Desparate Honda Guy

Guys im in some desparate need of guidance. My dad had this tacoma in his backyard for 5 years (74k miles on it). He asked if i wanted it, so i brought over a battery and it fired up like it was from the dealer. Apparently my very cool uncle hit a bunch of bushes before losing his license. I want to fix it but i know ZERO knowledge about Toyotas. I feel like i have something special here though. Maybe can we start with a "hey dude that is way to much work, or my gosh what a deal". Thoughts??

 

Dude looks good to me for a free vehicle. Hit the junkyard and rebuild the front end on the cheap if you don't have to have matching paint at first.

Have you driven it at all? Know of any mechanical issues? After sitting for 5 years you definitely need to do some maintenance as well. Lots of fluids and maybe hoses and belts.

Looks like your drivers side core support and inner fender is bent. May be a bitch to get panels and hood to line up.

 

Billy the trans fluid is perfect, oil is cleaner than any car on the road, brake and power steering fluid are full and clean, coolant good and serpentine belt looks new. Drove it for about 4 hours. 1.5 hours on the freeway no issues. My dad interestingly enough kept it covered and on jacks to preserve things...good call i guess. But that front end is gnarly. I got quoted 10k which im not doing this is a project vehicle not my daily.

 

Where are you located? I have a 2012 front bumper you could have for free, its MGM though so not silver but it will fit a 2014. Took it off when I installed my ARB and its been sitting around for the last 2+ years.

 

Im in Mesa, AZ. Taco this eould amazing! I could probably just zelle you for snail mail cost if you arent in Arizona

 

Post in the AZ section of the forum, lots of good dudes here in AZ.

 

Thanks Queso i guess i should have looked around a bit. Sorry im a newb!

 

Doesn't look too bad but pictures don't tell everything, I'd maybe swing it by a good collision repair shop and get their assessment of it.

 

Thanks DM ya i ran it by one of the best in the valley and a full repair is looking like 10k. I could probably get it for less elsewhere but 8k minimum no matter the shop.

 

Did they give any recommendations on what needed to be done?

If nothing is bent that can't really be DIY repaired, you could source and install the parts yourself over time if your not in a hurry to get it fixed.

 

I think the big one was they wanted to cut out the radiator support, fender and apron on the drivers side. But looking at it im not sure why it cant just be bent back? It looks like if i cut anything ill need to learn how to weld. Not in any rush i drive an S2K for my daily and have a '25 Pilot AWD i just bought. This is extra

 

I couldn't tell you, I'm not a body/collision guy but it's probably gona depend on how bad it's bent, where it's bent, and how good you want it to look when it's done.
May be worth getting someone to fix that part and doing the bolt-on stuff yourself.

These trucks are pretty easy to work on but sourcing good used parts for them at a reasonable price can be challenging at times because most people keep them till they are used up/totaled.

 

This is good advice. I might check to see if i can get a stretch only from a body shop. Good plug on that one i hadnt considered that.

 

Initial investment - $0.00
Value of truck when fixed - ___?__
Cost to repair truck - $10,000. (I'd bet you can get that repaired for much less than 10K).

If the value of the truck when fixed is more than the repair cost. I'd do it. KB says that truck in good condition (repaired) 11.9K - 15.4K in Mesa AZ.

 

Hey guys thanks for all the tips and advice. I went ahead and decided to try my hand at sheet metal. I was able to get things semetrical enough to get the radiator structure mounts in. Almost slashed my corraded artery but hey im still alive! Time to order parts from Japan yo!!

 

Looks pretty good, you might also want to sand and paint that rusty area under the battery tray before you put it back together.

 

NICE! Way to go. That is one perfect workspace too!

 

I wrapped a chain around a post and the front bumper of some shitbox I had. Put it in reverse and hit the throttle. Thing turned out like new… kinda.

 

Thanks guys ya ive never dealt with rust. Its on that front under the bumper too. Can i just hit it with Kilz or something? Im not planning on selling this thing its purely for an extra vehicle to haul around in. Check out the make shift grinder haha! These effin Honda guys!!

 

Steve you are a legend man. Fisrt off the use of the word shitbox was in the league of a shakespeare play and the fact that you had that kind of innovation, im floored. I did consider it but i was looking at my brand new touring pilot and my wife looked at me like "dont even think about it asshole"