Advice wanted on wrecked Tacoma

WARRIORWELDING

WARRIORWELDING

Owner opperator Of WarriorWelding LLC.
Joined
Jan 6, 2008
Location
Chillin, Hwy 64 Mocksville NC
http://www.nc4x4.com/forum/threads/tacoma-2wd-2001-parts.161446/

Link to needed post as reference. Long story short:
Truck was excellent and at 95 k auto trans.
Sister couldn't get credit for oldest son's truck (just turned 16).
Mom financed, kid wrecked 15 days later in freak one car stupid teenager moment in front of school officer.
Insurance cost would rise to the point of hardship if turned in.
Paid 4 k for truck and I bought new tires to help out and keep it safe.
Now its smooooooshed!
They can't afford parts.
He plays sports makes good grades, big hassle both parents work hard to get to all the pre school works outs and blah blah blah. Needs his own vehicle for this and his own job!


So, sink mo money into it to drive again?
Sell off parts cut losses?
Sell whole?
Tell everybody to suck up the loss and put nephew on a moped?


RUN ON ALERT>>>
I'm the eldest, rational, supposed to fix this crap, buck stopped here for some reason, stuck with dealing with this truck to get past this; guy who really doesn't know if sinking a great deal of money into this truck is a good idea!!!!

For the record my original advice was to not get this nice of a first vehicle, but if they insisted it was a very nice truck and capable of running out very well for a good while. They as a family really needed a pick up. Two kids house and only small cars for trash, yard ect. duties.
 
Is the damage mechanical or just cosmetic? If cosmetic would finding a front clip at junkyard be an option to fix? May not be the prettiest fix but would get it back on the road.
 
Killed radiator and fan, busted fuse box. The rest is lights,sheet metal and front frame horn, all stuff I can deal with.
 
tkeaton said:
Is he going to be scholarship-worthy in any of his sports?

If not, make him get a job. He's old enough.
Click to expand...
Most likely not, but his mom got a ride to play softball and blew it. Me and her both played all through HS at our chosen sports, so saying its a given and something each of us don't push our kids to do but treat it as earned privilege. My son plays soccer, nephew football, and yes the extra work outs and running sucks. But given high A B averages in pre college and honors classes and the philosophy that school is the "Job" we feel its justified to "get" to play. Being a starter helps too. So they aren't bench sitters.
 
He got his big ass size 15 shoe hung up in some stupid lanyard crap. A punch the gas, stomped the brake, smash dance thing got going and steered it into a light pole base. Basicly panic set in. I'd died laughing to see it but it flat killed the front of the truck.
 
Is the frame and suspension attachment points straight? If so, I think you have something fixable for the most part if you can do the work yourself.

Outside of the truck, I wouldn't fix anything for anyone. It will just happen again. Scares me to drive around Wilmington seeing young kids driving brand new $40k+ cars around. This is like giving a student pilot a 747...not a good situation. Maybe he works to pay for parts and you will help him with the repairs if he does it himself? Would give him a good idea of what it takes to own something and how much labor it takes to make something work. I hope everything works out for you.
 
Thats funny i want to build a pre runner out of it........As for him helping that would be great, but we live 55 miles appart. Neither him or his stepdad are mechanically inclined at all.
 
The problem isn't if I can fix it. Its should I and then lump another 2k in aftermarket parts on whats already owed. Making the owed amount 6k plus. My gut says that would be stupid, my heart says they need the help. Either end its already 4k on the hole and unusable.
 
In my opinion, this is going to cost you in money and time and you will get neither in return.

Would it be kind to do this for family and in good spirit or being a caring person, of course.

Would your sister nephew devote the same time and money for something for you if you needed? Would they do more or have done more for you in past?

I think those questions will point you more in a direction that will help you make a decision.

I feel your pain. My heart is often bigger than my mind wanting to help anyone and everyone I can that needs a hand, but is quite opposite once someone expects it or demands it.

A worthy lesson to learn growing up (from my last 10 years) is that some mistakes aren't easily fixed and some can't be. This is why you have to be as careful as possible all the time to avoid stupid mistakes.
The accidents and unavoidable tribulations will for sure arrive on their own.

Hijack off/:
 
No hijack their, this is what i need. Outside unbiased advice. I am not perfect but my gut says its bad to put my neck out further. New tires and plain advice not to spend to much on a first time ride is already pissed away. Her credit got ruinned when her hubby was let go from a management job at the walsmart and failed to get re employed for 6 years. My nephew isn't his and has never known his biodad. Uncle Drew has always stepped in, Ive even bought christmas for them in the past.
 
His stepdad is a good man, dont read that wrong. He is employed and damn good with kids and devotes alot of time to community sports and church. I just dont know if this should be another rescue mission for my younger sister.
 
You could also think about finding all of the LKQ's and Pull-A-Part yards within driving distance. You could even wait until the correct color parts showed up if you are worried about painting. When the parts show up just take the nephew and get what you can. You may get out with only a few hundred in parts! By getting him to go with you to wrench parts you will get time with him, he will get experience wrenching parts, and everyone will learn a valuable lesson... never pay full price for parts!
 
What does lkq stand for? What is the best best search method?
 
Thanks. Looks like a network sight for pull aparts, never knew that existed.
 
More coooll. Uh oh dear. New project potential.
 
I say to sell it for what is worth now, and use that money to buy a cheap car that he can drive, like an older honda or toyota.

Or you can buy a car valued at what you could get for it, then fix the truck & sell it for more. You choose what to do with difference.

While his parents will be upside down in the new car, they are anyway. That's their choice.

Maybe also have him get a job and pay it back. Or help you fix the truck if you choose option 2 above.
 
Sell the truck as-is or part it out.
 
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