Talk Me Off Of A Ledge...

A PT Cruiser smashed my back end. This is my first vehicle and the love of my life. Don’t tell my wife. I’m taking the smaller settlement in order to keep it. Any suggestions what I should do with it?

 

How’s the frame?

Sorry bout the damage. What a drag.

 

Doesn’t look too bad honestly, as long as the frame is ok. Tail gate is obviously fubar but you can probably find one.

 

If the frame is good, and it's not all rusted up or anything (assuming you live in Texas, should be good), keep it and join the tiregate club; we replaced our tailgates with a tiregate, so we get all the girls now

@eon_blue

 

Flatbed.

 

Damn PT Loser...

 

If it’s 4wd build a Truggy

If it’s 2wd build pre-runner

Neither needs that tailgate or bed!

 

Where ya at? How's the rest of the bed?

There was a taco bed in nice shape on Craigslist here in Houston the other day:

https://houston.craigslist.org/pts/d/pasadena-toyota-tacoma-bed/6973124901.html

 

Frame seems ok. Still drive like a dream too. Never had any mods so here’s my motivation to get started

 

It’s a 2wd and you have a fair point

 

That’s got my vote, if you have the means to build a nice pre-runner than you can keep your first and favorite vehicle pretty much Indefinitely. Be an awesome weekend toy to run around in.

Do it....

 

Flatbed...

 

Glad you're okay and that it still runs great! Tailgates and bumpers don't seem to be too expensive. You could bang the bed out with a hammer if its messed up a little?

 

Replace the bed, tailgate, and bumper. You can find used beds/tailgate/bumper in the junkyard or get new from the body shop if the driver at fault's insurance company will pay for it all.

 

OP it depends just how picky you are!!

New Bumper make sure the lights work.

Expanded metal lift out tail gate done.

Then you could have it returned to stock by a body shop for big $$$$

Since you settled with the other Insurance Company how much do you have to work with?

 

It's not that bad, of course you got hit by a plastic ball. Only needs a tailgate and maybe a new bed or reinforcing it. Only things gone ar the bumper brackets, so I'd check on the frame where they're bolted/welded up

 

Since the salvage value is so high, I’m getting $2600 so far. It was valued at $4100, which was surprisingly generous. I’m still trying to squeeze some more out of them if I can with a private appraisal.

 

Usually a rear end impact is enough to push the bed into the cab. Check at the bottom of the rear window where the bed lines up with the cab. Is it damaged?

 

i have to agree with BartMaster1234 double check because damages that dont look bad or look fine end up giving you the most headaches. lol take it from me but if everything looks good & cherry then Build my man Build until you cant build no more lmao. or just replace gate and bumper

 

it was not my sister's PT Cruiser that hit it, her's has been parked on the street for several years now with an un-diagnosed mechanical problem! while i keep on truckin' in my old Tacoma