Dent and Parts availability.

Well, on July 10th a couple of young gals in a minvan decided to give me a "Hello" nudge that actually spun me around into the opposite lane of traffic. Luckily the oncoming vehicles spotted me in time and liberally applied the brakes so I did not get run into. Once the Police showed up, took the report and insurance information was exchanged the truck was still drivable and off to the local body shop I went. The estimate was decent, the claims process was painless and all was going well until I was informed that the drivers side panel was on a national back order.

Now Here I am almost 3 months later and the panel is still on national back order, I have come to the realization that the panel may never be available due to the age of the vehicle and am wondering if I should sell the rest of the bed (Perfect Condition) and get a UTE bed for the rear or start going around to junk yards and pick up the part myself. Only reason why I ask these questions is I am dealing with an insurance company and do not know if I can take a payout for the damage and go from there or maintain a holding pattern until the part "MAY" come up.

I have taken the bed off, pulled the panel off, used a rubber mallet to beat some shape into the panel and most importantly am now able to utilize the gas lid. Not perfect but much better, still irritates the hell out of me.

 

Authorize the shop to use used parts when new is not available or search car-part.com for a bedside.

 

What stickyTaco said and keep an eye open on CL. People sell Tacoma bed parts or the whole thing fairly often. I don't know why, but they do.

 

Can you use this?https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-bedsides-flares-mgm-grey-trd-long-bed.813300/

 

Yep, thats it!! May have a serious road trip ahead at 1,255 Mi one way

 

Just have it shipped, freight.

 

Awesome head west bro

 

I would have asked the insurance to given me the check. Beat the bed out so it’s drivable and the gas door works. Once a bed side is found then fix.

 

I've had some bad experiences trying to get parts "on back order". Seems like they aren't actually making them