So, wifey got a bit personal with a car in front of her and I'm going to need a new hood, bumper, headlights and grill (at least). I'll be going through an insurance claim. Since I'm replacing things anyway, anyone have suggestions for parts to upgrade instead of going OEM? I'm willing to put in a little bit of money on top of insurance if it gets me good stuff.

A few thoughts I've had:

• Grill: I will likely get an OEM Limited color-matched grill instead of the chrome.
• Bumper: I would want something reasonably subtle, that doesn't require beefier suspension, is not a damage multiplier, and isn't crazy-expensive...sooo I'm thinking that doesn't exist?
• Headlights: Definitely willing to upgrade here, but I don't think I've seen aftermarket headlights that are actually as good or better than OEM.

Any thoughts?

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Did you check your inner fender, fender well, and where it attaches to the firewall? For buckling and or tearing from the firewall.

Looks like a lighter hit than my '09,

I haven't, but the adjuster is coming today to look at it. I will go over it with him.

If it were me, I would get the Sport hood with scoop!

Hmm I do love the way it looks...but I'd have to get over my embarrassment of driving around with a non-functional, aesthetic-only hood scoop.

My front end may give you some ideas. I replaced to the limited grill. Changed the headlights. Albeit, it is very dirty.

Do a 12-15 Tacoma front end conversion!

I'm intrigued. Is this a thing people do? Any pics and/or writeups?

I was just throwing it out there. It's definitely not bolt-on.

This one is sparklerauto


This one is tha.skid.kid on ig (his doing his own one fiberglass one piece hood/fender)

As far as the headlights go, I personally will never buy aftermarket headlights again. I spent a lot of money buying aftermarket projector headlights, led tail lights, led signals, etc. They didn't even last a full year, whereas stock lights look good, perform good, etc. The way I think about it, Toyota already spent the money making these things and making them to last, so they won't get a bad reputation for the housing falling apart (which mine did), or for the LEDs not lighting up properly (which mine did). The oem stuff just works. For a long time. If you want to upgrade the light, throw some LED replacement bulbs from superbrightleds.com in the stock housings and call it good. Just my .02 from past experience. Good luck getting it sorted out!

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Well the adjuster came yesterday, and I'm just barely under the limit for total loss. At this point I'm worried the shop will find a bit of hidden damage and it will end up getting totalled at that point.

Do the work yourself, tell them to quit adding items to the adjustment, but inform you what needs to be addressed. This should keep it from being totaled (bring it right up to the totaled line) and your sweat equity will allow you to repair to your design.

You could also buy it back and do the work yourself, ask your insurance what the buyback value would be if totaled.

Or take the money and buy a new one

this..

and if you want the ulitmate upgrade do the tacoRunner front. like the above pix. you can either source all the parts used, OEM aftermarket, and get aftermarket headlights. too. I mean personally id really would go that way. But do at your own risk because i have no clue what things are needed to make it fit. but it would def look super cool.

Definitely more work than I want to do myself. Either it's covered or I'll take the check. Just not relishing the months of searching for a replacement.

Finally done! I'm very happy with how it came out.

...But now I need to replace the chrome garnish on the rear hatch with body color too.

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