Rebuilding a Wrecked '01

Hello everyone! I just purchased this '01 Tacoma with a mere 107,000mi.

Zero rust, including the frame and despite the front end damage it starts right up and idles smooth and quiet with absolutely no noises, believe it or not! Underneath is dry except the coolant leakage from the damaged radiator and the power steering still works (was concerned about this since it runs on the belt and is located in the front of the engine. The radiator is pushed into the front of the engine.

The hit happened above the frame rail and there are no tweaks in it whatsoever.

Preliminary examination; need front core, bumper, grill, driver fender, inner apron, radiator, hood, driver airbag/sensor, and headlights.

I will be removing the damaged parts this week and sending it to a body shop to have it pulled.

I will be needing these parts, so any help is appreciated. There is no damage to the passenger side including the fender, and all of the body lines are straight.

I've only done this type of project once before about 12 years ago on a Kia, so I am definitely a novice, but I've done a twin turbo swap on a BMW and a engine swap on a '87 Chevy R10 (C10), so I'm pretty handy with tools and rather resourceful.

I couldn't pass up on the deal because the frame looks almost new (truck was stored inside a warehouse and rarely used), super clean underneath like a brand new truck, low mileage, and the fact that the accident occurred just last week so it hasn't been sitting with the damage.

 

Welcome! Had the same truck, damage not as bad but I Let insurance total it. You can find all the parts cheap and rebuild

 

Lets see some before pictures and some pictures as you go.

Good news, lots of body parts available with all the rusted frames.
The buy sell trade link has a lot of people parting them out too
It sounds straight forward and simple enough.

 

I know I know had them up and decided to blank out the license plate. I gotcha!

 

Thanks very much! Looks alot like mine. Yep, I've got a bit more to do for sure!

 

I think the bumper will probably be the hardest thing to find.
Once you get the old out, check the fan, and the bearing the fan blade mounts to.
New AC condenser and filter drier too. when you pull the old one out seal it up the best you can so moisture and dirt will not get into the AC system.
You will need to leak check the AC and pull a good vacuum but other than that it all looks straight forward and completely doable.

 

+1 on the bumper, but this is an awesome deal and there are many more like it! have had nothing but excellent experience on ebay with exterior parts for these trucks! good luck op https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-2001-2...:ShippingMethodStandard!16701!US!-1:rk:8:pf:0

 

Confidence builder for sure, thank you. I'll definitely do everything you suggested. I'm actually pretty excited!

 

So glad to hear, btw, I paid $1000 bucks for it.

I'm assuming that bumper "kit" will work on a 2wd as well? On my Ebay watchlist for sure.

 

it most definately will, even comes with new brackets. it says it fits 2001-2004 2wd, pre runner, and 4wd models, which makes sense, all of them share the same mounting points for a bumper. and god damn, thats a steal. good for you!!! super jealous haha.

 

Excellent! I'll order it tomorrow.

Just a routine internet scan and I found it. Was just listed 15 minutes before I came across it and was only 5 miles away. I was the first person to show up and after inspecting it and contemplating if I could do it myself I pulled the trigger. Clear title too.

Wife would expect me to flip it, disclosing the previous damage of course despite the clear title, but if she let's me I'd like to keep it. I've always had an eye for these and know it'll last me forever once I fix it.

 

clear title makes the deal, that truck is 6k to the right guy fixed up perfect! cant wait to see where this goes

 

Oh yeah!!! I like to hear that. Tempted to keep it though....

 

Pic of the frame rail behind the driver rear wheel. Should I treat it with anything should I decide to keep it?

 

Yes, I’ve heard chainsaw oil sticks better than fluid film but can’t verify because I haven’t tried it. You could wipe it down with used motor oil too if you are cheap like me

 

I'll go the motor oil route. Appreciate it!

 

amazing condition for a Midwestern truck imo

 

Can anyone tell me the process of safely replacing the airbag in the steering wheel and the location of the sensor that triggered it? I assume I can install a un-triggered bag and sensor from another vehicle, and the sensor would need to be replaced first then the bag (ideally with the battery disconnected)?