Can this be fixed

Better to just fix it or toss it? Short story, bought this locally through here on Tacoma world. Took his word that he never took it off roads and that it was good. Noticed it when it was put on. Never had an issue buying anything here on Tacoma world before. Lesson learned that there are bad actors here on Tacoma world.

 

Did the seller end up ghosting you?

Any local fab welder can fix it but it will cost some labor.

 

No he said he would only offer me a partial refund because he wants to get compensated for his time and gas. He said he was being reasonable for a partial refund and that was that. Is it worth get it fixed at a local fab?

 

Name the seller... You know, so it doesn't happen again...

Edit: And link the original post where he offered it for sale.

 

Dd Tacoma

 

That's cold man - just cold.

I learned early on that your word is all you got in this world -

 

He didn’t create a post for sale, he just jumped in someone else’s post to sell his predators.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fs-side-steps.742622/#post-26492478

 

Steps? We don't need no stinking steps... grind those puppies off!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqomZQMZQCQ

 

Was it used when you bought it or did you buy it from the original fabricator? If it was used (which your post seems to imply) then it's a case of buyer beware.
Take the partial refund. Name the seller. See what a local fabricator could do for you and use the refund to help defray the cost.
If it's powder-coated I wouldn't attempt to cut it free, reposition & reweld, as the coating in the vicinity will get destroyed. Rattle can paint will touch it up somewhat, but it'll never have a uniform coating.
Bounce it off a few rocks on the trail and no one will really know - it'll just be an adventure scar.

 

Purchased locally through a member here at Tacoma world. It is used. He wanted the predators back in order to give a partial refund because he said he needed the money for gas and time.

 

Did he send you pictures that showed no damager or make a claim that there was no damage?

 

Another vote for cutting them off if you don't need the steps. I cut mine off and they're fine

 

No pictures were sent. Met with the guy at a local parking lot. He said he never took it off-road with his 3rd gen and it was good and that the part numbers stickers were still in tact. He said he took it off because he decided to get sliders and it was sitting in his garage for a while. I asked him why he didn’t put it on the truck he drove which was a 2nd gen and he said he didn’t have the time and rather just sell these. Talked to the guy for like 10-15minutes. Seemed like a cool person. But forgot that’s the old trick of the book of a salesman like at the dealership.

 

90% your fault for not inspecting the part at time of purchase. Just because there's damage, means it was done off-road. Damage could of happened many different ways. As other said buyer beware.

 

Lesson learned. Don’t trust people.

 

- I got rid of the predators that came on my taco as any impact will cause deformation. These are aluminum (at least the OEM predators are). They are very soft.

Heat it up a bit and bang it back into shape. A BFH (Big f'n hammer) and a couple big clamps should get you quite close. It does not look like a severe bend...

In any case, It will not take long before the other steps match this one!

Of course this should have been disclosed on the spot... such occurrences do bum you out.

 

A rubber mallet will slap that back into place with a few whacks.

That stated, dont count on them for ANY sort of protection more than door dings from other cars.

 

You trusted people before this?