New! From California!

[Jackiee]

Hey guys, I'm new here.
But basically let me just get to the point.
I am a female and honestly I don't have too much experience with cars, but I found this forum. So like I said, let me get to the point.
I have a 1999 4Runner SR5 V6 (pretty standard) which was in almost great condition in the beginning of November... Until someone rear-ended me at a stop light.
Now my trunk door is useless and obviously my rear window was shattered.
I've had to take my bumper off as well as the tow hitch (lifesaver) and my spare tire.
My poor truck is such a mess right now.
And basically I was wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of a reliable place to get replacement parts for my baby.
Thanks!

 

[preacher35]

Hey guys, I'm new here.
But basically let me just get to the point.
I am a female and honestly I don't have too much experience with cars, but I found this forum. So like I said, let me get to the point.
I have a 1999 4Runner SR5 V6 (pretty standard) which was in almost great condition in the beginning of November... Until someone rear-ended me at a stop light.
Now my trunk door is useless and obviously my rear window was shattered.
I've had to take my bumper off as well as the tow hitch (lifesaver) and my spare tire.
My poor truck is such a mess right now.
And basically I was wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of a reliable place to get replacement parts for my baby.
Thanks!

Well, [MENTION=118530]Jackiee[/MENTION], I do not mean to pry, but why is the other party's insurance not taking care of the damage to your Runner? Also, if you are having to pay out of your own pocket for the repairs, are you looking for OEM parts (new, official TOYOTA parts) or the cheapest replacements possible (nothing necessarily wrong with that) to fit your budget? Also, it would be helpful to know what city you are in. Are you going to be doing these repairs yourself?

 

[Jackiee]

No, it's fine
Ugh well unfortunately for me, the other person did not have a license or insurance.
Honestly, I'm not looking for OEM parts, I'm a college student on a budget and life is tough and I'm already stretching my budget.
My husband is planning on doing the repairs himself, along with his brother.
I'm located in Pomona, CA.

 

[Mytoy4]

Welcome! You've come to a good place for help. Good luck with your truck!

 

[preacher35]

No, it's fine
Ugh well unfortunately for me, the other person did not have a license or insurance.
Honestly, I'm not looking for OEM parts, I'm a college student on a budget and life is tough and I'm already stretching my budget.
My husband is planning on doing the repairs himself, along with his brother.
I'm located in Pomona, CA.

[MENTION=118530]Jackiee[/MENTION], could you describe the damage as best as possible or maybe post a pic? I'm just trying to figure out what sort of parts that you are going to require. I know that "CALIFORNIA AUTO SUPPLY" (909-623-3151) on W. Commercial St. is supposed to be a pretty damned good store. Also, considering the age of your Runner, used parts might be a good option... say for instance, of you tailgate is badly damaged; a good condition used one will be much more affordable than a new, unpainted one.

 

[Jackiee]

[MENTION=118530]Jackiee[/MENTION], could you describe the damage as best as possible or maybe post a pic? I'm just trying to figure out what sort of parts that you are going to require. I know that "CALIFORNIA AUTO SUPPLY" (909-623-3151) on W. Commercial St. is supposed to be a pretty damned good store. Also, considering the age of your Runner, used parts might be a good option... say for instance, of you tailgate is badly damaged; a good condition used one will be much more affordable than a new, unpainted one.

Well, here's the scenario for starters. I'm waiting at a red light and this guy (possibly drunk) rear ends me at about 40-50 mph. My tailgate is pretty much useless. I have to take the battery out after using it to prevent it from dyin because the door isn't marking that it's closed. It doesn't latch. Right now my solution is holding down the door with ropes tied to the rear seats. Had to work with what I had. The window also shattered. Like I said the bumper, tow hitch, and spare tire took a lot of the impact. Also, apparently the hit was so hard that it knocked my audio and ac control panel down. I also felt that the driver seat was loose and thought it was just a screw that might have come off, but the whole metal broke and now that's just more stuff to add to the list of things wrong with my truck.

I know it doesn't look that bad! But trust me my heart breaks for my baby.

 

[Jackiee]

Welcome! You've come to a good place for help. Good luck with your truck!

Thanks so much for the welcoming! And thank you for the well wishes

 

[JoeBand]

hi

nothing like a big entry to the forum... sorry for your predicament.

i second the motion to get used parts from a salvage yard. i'd check craigslist "toyota 4runner parting out" and see what you can find.

if the hit to the rear was hard enough to damage your seat attachment and dash plastics i'd be concerned that the frame could be bent.

good luck

 

[KidVermicious]

Can almost guarantee you've got a bent frame, just from looking at that tow hitch. May not be the end of the world, because you've got a solid axle in the rear and no alignment to mess up, but before you go spending money on parts somebody needs to crawl under the truck and have a good hard look.

What does the body look like under the tailgate and bumper? I'm worried you've got some damage there too and the new tailgate won't line up.

I know this is your baby, but it's going to take a fair amount of work and money to make her right, even with junkyard parts. I'm a big proponent of fixing what you've got, especially if it's paid for, but depending on what makes financial sense for you guys it might be time to let her go?

Also might be worth speaking to a lawyer or two to see what your options are. A friend of mine was hit by an unlicensed driver, and had success suing for damages. She got the guys car (wrecked, she scrapped it for $1500) and another $2000 in monetary damages (which she hasn't seen a dime of, but if the guy ever owns property in his own name she can come after it, I understand).

 

[preacher35]

Can almost guarantee you've got a bent frame, just from looking at that tow hitch. May not be the end of the world, because you've got a solid axle in the rear and no alignment to mess up, but before you go spending money on parts somebody needs to crawl under the truck and have a good hard look.

What does the body look like under the tailgate and bumper? I'm worried you've got some damage there too and the new tailgate won't line up.

I know this is your baby, but it's going to take a fair amount of work and money to make her right, even with junkyard parts. I'm a big proponent of fixing what you've got, especially if it's paid for, but depending on what makes financial sense for you guys it might be time to let her go?

Also might be worth speaking to a lawyer or two to see what your options are. A friend of mine was hit by an unlicensed driver, and had success suing for damages. She got the guys car (wrecked, she scrapped it for $1500) and another $2000 in monetary damages (which she hasn't seen a dime of, but if the guy ever owns property in his own name she can come after it, I understand).

[MENTION=118530]Jackiee[/MENTION], KidVermicious is right. After looking at your photo, I agree that you really need to get the frame checked out. That bent tow hitch means that your frame took one hell of a blow and it very likely will need to be straightened out, which I am sorry to say, your husband will probably NOT be able to do without the right equipment (the sort that is only available at a body shop). That being said, while your bumper may be salvageable, that tailgate is NOT. I would definitely check out auto salvage/used auto part shops to replace it. Yes, a used tailgate will probably have to be painted to match, but so would a new replacement; not to mention that the used part will already have all of the hardware and ancillary parts and mechanisms already installed. Sorry that happened to you: been there before, myself.