repairing back of cab

I was rear-ended.
Damage I found so far
- Bumper
- Taillights
- Tailgate
- Bed (bolts that mount to frame look like they have shifted)
- Cab has been damaged by bed hitting the back of cab
- Alignment pulls to the left
- Braking pulls to the right
- I hear twang or metal moving when driving
- Shocks: ride seems rougher, when going over bumps or dips in road seems harsher

its been a long while since I was in an accident and never in a vehicle that was less then 10 years old (my truck is a 2022).
is Bondo still used? how will the get rid of the dents in the rear of the cab?
will the bed be replaced? looks like the bed moved- the bolts aren't in the same place- Fram damage
how do I make sure they use factory or OEM parts?

 

Pull the bed off to see if you have any Frame damage!!!! and go from there

 

This is insurance claim territory, IMO. Tacoma's are notorious for bent frames in rear ends and more often than not they're written off entirely.

If your questions are about how to make sure the shop does a good job once the claim is processing, I'd wait until they see what they say and when you get the estimate. If the frame is bend I'll bet you they'll take the ~$22k salvage value and call it a day so the questions will be moot.

 

If you have a reputable shop - they could check the 4 wheel alignment for you and see if it is out and why. That is what I did with mine. Got a clean bill of health with minimal labor and went ahead and did my repairs from there. Sorry to see that and hope you are OK.

 

It sounds like a bent frame to me. Did you make an insurance claim?

 

yeah I started a claim-
Ive been hoping to keep this truck for 300,000 miles

 

IF the frame is OK, new bed tailgate and bumper. I assume they'll pull the cab as best they can and use a lil filler to smooth it out. My 5th wheel bonked my Silverado cab, creating damage like what you have. The repair looked new for years until I sold it. Unseen may be driveline damage caused by the rear end pushing the driveshaft forward into the xfer case. Shackles and springs may be tweaked causing the shock issue you report. Frame could be bent.

 

I was in a similar accident recently... I was backing up and a guy hit me cutting through a parking lot (insurance saying 50-50 responsibility since it’s on video tape). Doesn’t seem to be as big of an impact as yours..as I don’t have frame damage, alignment or brake issues. Just cosmetic on my end but I’m getting a new composite bed (small surface level crack see picture) a new Tailgate, a new and painted rear passenger bed panel + taillight (meso) and a few bumper parts. They’re also fixing the small dent in the cab like you have in your pictures. The shop I took it to made sure to order all OEM parts. I dropped it off today. Should be a month or so hopefully. Good luck brother. Glad you’re okay

 

the frame is most likely bent. i'd be prepared for a total loss.

 

That’s substantial damage. These frames don’t handle rear collisions very well. Sorry man that sucks ass. Hope no injuries.

As was already said, It’s likely a writeoff if any frame damage.

 

That'll buff out.

I'd say Part Out but there's nothing on it I see that I want so just fix it!

That said, you question OEM parts. That's dependent on what you agreed to when you agreed to buy your policy but since this is likely the other party's fault, you can likely stipulate that requirement when gathering estimates.

I'ma going out on a limb and suggesting no total. Just a spidey sense of mine. Lot's of shit can be done by a good shop with cutting edge technique and equipment.

 

Have to say that if the frame is bent its dead.. with all the other stuff.
Its a SR5 so its going to get close to a total loss quicker.



Nows your chance to get a better color so it doesn't look like a work truck
(unless it was)

 

That’s not a shade tree fix, it’s bad enough, it could be totaled or much much more in depth than you’re giving it credit for, sorry.
If you really want to keep it, get it fixed right.

 

Just a thought... if you are truly wanting to drive the truck until it's used up you might consider being sure the frame is straight and it's mechanically sound... and then pocket the repair money and buy a used tailgate. That kind of light cosmetic damage can be very expensive to repair and the truck is already reported to be in an accident so worth less... and I doubt many people willing to buy a repaired truck would quibble much buying one with such minor cosmetic damage.

That's what I would do...

 

It's likely a total loss if the frame is pretzeled enough with that cab damage.

 

Yes bondo is still used
The dents in the back of the cab will be removed using a "stud gun" it welds little metal rods to the cab, then using a slide hammer they will put the dents out. Then cover it with bondo to smooth it out.
The bed will probably be replaced, but not as 1 big piece. They will remove each broken part and replace that part. There is probably some good parts still on there that they will want to re-use.
If you want them to use OEM part, tell them thats what you want.

 

i would hope the insurance co. totals it. that truck will never be right.

 

Agreed. Not sure why everyone thinks the cab dent is minor. It’s not. The frame had to flex far enough for the top of the bed to not only touch the cab but put a very sizable dent in it.

Not to mention the drive ability issues. There’s not much to a leaf sprung solid axle and it doesn’t look like it was touched in the accident. The frame is probably bent and has caused an offset thrust angle leading to the opposing braking and accelerating force. Granted it could just be shifted from loose U bolts but the whole picture of the accident makes me much less hopeful about that.

 

Yikes. In my world anytime something is burned I have to yell out “BURNT”
So I’m gonna have to say “BENT”
Sorry to say it but every truck posted up here with a rear end damaged like that has a bent frame. OP you gotta get under and check out the frame itself, I’m internet speculating that it’s bent.

 

really its not a SR5 this truck is the base model-SR with the utilitytrim where they deleted the back seats in the access cab so it is the work truck model...... yeah