End of an era for me.

Sad times my friends, my 1st Gen. Tacoma has seen it’s last days. My son was borrowing my truck to run an error and met with parking lot light bollard, those darn things WORK let me tell you. He’s ok, a little sore and no one else hurt or involved. I am so sad that I will not be able to fix this. I put about $4k into motor and what not about 1.5 years ago, won’t be able to fully recoup that. And since my pay got cut to about a third of what I use to make, can’t replace it. Just a really crappy time right now. I had plans to get it back to almost new condition and just make it my little project.
Going to try and sell it on a Facebook Market maybe I can get something for it. I’ve never sold a vehicle that is this damaged. Except for radiator and bent cooling fan, oil and transmission seem fine. Can’t start it. Could anyone hazard a guess on what I could get for it?

Houston Area
1 owner
2001 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner
Engine - 2.7L 2RZFE
Mileage- 297,000

 

First off, glad your son is okay

Why don't you want to buy it back from insurance and repair it yourself?

 

He must have been flying thru that parking lot.

 

A Chevrolet dealer pkg lot

 

I'd say at least 25-30 mph

 

I’m not that talented to repair that kind of damage. Cutting and welding etc. Plus I do not own the right tools nor have $$ for tools or labor. If I had my old job maybe.
He said he was going 15 to 20 MPH, looked at damn cell phone, thought he was pasted the bollards. Insurance nor PD called only had liability

 

With that being said, I'd guess $1,500 to $2,000 tops since it has so many miles. Even though you rebuilt the engine it still won't bring a whole lot.

 

pretty sure that's just a random pic of a parking lot bollard off the internet for reference

If the damage is mostly cosmetic plus the fan and radiator, and the frame is good...I would get a shop estimate for it to be fixed, then subtract that from the value of the truck in good condition and start there. Might only end up being a couple grand though, I'm not sure what high mileage Prerunners go for in your area. But someone looking for a deal that could easily tackle that repair themselves would probably jump on it. Doesn't sound like it's too bad of a repair for someone with the time to take it on.

It's a shame the hood got crunched but other than that, sourcing a new bumper and a fan/radiator is easy stuff really. Hoods are too, but a brand new Toyota one is going to cost a pretty penny. Would be better to look for a used one in the same color. Looks like the fenders are OK...did it mess up the suspension at all? Alignment good or whacky?

 

So sad. Even though I have a 3rd Gen Tacoma I love the 1st Gens. A Texas truck on top of it too. Somebody has to save it.

 

Maybe some locals help you fixing the damages. They can bring tools or you take the truck to their garage or shop. Just a thought.

Sorry to hear about your truck and glad that your son is okay.

 

We are collectively sad.

 

Yeah, I hate to say it but in Houston that's not worth anything unless you part it and then you may as well fix.

Only welding (most likely) is core support but really, that's so minor of welds (spots) some have drilled and bolted them on.

Even if something did get bent if it drives ok it's better than 60% of Houston vehicles.

 

if you were in Cali this would have been swooped up and turned around in one night. Seriously it doesn't look bad.

 

thing should sell quick... if it weren’t 14 hours away from me id buy it. probably doesnt need much to get up and running again

 

I agree with your advice, but would add, I got my hood off Rock Auto for under $100.

My estimate on parts is about $7-900.00 just based on what it cost me to rebuild the front of mine 1.5 yrs ago. My AC condenser and dryer both shot, in addition to radiator, grill, bumper, 1 fender, battery, and hood. This estimate is not including paint. That depends on how much he needs to repaint.

 

Sorry about your truck. I’d try finding another high mileage first gen and use the damaged truck for parts.

 

faulty airbag then. Really it looks slow speed to me.

 

airbags wont deploy depending on Where the trucks hit.. hell my 05 tundras airbags didnt deploy when it was rolled doing 70

 

You would think centerpunching a pole would shake them hard enough. You see the thread of the 3rd Gen with a cab full of airbag from a deer with virtually no damage?

 

depends on how high or how low it gets hit too. airbags are a funky system