It's the weirdest thing. The first thing tweakers do when they steal a car is start playing electrician, which half the time usually means just screwing digital devices directly into shit.
The damage sucks but ultimately it's not horrendous, new fender and hood and you'll be squared. I wouldn't get too down in the dumps about it especially if you have a parts vehicle. If you have frame damage it would probably be minimal, and anyone with a frame rack should be able to pull it back no problem. I've seen some gnarly wrecks be fixed with frame racks - and a competent technician of course. They're only as good as the person running it.
The worst part is if they weren't caught then I almost guarantee they stole a car from that neighborhood after they ditched yours. I knew a former addict that used to do exactly that; smoke meth with his friends, steal a car, smoke and drive it till it's out of gas, ditch it and grab another, rinse repeat. It's one of their many "hobbies," like stealing from clothing donation bins.

I keep an Apple Air Tag hidden underneath the rear carpets where it would really hard to locate just in case someone steals my rig. Only cost me $30 for the Air Tag and it seems as though it will pin the vehicle’s location just about anywhere it goes.

Something to be aware of, if you (or anyone else) are near an air tag that isn't recognized by your phone for a period of time your phone will alert you. Apple AirTags 'Anti-Stalker' Feature Explained: How It Can Track Thieves | PetaPixel

"iOS devices can also detect an AirTag that isn’t with its owner, and notify the user if an unknown AirTag is seen to be traveling with them from place to place over time."

Does LoJack still exist?


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I have an airtag on a keychain hook installed behind the radio bezel, nobody in my truck has gotten a notification yet, it's done well so far for only being 25$

I found a place to park it for the last few months. I have some time off from work this month and decided to address the truck.

I have been able to rebuild the ignition and dash around the steering column. I pulled the fender off and the frame looks intact. I pulled the fender from the donor and it is in perfect shape. I am talking to a shop about getting the bumper and brackets bent back into proper shape. Depending on the cost I may have them paint the donor bumper or just leave it green.

Fixing the truck made me realize how much I enjoy driving/owning that machine!

PS - I bought a Delica while I was considering what to do with the 4Runner. Getting parts is such a pain in the ass! Makes me appreciate working on the Toyotas.

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Delica enthusiasts are a special breed. I know one and I support your peculiar choice - those things are nuts.

Airtag users - it is super easy to pop out the speaker (it's magnetic - not soldered) so that even when the thief gets notified they are being stalked (at least a day later) they can't locate it with the Play a Sound function. Popped mine out the other day. That and a fuel cutoff I religiously engage gives me a little peace of mind, but certainly not total. Mainly I can see that my car is still wherever I parked it.

Edit - added a screen grab of a YT video showing the 3 Sharpie spots where the retainer clips are located. With the tip of a pocket or utility knife you can work the spots in the seam and separate the 2 parts of the motherboard housing. I managed not to break off any tabs and it snapped (firmly) back together......

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Check with people/groups based out of the PNW. British Columbia was effectively Japan's dumping ground for Delicas and plenty have spilled over the border over the years. I see one bumbling around here maybe once every other week
A buddy of mine was thinking of buying one; RHD, diesel, only 90k miles and not a spec of rust anywhere, interior was in perfect shape - all for only $8,000. So my friend took it to get an inspection, was told it needed a new timing belt and water pump... then proceeded to lowball the guy at $5,000 He promptly sold it to another person happily willing to pay full price

damn, they mangled the heck out of your baby

Sorry you're having to go through this.