Tacoma got hit hard on the interstate. Concerned the body shop won’t fix it correctly. Help!

Wow, that's a lot of damage!
Frame, bed, and cab.

 

if the frame was bent beyond pulling they would just replace it. ive seen a 13 taco at my work with 100k on it that was rear ended while parked. they put new bed and frame under it. its not uncommon for smashed vehicles that are worth a lot to get new frames installed.

think of it this way. you got a 16 taco u live in the rust belt, you want to keep your truck for a long time. your are paranoid about frame rust.. BAM< smash you got wacked . soo sad. insurance company says were gonna put bed bla bla bla and a new frame! bam your 4 year old taco just got 4 years newer!

 

It takes about two days at a dealership to swap out a rusted frame on a Tacoma.

 

We’ve managed to get one done in a 12 hour day. Granted we were lucky enough to not need extra parts.

 

They can easily fix that frame,looks like your repair shop is top tier,good luck O.P.

 

Get a second opinion. My wife is a terrible driver, uses the rear view mirror to adjust her hair, then slams on the breaks at yellow lights and has been hit from behind 4 times in our proir mini-van at the same intersection. They fixed it fine each time.

 

If frame is repaired will truck have the same tow rating? Serious question.

 

If repaired properly yes.

 

How can owner verify a proper repair?

 

That’s a bit harder to determine. If you can’t see kinks in the frame after it’s done your good. My 05 tundra had its frame straightened and it’s been fine since. Can’t even tell it happened

 

That's good, hoping the best for op. Personally I don't have any experience dealing with this type thing and hope I never have to. I feel good about the safety aspect of my truck after seeing all the posts concerning accidents.

 

They’re safe trucks. Hell my “outdated” “unsafe” tundra survived a 70 mph
Rollover. Guy I bought it off was just shook up. No injuries.

 

That's crazy!

 

Any updates?

 

Update:
The frame had the minor damage that you can see in the pics I posted a few days ago. Beyond that, there was no additional frame damage. They straightened it out rather than replacing the frame, as it measured out correctly once they got it up on the lift. All said and done, it was right at $9000 in damage, so the truck was fixed. The shop confirmed what others said, which is that I was lucky I was hit so high. That spared me the additional frame damage.

I am getting a new bed and all that goes with it, and they are basically repainting the whole thing. I will post pictures once I get her back (which I am hoping is FRIDAY!!! I like the Highlander they have me driving, but I look like a soccer mom in it and I miss my truck

 

You mentioned that you hoped it wasnt totaled but now its going to show it was involved in an accident on Carfax. Thats going to drop the value when you get ready to trade it in. I would have wanted it totaled if it were me. (Thats just my opinion)
But im glad youre happy with it and thats what matters.

 

I would have definitely preferred that. The total damage was $9000 so it was pretty far away from being totaled, and there wasn't really more that could be done about that. We are exploring other options that folks on here recommended. All and all it has been not the most fun thing to deal with, but I am excited to get the truck back.

Moral of the story is don't get rear ended!

 

This happened to me a week before Thanksgiving. Stopped in traffic and a distracted Titan 4X4 driver plowed into me around 25mph. I took it to a Toyota body shop and was initially told they would probably replace the frame, along with other repairs. (Wow, replace the frame - really???) The TRD OR is a 2018, w/22,000 miles and otherwise in pristine condition. Overall, I was thankful for not being injured, that the frame and bed crumpled and absorbed the impact energy, and I was reluctantly ready to accept this extensive repair. Then, a few days later, I got a call from the other guys insurance co. telling me the truck was deemed a total loss. Unlike the OP's damage, mine was more widespread from top to bottom and the back of the frame looked nasty underneath, including a badly cracked composite bed, yet the truck drove perfectly fine. Luck of the draw, I guess. Best wishes to the OP for a 100% restoration - and do claim diminished value!!!

 

I am glad you are ok! I am surprised mine didn't get more frame damage, but I guess the other guy was lifted enough that he just damaged the bed and they say the frame is measuring fine.

Are you getting a new Tacoma?

 

Cool, I'm glad they got you well on your way. Not being negative, but they don't know the final bill until it's done, the $9k is what they can see, there's a good chance they may be asking for more, but I could be wrong.
Definitely pursue the diminished value thing, I don't know a darn thing about it, but it makes sense if someone else is at fault and the resale will be negatively impacted.
Good luck