**accident photos**totaled or not?**

[Anonymous4Runner]

First off, this is not a newbie that just signed up on T4R Forums. I frequented this website under a different alias for a while in the past. Due to this ongoing legal case that is taking place against me, I cannot publicly disclose information that may incriminate me later on in court. If you do recognize me by remembering the truck I posted to show to everyone else on this forum in the past, please do certainly respect my privacy by not revealing my real alias or identity as my name can possibly come up in a thorough google investigation (who knows if lawyers uses google to find dirt...?)

At the time, I wasn't in the right state of mind where I would have taken detailed pictures of the impacted area on my precious 4Runner by going under the truck. I had my truck towed to a prominent dealership here in my area where it also specializes in body repair. I will only say that the truck ran into a brick-layered mailbox where it is approximately the same height, if not; 4-6 higher than the truck's height and proceeded to knock down a utility light pole that is about 9.3 ft tall. The tow driver did something that I didn't think was possible, and that was installing a second set of tires under the front tires because of the right tire. I noticed that there was a long metal pipe / rod that was somewhat disconnected from the front right tire therefore the tow truck driver did not want to risk the chance of the truck 'shifting' over while the actual tow truck itself made turns. Could my front axle be finished? Note: I have a front suspension kit. I haven't heard back from the dealership yet, but I dread the moment when they do because I am scared to hear the damages. It was my first and still is my first vehicle that my father had gotten me for my 15th birthday.

Summary: My truck is ****ed, and I am sad. Is my truck completely totaled? If not, can you provide somewhat a solid ballpark figure in terms of damages to have it repaired? (Just don't throw out a frivolous price like... $10,350 to repair).


Without further ado...(and an unfortunate one), here are the pictures you all most likely clicked on the thread for.


http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/338/photo1wx.jpg

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/266/photo2gl.jpg

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/687/photogxz.jpg


Oh, the most important thing is that I am okay with a slight sore neck

 

[Bamf_CT2004]

frame bent or not?

 

[Anonymous4Runner]

I am fairly sure if the frame is what I am talking about, then yes. I talked to a friend of mine who's into cars (landrovers especially), but he's no expert on cars but he did estimate that it would cost about 2 large to repair the frame and he did think it was the frame that was impacted too when I talked to him this morning.

 

[JWaldz]

Just to help people out i image linked your pics for you

I'm sure if the frame is bent then it's totaled. Too old of a vehicle and if the damage is over a certain percentage of the value of the vehicle they will total it. I know it's a sentimental vehicle but ya never know, Some people come out even or ahead in the end. I dunno your whole situation and what/who is involved so I'm sure there are other factors.

Good luck whatever happens, glad you're alright.

 

[Gerdo]

In the second picture it looks like the impact wend down the side of the frame.
Did the airbags go off?
It really doesn't look that bad to me.
If you can, without disturbing your legal issues, start removing panels (fender, hood, bumper, grill, grill guard, headlight) so you can see the actual frame.
Removing this junk will reduce your costs also if you take it to a body shop. The less they have to do, the less it'll cost.

 

[A.Wilson013]

The frame is the big ol' hunk of metal that runs from your front bumper, to your rear bumper. It's strangely reminiscent of a, well, a frame. It's boxy, in nature.

I feel fairly confident that your insurance will go ahead and total that out for ya. I will not embarass myself by throwing a repair quote out there, but it will be a pretty penny to have a shop do it.

Now if you wanted to fix it yourself with junk yard parts... a few hundy and I bet you'd be good to go.

 

[Anonymous4Runner]

Thanks for everyone's wonderful support & heartwarming words.


As for the frame, I am somewhat certain the frame is bented toward the right side of the frame because I did notice the tow truck driver had to kick the crap out of the tire to 'force' the tire to go back into its place (like how you park with front tires facing forward at a straight angle) before installing a second set of tires. As for my insurance...I'm actually scared & shaking in my boxers about getting a call back along with an estimate to repair the 4Runner...if it is totaled, I don't know what vehicle to get next. I mean, I made a vow that I would try at least keep this truck for another 15-20 years because it was the first vehicle I've driven in my life. I have a minor dent on the other side (specifically the right side of the truck 2-4 inches to the far left near the window's bottom left corner) but wow, this one sure made a FREAKIN' DENT. I sure hope to god Insurance is on my side this time...instead of corporate's side...

 

[Anonymous4Runner]

The frame is the big ol' hunk of metal that runs from your front bumper, to your rear bumper. It's strangely reminiscent of a, well, a frame. It's boxy, in nature.

I feel fairly confident that your insurance will go ahead and total that out for ya. I will not embarass myself by throwing a repair quote out there, but it will be a pretty penny to have a shop do it.

