Totaled my 98, on to 01 what would you keep?

Hey folks, been lurking a bit here and there for small maintenance and repair jobs for my 98 in the past. Finally made an account.

Totaled my 98, sad times. I was driving in California on the 128, great drive--but a deer jumped out in front of me as I was going around a sharp bend. I slammed on my breaks, skidded, hit the deer, which went all the way under my truck out the other end and lived. As I skidded I went off the road a little as I was on a sharp bend, there was no shoulder, my front right tire hit the embankment which basically rock and dirt wall. The impact was only on the tire which was great enough to break my steering rack housing in half, pop the tie rod off, bend the sub frame, and probably tweek a few other things. The frame could be bent also although I did not pay to put it on a frame machine. Everything under the hood is still great, and many other components. Glad that I am OK, and on to a new 2001 3.4 L V6 4x4 124k miles, my 98 was very similar also 3.4 L V6 4x4 pretty much stock 185k miles, I think it has tow package. I do not have a place to store the 98 long term and need to get rid of it eventually. Wish I could keep it for parts.

What would you folks do in this situation, sell 98 as is? keep some parts, if so what? Looking for insight right now. So far I am thinking about keeping the hitch and wiring from the 98 and putting on my 01.

 

There are several differences between the 98 and the 01. There were significant changes for the 2001-2004 models.

The hitch should move right over, though.

Unless you have specific mods you did to the 98, like a bed box or something, I wouldn’t bother keeping it or any of the parts on it. Either part it out or sell it whole. Parting it out will get more cash in your pocket, but is a pain in the ass and time consuming.

 

The 128? In Mendocino, Sonoma or Napa counties? I've had about a dozen near head-on's in Mendocino alone... Twice that in near deer encounters...

If you don't have a place to store it and part it out, I'd sell it as is.

 

I appreciate the advice.

Yeah, I think my bed box will move right over, I made it easy to take apart. Going to trade the camper shell for a white one to match the 01.

 

Mendocino, going from the 101 to the 1. I saw a wild pig too, wish I hit that instead. woulda been pretty cool to show up with a hog!

Edit: Thanks, I will look into the differences.

Edit: I feel like Mendocino is where Tacomas go to die.

 

I hit a deer, or rather, a deer hit me as I was driving my brand new 4Runner. Hadn’t even made the first payment yet!

I can tell you’re from So Cal: “the 101”

 

WOW, I am super paranoid about my 01 now. That sucks.

Bay Area, guess I call it 101 sometimes too.

 

I'd part that sucker out! The more specific you can whittle things down to like door parts etc the more you'll make off of it, especially if throw them up on eBay. I'd say the driveshafts and the cv axles if still in good condition are worth keeping.

 

How bad is the damage? I might be interested in buying the whole truck.

 

Yeah well theres no body damage but things are bent. let's put it on a lift for you to see whats going on.

 

A v6 conversion Tyler?

 

That's the way to do it.

 

Oh hell yeah a v6 conversion. The 3RZ is a little too underwhelming for me.