Weigh in on these photos of totaled TRD Pro?

[Dash4runner]

I'm very interested in a 2022 4Runner with a rebuilt title (that appears to have since been fully restored).

These are images of the damage that totaled it out. The last image is the current condition.

Anyone have some general idea of things we should pay special attention to with regard to the restoration work, or special concerns you'd share about purchasing this vehicle. (Again, it's been restored and you can't see that this ever happened).

Thanks for your time!

 

[rdruss]

I guess for starters I would want to see a list of all the components that were replaced other than the cosmetics. Was the frame bent? how is the alignment?

 

[trainman605]

Back in my day being a retired body shop mgr. for a large DFW area dealership that vehicle would not have totaled. Maybe a $5000 repair, but with all the electronics, air bags, and no repairing of parts, all required to new to meet safety standards, etc. I would say the frame would have had very little damage if any, but without measuring it, who knows. Back in the day rebuilders would have jumped on this vehicle to rebuild it, plus they could probably buy it on a blue title, not a salvage title, thus adds a lot of money to the vehicle. Remember there were also no Car Fax to check out the vehicle. Today it's a very different world in the auto repair business, all designed to protect the owner and the next owner of a vehicle. Probably not a bad idea, but we pay for this in our insurance rates and can just go up from now on. Pics of the vehicle looks like the repair was done correctly, but without the proper inspection looks can be deceiving. Remember buying a vehicle with a Rebuilt (SALVAGE) Title will affect the value of the vehicle for its lifetime, probably 25-50 percent of its value. Plus, it's pretty hard to get a Salvage/Rebuilt title vehicle financed.

 

[Dash4runner]

Thanks for the replies and your insight trainman605!

From both our own and the mechanic's inspection, the work that was done to this was excellent. This particular mechanic had done a variety of regular maintenance on it already over the past year, so also had some additional records.

The mechanic pointed out that even the wiring was replaced using original clips, rather than zip-tied or loose as they said is common.

The most notable issue was some alignment hardware where the damage occurred being bent a little differently than normal which they didn't think would cause us any notable issue for us. (I added an image of this above)

Thanks again for taking the time to give some extra confidence in this situation and to understand pricing expectations for a salvaged title.

 

[fourwd1]

Frame/sub-frame damage and front-end alignment would be the key issues.
Good body work could cover a lot of more serious problems.

 

[Kandor]

If you or your mechanic can get ahold of a tram gauge I would measure out the frt end, top and bottom, to make sure it is square. If you don't have access to a tram gauge you can use a tape measure in a pinch but it will have limitations.

Closely check all panel alignments/gaps.

The r/f suspension looks like it took a good hit so I would pay close attention to any mounting points and take measurements and compare them to the left side.

 

[4runner_kid]

Like others have said, check frame. Don't take the owners word on it. Take it to a frame shop if you have to.

 

[BurghRunner]

If it received new tires, see if they are wearing evenly since the repairs. One test with a rebuilt is to see if it drives straight. Get it up to speed and see if it tracks straight. I'd still rather be in that 4Runner during the next accident than a small car.

 

[BurghRunner]

I guess my reply was late. What did you decide? How is it?