Now if you wanted to fix it yourself with junk yard parts... a few hundy and I bet you'd be good to go.

Unfortunately I'm not savvy with cars & I only have few friends (whose availability is very rare to everyone being away at college including me) that works on cars...I'd rather drink beer and enjoy my summer with bros-n-hos instead of sweating my butt off trying to work on my truck with absolute zero knowledge about cars repair wise (no offense to you all who enjoys a good evening of brew & fine tuning your vehicles, i commend you all for that from my heart. it is very american-like and every man should do it including me)


edit:the part where you said you'd rather not make yourself look a fool throwing a ballpark figure out there gave me a chuckle. I needed that after getting through tough times. Thanks

 

[Gerdo]

A bent frame is not the end of the world, they can be straightened.

If it is for sale, where do you live? (general area) It doesn't scare me.

 

[Anonymous4Runner]

I live in Virginia. I doubt my dad would allow a sale of the truck transaction if it wasn't as equal to the price insurance would pay. However, if you are interested regardless, and if there is a possibility my dad would sell it anyway (just assuming he wouldn't but he could always change his mind as he has done it before with other things), do contact me as I will certainly bring up the topic with him. Are you interested in restoring or just tearing it apart for your '00 4Runner? Just curious. PM is fine if you want to talk more further there

 

[A.Wilson013]

Unfortunately I'm not savvy with cars & I only have few friends (whose availability is very rare to everyone being away at college including me) that works on cars...

I was in the same boat about 2 years ago brother. Then I paid some guy with an IQ of about 12, $1,800 to replace my wifes clutch. Time to learn!

 

[BrianSD_42]

OP STATED:

as my name can possibly come up in a thorough google investigation (who knows if lawyers uses google to find dirt...?

You may already be aware of this but this entire site is indexed an searchable through Google. Using Google to search the site is often more effective than the site's own search engine. I know you are "anonymous" but I doubt you are really that hard to find. It is a good thing you didn't post full pics of your truck.


IN FACT ...

I simply typed "4Runner accident" into Google, limited the search to within one month and this thread is the 7th link on the first page.

LOL.


THUMBNAIL



:happens:

 

[Singtoe]

I am going to to say it. It is Totaled. I have seen too many 4runners that have not been damaged nearly as bad at the salvage yards.

It will need:
Fender
Bumper
Hood
grill
radiator support
brush gaurd
1 hour repair on door
hood hinges
hood latch
washer tank
air cleaner
inner fender
front frame support
headlight
turn signal
3 hour repair to replace inner fender
3 hour repair to replace radiator support
Alignment
and paint

 

[Dous]

Ditto what Singtoe said. My friends 4runner, a 2000 Limited, got rear ended. Just needed a new rear hatch. It was quickly totatled by the insurance company, they stated that it bent the frame, although I couldn't see it being tweaked that bad. It just showed me how little it takes to total a vehcile that has some age to it

 

[sportscarfan]

TACO TIME!

If you haven't already heard from the insurance company, it's total'd.
I'll prepare you for their offer:
Shop around for 4runner's in your area with similar miles.
Take the low end of the average price you find.
Subtract your deductible from that.

 

[Singtoe]

Buy it back from the Ins and fix it.

Or

Buy it back from the ins and resale it here on the forum. Could make your deductible back if not not more.

 

[nilson]

I completely smashed my 96 4Runner in 2009. Everything forward of the windshield was toast (engine and frame were 95% OK though). Both airbags deployed and the fan clutch was bent. I bought a 98 4Runner that had been rolled but with a running 5VZ-FE and transplanted its frontend onto mine. Still needs paint and some minor fixins but I was able to do all this myself with no prior autobody experience.

$900 for the rolled parts 'Runner
$500 in misc parts

Unfortunately I don't have any good photos of the smashed truck handy... was too sad to take many pics I guess. I'll see if I can dig some up later. She's in good shape these days and I got a super-cheap spare engine out of the deal!

Still got the parts 'Runner, but there isn't anything to 'part out' on it really unless someone semi-local wants the transmission or rear axle. I'm keeping the engine to rebuild. Interior is all mildew.

 

[nilson]

Also, insurance treated me nice on a totaled '03 Tacoma Prerunner. Things hold a lot of value. $21k new, $17.5k from insurance 5 years later.

 

[josh.bunch]

Sorry bud, that thing is totaled. RC4R had a similar but far less severe accident over the summer and his was totaled. He got it all fixed though. It was a passengers side front fender and some passengers side suspension stuff.

Good luck.

 

[theizzardking]

yep totaled, at least by insurance standards, buy it back from them and either build into a wheeling rig or part it out and use that money for your new rig, whatever it may be. i bet you can probably get that back from the insurance company for around 1-2k easy.