6 Month Repair Time...

Hi everyone, first time poster, been lurking for a while.

So last year I bought my first Tacoma, immediately built out a platform based on some of the examples here, built out my tool kit, and set out on the road. Covered about 12 states in the past 8 months. Some time in April, I was in Baltimore, when my truck got side-swiped/t-boned in a hit and run. I wasn't in the truck when it happened, but luckily I was able to make it back to Texas without any problems. Picture of the damage below.

Anyways, I got my truck into the shop in the middle of May and it's been there ever since. Right now i'm waiting on a part from Japan, which was ordered on June 22nd, but has still not even shipped. The current shop estimate for the date is late September/early October, putting my total time in the shop at about 6 months!

Dealership wants to buy my old truck (haven't received the offer yet), to get me into a new one, but not sure I want to take the hit on buying a new truck, especially if they are running a premium. Anyone else have crazy delays in repairs? Wondered if anyone had any suggestions on what to do in this situation... or am I just SOL.

 

Not a 3rd Gen specific question, since we're talking insurance.

What part are they waiting for exactly?

If it's a body panel or something, have them go aftermarket maybe?

Your insurance company is covering it, not you out of your own pocket.

Make sure to get paid out on loss of value.

 

What part needs to arrive from Japan?


Welcome to TW.

 

I was picking up some random parts at my local Toyota dealership and he mentioned they've been waiting on a Tundra steering rack for over 4mos!

 

judging from the accident.... maybe the access cab door.

 

Specifically, it is a hinge pillar (61131-04061), I didn't think it was anything special, but the adjuster (dealership) keeps spouting off "Vin-verified" which sounded like a bunch of hoopla to me. He and I have both been trying to find the part locally (in the US) to no avail. Several dealerships have the part listed on their sites, but when you call/email them, they actually have to order them. Apparently, since it is going through my insurance, it had to be done with OEM parts.

Insurance is not totalling it, even though i've been in a rental at a cost of $2000/mo. Good point on loss of value.

And thanks for the welcome!

 

So I don't know anything about anything, and this next part is 100% speculation without me even bothering to google:

But from a manufacturing point of view it would make the most sense to source the sheet metal on the same continent as final assembly. Doors would be my last guess. If anything is coming from Japan on our trucks, I would have guessed an electronic module. I just can't think of one that would be damaged from a non-airbag impact like that.

 

Damn, that sucks. Hopefully they have you in an "equivalent class" rental if you had to wait that long. (I.e. pickup truck or full size SUV)

 

In a Chevy Colorado. Not sure if it's an "equivalent" though. Haha!

 

Have you thought about sourcing it recycled? Car-parts.com you could find a totaled Tacoma and have the recycler cut out the hinge pillar. But even though I can’t see the photo. Have you asked the shop to attempt to repair it since the back order is so long. Most shops are lazy and they rather cut and weld in the new part then repairing it.

Ask the insurance adjuster to adjust the time or have the shop settle with the OEM cost of replacement and repair that.

 

Sorry to hear about your truck. Depending on the trade-in offer and the price they give you on a new one it might make sense to go that route.

 

Please share some build pictures! Not a ton of access cabs around here and I’d love to see yours.

Sorry about the accident!

 

If it were me and if it were my truck (it's not) AND if the truck is drivable as-is, I'd be running until all of the parts come in. Doesn't look like the damage is serious enough to keep it off the road.
Assuming of course that's it's not already partially disassembled and sitting outside in the shop's yard. To much could happen to it while it's sitting there waiting for parts.
Yeah it's great that your insurance will cover a rental, but that rental isn't equipped the way your truck is.

 

Not in today's global supply chain. Most panels come from overseas. Heck, even crazy sounding things like granite are sourced overseas these days.

 

I think the Olympics have set them back on everything.

 

Thanks for site recommendation, i'll have to talk to the adjuster and see if that's an option. Supposedly, we're supposed to see movement on the part by the end of the week, but i've been told that before...

Everyday I wait, i'm leaning more and more this option. The way I figure is i'll take a hit, but walk away with a new truck with no accident history. Just waiting for the sales guy to get back to me with an offer... and another access cab to show up in the area.

It's nothing fancy, but sure, i'll find some pics to post. Went the access cab, long bed route because i'm fairly tall and can sort of fit in the back, but also like the shorter wheelbase of the access cab.

For sure, and i'm totally not the type to worry about a big dent, but they didn't realize the extent of the damage until the truck was pulled apart, at least that's what the shop told me.

 

If the guy responsible for pressing the button on the machine that makes my part is busy doing cartwheels for gold medals... i'm ok with that.

 

I am so confused as the Tacoma is a North American vehicle only, why would parts be coming from Japan where the Tacoma is not even sold?

 

Personally i think your in a pretty great scenario since your insurance is covering your rental. You get to drive a car for free for the next 6 months. I.e not putting miles/wear and tear on your taco.

 

Aren’t Tacomas made in Mexico or Texas? Waiting for Japan seems like somehow not possible? No offense.