RIP 4Runner

MSU4Runner

MSU4Runner

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Well my 4Runner days are over. Sunday morning around 7:30am I was on my way to a job site in Beaumont, TX on I45. A drunk driver ran into me from behind and knocked me off the road. My 4Runner flipped (no idea how many times) and the a-hole kept going. Luckily witnesses reported the suspect's truck and he was arrested 15 miles down the road. Turns out the guy had no drivers license and his "insurance" card was fraudulent. Add to that the fact that he blew a 0.13 (legal is 0.08) and boy am I mad. Let this remind everyone to buckle up and remember that sometimes early morning drivers are drunk, too.

Can't complain too much though... I am alive and have no broken bones. Lots of soreness, a few cuts, scrapes, bruises, but lucky. I suffered a concussion and don't remember any of the accident. A passerby stopped to help me out of the car because it was laying on its side, but I don't remember any of this. Big thanks to the Texas state troopers that helped me and put that guy behind bars. Enjoy the pictures (or cringe). I had just reached 90k miles on it and it was a 1997 still in perfect shape. Everyone stay safe out there. I think this is a testament to the quality vehicle that the 4Runner is.<br>
<img src='http://photos-484.facebook.com/ip004/v37/21/114/26502936/n26502936_30784484_3702.jpg'>
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<img src='http://photos-486.facebook.com/ip004/v37/21/114/26502936/n26502936_30784486_4774.jpg'>
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Oh, and check out that T4R.ORG sticker on the back window. That tough decal made it!<br>
<img src='http://photos-479.facebook.com/ip004/v37/21/114/26502936/n26502936_30784479_125.jpg'>
 
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yeah, your really lucky you were wearing your seatbelt.... why dont you get another one, considering this one saved your life? any chance your parting out your vehicle? if you are i would really like those neato mounts for the tunnau? cover in the back if you have them
 
Glad you're OK. You seem to be extremely lucky.

Sorry to see a T4R like that. Get another one.

ps. I like how the Michelin's held the bead and retained air.
 
holy crap!:( so did your entire front fall off like that? the headlights, corners and grille? or did someone take those off?

glad your ok, i love seeing my 4runner everyday in great condition but ive deffinitly seen mine crumpled up like that before and it sucks!
 
To answer some questions:

I have no idea how many times it flipped, as I was knocked out.

I am actually looking at a new '05 or '06 4Runner to replace it. I don't think there is another sport utility on the road (and in my budget) that I would rather have.

The only thing I got out of the truck worth selling is my subwoofer amp, which is still in perfect condition. It is a Hifonics Brutus BX1000D (1000W, mono) in case anyone is interested in buying it. The only thing missing is the external volume controller because it was mounted under the steering column. It has been a great amp.

Email me if you are interested. I still have the instructions that came with it.
 
Forgot to answer broncosi....

I have no idea how the front end got like it is. The wrecker guy told me there were pieces everywhere. I would guess that he yanked whatever was dangling or loose off the front before he towed it.

Thank goodness for uninsured motorist coverage. My check will be going to a down payment on something!
 
So... are you interested in selling the t4r.org sticker? :-)

Seriously, glad you are alright, it could have been so much worse. Did you notice much smoke when the airbag deployed?

Now for the fun part. You get to learn about the wonders of the "uninsured motorist" coverage on your insurance policy. Ugh!

I'm glad you're alright.
 
As painful as it was to post those pictures, I am glad you did. My 15 year old son is learning to drive and I was wondering what vehicle he should learn on. My Wife saw those pictures and said "Our Son will learn to drive with the 4Runner". I have to agree she is right. If you can walk away with that kind of damage, the 4Runner is definately a safe car. I am glad you OK, except for the uninsured driver, that is.
 
thats amazing! im glad you made it out ok, and i still cant believe those photos arent of a fatal crash. good thing you drove a 4runner!
 
It's awesome that you were able to walk away from that crash with just minor injuries. We're glad you're ok and hopefully you'll be cruising around in a new 4Runner soon.
 
Wow! Glad that you're OK. Hope to see you here soon with another 4runner...and PM me when you do, i will give you a free forum sticker of your color choice.:)

Again, glad that you're OK.
 
peter78 said:
If you can walk away with that kind of damage, the 4Runner is definately a safe car.
Click to expand...

me and my dad were talking about this while we were driving my 4runner to the outerbanks last night in the rain and fog. We both agree that its the accidents that dont look fatal that prove to be.

there were deffinitly some moments last night when we were driving that i surely thought we were going to hydroplane off the road but sure enough the 4runner held its ground.
 
Thanks again to everyone for the well-wishes. Thai, I will definitely take you up on that forum sticker offer, thanks! I am actually already looking at a 2006 4Runner.

peter78, glad the pictures helped prove the durability of the 3rd gen. 4runners. You might also be interested in knowing that my insurance company cut me a really nice check for the value of the truck... a good bit more than I expected. These things still hold value even after 10 years and the styling isn't outdated.

The uninsured motorist claim was actually pretty painless to file. A few calls between insurance reps, state troopers, and the towing shop and it was settled. I picked up my check yesterday... only 4 days after the accident. I also have a rental car paid for by insurance, which unfortunately is a '06 Grand Cherokee :(
 
Atomic 4Runner:

I don't remember anything of the crash, so I guess I can't help with your airbag question. I do know that my face was kind of dirty after it all happened. This could have been dirt from the flipping but maybe more likely dust from the airbag detonation.

As for the sticker, it's all you man. Just be careful peeling it off of broken glass in a junkyard ;)

Also, a couple of tips to any safety junkies out there (I think I will be one of those people from now on):

1. Luckily I had "Mom - Cell" stored in my phone. The trooper said a standard format they look for and use is "ICE - name" (In Case of Emergency). This way they know who to call if they get your phone and you are unconscious.

2. Keep loose items to a minimum inside the car and put valuables in secure places. This only really matters in the extreme case you flip like I did, which is always a possibility in SUV's. Crap will fly to places unheard of. I thankfully keep a fairly clutter-free car. I had a duffel bag and a laptop bag in the back seat (laptop survived, btw!). Glove box items stayed put, but I think the console popped open. Visor CD holder stayed on, but got a lot of glass in it and damaged a few cd's. The work cell phone on the passenger seat is MIA.
 
Well you all will be pleased to know that I am purchasing a new 2006 SR5 4x4 4Runner in titanium metallic.

My parents are in the Memphis area and happened to find a dealership with a helluva deal on some of their remaining '06's. Looks like I will still be around this forum, just not in the 3rd gen area as much :( .

...time to start planning add-on's for the 4th gen....
 
Man that looks rough...Thank god u are ok. I just showed my mom the pictures and all she could say was "well im glad we didnt get that M3". It makes me a lot more comfortable knowing how safe my car is. Hopefully we wont test that as I leave on a road trip to my buddy's cottage 2 hrs north of toronto tomorrow morning. Congrats on finding a new 4R btw.
 
GOD DAMN! it bented the whole ceiling down! glad you survived it man. good thing someone caught that drunk driver. stupid idiots.
 
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