Part it out, sell it as a parts truck, or?

I had posted earlier that my frame went on my 2002 Tacoma sr 5 extended cab 4x4. I have an option to sell it to a junk yard, part it out, or sell it as it is as a parts truck. It has about 130,00 miles on it. The tires are very good. My question is: What is the best road to take from here. Are there enough people out there that are looking for parts? Is tearing it apart for all those parts a waste of time and would it be better to sell it as a whole parts truck? Should I contact several junk yards for offers? What could I expect to get from them? Basically, I think it's a cost-time problem. Is it worth the time to tear it apart and sell the parts individually or save all the time and trouble and sell it whole? Thanks in advance for your help..................Frankie

 

It's hard to answer that question without knowing what type of situation you're in. To some, it's totally worth it, but to others, it's not worth the hassle. It really depends on how much time/effort you want to put into it.

If you want to contact junk yards for offers, go for it. Then you'll have a baseline of what you may be able to get for it, and you can go from there...

If you sell it as-is, you likely won't get much for it, but probably significantly more than a junk yard would offer I'd imagine.

Two other options would be to repair the frame (once again, depending on time/effort you're willing to invest in it) or buy another cheap truck with a good frame and swap frames yourself.

 

Not to thread jack or anything, but where did you go to have your frame checked out? I have an 01 and I guess I would like the piece of mind from having it checked. Should I just go to the dealership?

 

Are these trucks not still eligible for frame replacements?

 

From what I’ve read, no.

 

Well that sucks. What a shame because at that few miles the rest of the truck is probably fine

 

The '04's still are, but nothing prior to that.

 

Agreed.
I would either buy another and swap/save parts like mentioned above, or part out. Best bang for buck.
People like me are always looking for parts.

 

Thank you for the reply. I think that swaping frames myself is not impossible but perhaps impracticle. This is because I have to work outside and I'll be 67 in May. The frame is in REALLY bad shape so having it repaired would probably cost more that the truck is worth, much more. So, when I really think about it, it seems that my only viable options are parting or selling whole. Parting it out would again mean working outside in to elements. Thinking about that, what is my time worth? I'd still have to be laying out in the street on my back doing the work. And how easy would it be to separate all the salable parts from the body of the truck. I appreciate your reply as it has made me give closer consideration to all the options. Upon thinking about it, I have reached considerable clarity. It seems now that my best options are selling 'as is' or a junk yard. Thanks for giving me the extra push to think it out......................Frankie

 

Oh if you had space to store parts buying another ( with a healthy frame) and stripping the current truck would be ideal

 

Good luck whichever route you go

 

I went to have the oil changed at Pep Boys and they wouldn't put it up on the lift 2 weeks ago. Normally I'm under my cars doing my own work. I bought the truck about 3 years ago and NEVER had any problems with it and hence never had to crawl under it and look around. I took it to the dealership after Pep Boys and their eyes popped out when they saw the frame. The guy that does the frames said it was the second worst one he'd had seen. They gave me the number for Toyota and I called them from the dealership. I was informed that the recall ended in 2011 for the 2002, well before I even owned it...............Frankie

 

Not after 2011...................Frankie

 

I have been in this situation more then once. If you have the room to park the vehicle my recommendation would be to part it out. Just like most junk yards, have the person interested, wrench the parts off. After you have most of the valuable parts off (interior, drive line, motor etc...) then contact a junk yard and they will haul it off for another $200 to $300. When I have done this in the past I always leave the wheels on so I can move it if I have to.

 

What motor and transmission?

 

You will get more money if you part it out, but if you don't have the time or patience best option is to sell it as is. Selling it to a junkyard won't get you much but listing it on craigslist would to an independent party.

 

I'm possibly looking for a 2.7 trans and tcase, automatic.
If you have the room, it might be beneficial to part it out. Although I see that you are an older gentleman and that might probe difficult.

Not sure what a salvage yard would pay but it's also worth a shot.

If the trans is auto, I would consider it and the tcase depending on where you live.

 

I'm going outside to take all my things out of it and take some photos of it and place it on craigslist as you suggested..............Frankie

 

Depending on the price it might be easier if you just took the whole truck. If you are trying to convert to 4WD there are all these little things that you need that ended up costing me a lot.

Little things like the dipstick tube and rod. Mine didn't come with one and my A340E one won't work. $88 new from Toyota which was 1/2 the cost of the entire transmission.