[jminn723]

Hate for this to be my first post in this forum, but here we go. Hopefully some of you guys can ease my struggles. I was just in a front end collision with my mint condition 3rd gen, 96 , limited 4x4. I was trying to turn left through a line of busy traffic. I was let through the first lane but a guy speeding through the center lane came up too quick for me to catch before it was too late. So now my insurance wants to total it. Im not an expert but the damage looks reasonably repairable. The main issues are the airbags, which deployed, and frontal frame damage. Cosmetically everything on the front needs replaced - windshield, fenders, bumper, grill, hood, etc. As well as maybe a new radiator. But everything under the hood appears to still be in good shape; she still starts like a champ! So insurance wants to give me 6700 for it, which isnt bad, and enough for another 4runner. The only problem is that you cant really find this generation 4runner in prime condition in my area for that price (not many 4x4s in Houston, Texas). ive been looking around and nothing feels like itd be a suitable replacement for MY 4RUNNER. So would this be worth going through the trouble of repairing? Can a 4runner bounce back from this kind of damage??? Or should I just suck it up and wait for the heavens to provide me another? I really want to hold on to this beauty. Didnt even have her for a year and she was barely almost at 160k if I have to buy another though I've been thinking of getting some extra cash and upgrading to a 4th gen maybe. Thank you so much for any input!

[MStudt]

Get under it and take a look at the frame. The radiator core support is trashed, but those aren't that strong either. The most important thing is that the frame isn't out of square. If you have frame demand that'll need to be straightened, that can get costly. Everything can be found pretty easy, and you should be able to repair it for around $600-$$$$ depending on what you get.

It doesn't look like the frame is damaged from the picture. The lights still look to be in good shape. Just from the pictures you'll need a bumper, drive side fender, little metal thingy below the driver side light, core support, and skids.

Let the insurance company total it out, and you can buy it back. Take the left over cash and fix it up.

[Troybylt]

Originally Posted by MStudt

Get under it and take a look at the frame. The radiator core support is trashed, but those aren't that strong either. The most important thing is that the frame isn't out of square. If you have frame demand that'll need to be straightened, that can get costly. Everything can be found pretty easy, and you should be able to repair it for around $600-$$$$ depending on what you get.

It doesn't look like the frame is damaged from the picture. The lights still look to be in good shape. Just from the pictures you'll need a bumper, drive side fender, little metal thingy below the driver side light, core support, and skids.

Let the insurance company total it out, and you can buy it back. Take the left over cash and fix it up.

Hey Mike, I'm gonna piggyback on this and ask about the Airbags as it's something I have worried about, he said they deployed, I guarantee that's why they totaled it, what would you do as a fix from them? I considered it would be possible to just rip them out, but is that road legal?

Other wise like Mike said the damage doesn't look that bad, most likely fix able for cheep especially if you pull junkyard used parts and do everything that you can by yourself. Just get that frame checked out.

[mxer]

Take the money and buy another. You'll find one's newer with that kind of mileage for what they'll give you.

[waxwingedgambler]

1997 T4R, Limited 4X2

Bottle of gatorade rolled under my brake pedal, and I rear-ended a Camry. No injury or harm to anyone, and her car wasn't very damaged. Mine, however was pretty harsh. Radiator got pushed in, leaked coolant, and touched the timing belt in a way that made it screech when I drove to the side after the accident.

My bumper is pushed in, mostly on the passenger side. Right front turn signal is broken, and my right headlight is held to the frame by zipties, but at least it still works.

I was considering going to the junkyard and picking up a replacement bumper, but I can't reach the passenger side bolts on my truck to remove the bumper. The frame is bent where it attaches to the bumper.

What are my options? I really want to replace the bumper, but the frame is pretty damaged. I replaced the radiator, and pulled it forward so it runs beautifully. It's just the aesthetics that are bothering me...

[ziegler]

I have a 2000 and was just involved in front end collision.

Rock auto Prices and labor done by myself

Core Support $51
Radiator $82
Fan $28
Shroud $39
Condensor $50
Hood $80-craigslist
Bumper Looking for tube bumper
Headlights $36 each
Grille $60

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Yea I had the same thing happen to me last week pocketed 2 grand and did it myself keep it if ya can

[waxwingedgambler]

Was the core support welded to the frame? How did you go about installing that? I'd love to see pics of progress/repair process if you have any...trying to do as much as I can myself, with the tools I have. No access to welding tools at my house

Originally Posted by ziegler

I have a 2000 and was just involved in front end collision.

Rock auto Prices and labor done by myself

Core Support $51
Radiator $82
Fan $28
Shroud $39
Condensor $50
Hood $80-craigslist
Bumper Looking for tube bumper
Headlights $36 each
Grille $60

[mckennar]

Originally Posted by waxwingedgambler

Was the core support welded to the frame? How did you go about installing that? I'd love to see pics of progress/repair process if you have any...trying to do as much as I can myself, with the tools I have. No access to welding tools at my house

Core support is spot welded to the body itself in a dozen or so places. You'll need to drill, cut or air-chisel it off, get a new core support, line up the holes by straightening the metal behind it using the new core support as a template, then secure it to the rest of the body shell.

Or, have a pro do it.

Here's someone who replaced their core support... albeit with Tacoma parts. But it gives some insight as to what's needed.

New to me 4runner

Good luck.

[soupkitchen]

my wife ran hers into a parking lot light pole with the huge yellow base...said the sun was in her eyes....while ins did total it, I bought it back for 300 bucks with a clean title and fixed it over a weekend. Besides the cosmetic stuff, I just cut a core support off one at the junkyard and drilled out the spot welds and bolted the new one in place....everything lines up great!

Your's looks totally repairable.
We put another 20k miles on it after the repair, my brother just bought it from me since we got an FJ...still going strong at 250k....

[ziegler]

Yeah there aint much to it! Good work soupkitchen!

[amalik]

Originally Posted by soupkitchen

my wife ran hers into a parking lot light pole with the huge yellow base...said the sun was in her eyes....while ins did total it, I bought it back for 300 bucks with a clean title and fixed it over a weekend. Besides the cosmetic stuff, I just cut a core support off one at the junkyard and drilled out the spot welds and bolted the new one in place....everything lines up great!

Your's looks totally repairable.
We put another 20k miles on it after the repair, my brother just bought it from me since we got an FJ...still going strong at 250k....

Is core support those 2 horizontal bars on the radiator, or those odd-shaped toe things sticking out of the bottom?

Also, your picture looks like there was driver-side fender damage. You repaired that also?

[soupkitchen]

Originally Posted by amalik

Is core support those 2 horizontal bars on the radiator, or those odd-shaped toe things sticking out of the bottom?

Also, your picture looks like there was driver-side fender damage. You repaired that also?

the support is the whole front piece from fender to fender...I circled in red. Since the driver side fender support was smashed on hers i made a cut halfway up and spliced the to together. You will see all the little spot welds where is attaches. Pretty easy job with a good drill and metal bits...hammer and flat head.

I circled in yellow the fender support side. I just cut the bad off and meshed the new together....I was lucky and the truck at the yard was black so i used its fender.

I didn't want to try and straighten the old stuff because I really dont think anything would have lined up. This way it looks nice and clean and you'd never know it was wreck unless you were really looking hard for it.

[soupkitchen]

here's the pic, sorry

[Johny Octane]

That is totally repairable! I agree 5-600 bucks with what can be seen. Mine just got totaled earlier this year, much worse shape I'm fixing my old one and buying another with the payout. Buy another with your check if you get one and fix that one in spare time?