a new hitch. The hitch that was on it was a Reese. Any suggestions on the best place to get both? I'd prefer to avoid purchasing stuff made in China though i realize that may not be possible.

Thanks again to everyone, Lane