DAMN! I need front end damage info!

[LeftCoast]

Hi all,

BACKSTORY

So I was hauling my new 94 4x4 Runner home on a two-wheel car dolly with my 92 base Toyota pick up (5speed, 4 cylinder,reg cab,2WD) from Jacksonville to Tampa when I had the driver's side rear wheel blowout at @ 55 mph. I jackknifed and the pick up basically went head-on into the guardrail and then was spun another 90 degrees by the dolly and Runner acting like a pendulum plowing into the rail. I got a little banged up, especially my pride, but of course it could have been worse, especially if the guardrail was absent. The Runner was tipping before hitting it, and there was a 30 foot embankment on the other side of the rail. Just my luck to have my only accident in 28 years of driving involve one driver, two vehicles, and both of them owned by me! As I was being spun I remember thinking, "Damn, I'm wrecking two pristine trucks..."

QUESTION

I didn't get pictures, but most of the head-on impact was high up over the grill (most of the truck was low enough to go under the guardrail) and the driver side fender/headlight/marker got crunched. Wheels have full range of motion, but the driver fender was pushed back enough to just interfere with driver door opening (door opens halfway before hitting fender). The front is pushed in at the top and just barely involved radiator enough to leak two or three ounces of fluid. I idled the vehicle for a few minutes while waiting for the wreckers to come, and it ran fine for a while but then started to get hot (radiator fan restricted?). I know i need a DS fender, front bumper, hood, DS front marker/turn signal, and the clip that includes the headlights/grill assembly. I'm assuming everything these things attach to will be bent up and need replacement as well, and that's the question. What is under there, and is the replacement of the parts straightforward?

Assuming the frame isn't involved, can I eventually remove enough of the bent/twisted "sub-members" to where I can bolt on replacement pieces and get reasonably straight results, or will pieces still need to be straightened at a body shop?

If you've gotten this far, thanks for putting in the time on my "novella".

[Texx]

They're pretty much built of tinfoil when it comes to accident damage. Your biggest concern will be the core support, which will undoubtedly be damaged where the front fender attaches. Possibly radiator as well. On the good side, all this stuff is available in aftermarket excep;t the core support, and is really cheap, like 35 bucks for a fender if you don't mind the Taiwan type. Lights, markers, bumpers, grill, all available aftermarket as well. check ebay or google crash parts...lots of options.

[Hilux]

Our answers will be more accurate with pic's.

Get the frame spec'd at a shop that does frame repairs.


But moreover, glad your OK. Those frames, and believe me or not, the sheet metal are a godsend in the event you crash......Toyota, back then, knew what they were doing.


Glad your OK.

[LeftCoast]

Yeah, the core support on the driver side took the worst of it. Radiator is pushed back, but didn't rupture.

I'm told a new front clip is the way to go, and that it bolts into the firewall and the posts of the radiator supports.

Sounds too easy, is it? And I know this is almost totally worthless without pics, but I'm working on it.

[Hilux]

I've been thinking, and anybody more knowledgeable can jump in at anytime. The front clip welds in the mini's and you are gonna have to be a math genius or experienced bodyman IMO to get it right.

I am considering cutting the sheet metal about 1-2" from where the aprons meet the fire wall and bolting the new aprons on NOW THIS IS ALL THEORY so I wont know till I attempt it weather or not it will work and MOST IMPORTANT retain structural integrity incase it happens again.

Either that, or fabbing my own aprons (from thicker material) and doing a custom apron and fender like you see the Jeapers do.

I'll get pics tomorrow and you'll see I'm in the same boat you are. I've got an fj80 and seeing how the entire front clip BOLTS ON makes me sick. I could, and would learn how to paint and do my own front repairs but the welding and geometry required for the weld in mini's, puts it over the top to learn...for now.

[toyminator]

Yes, the core support is spot welded to the inner fender wells. You will need to drill them out. there are about 30 of them. It really isn't that hard if you have a spot weld cutter for your drill. I swapped over a 4runner core support onto my pickup. It only took about an hour to drill out all of them. I just cut the doner core support from the inner fender wells and drilled out their spot welds from the other side on the workbench. Once your core support is off it is easier to straighten out the fender wells. Just take the diagonal measurements from the doner truck before you cut it to find out your goal distances. I had never done bodywork before and I think mine turned out ok.

[LeftCoast]

Welds in...DAMN! Thanks for the info.

Toyminator, I'd be thrilled with that result...nice job.

So Runners core supports are interchangeable with pick ups? Can it be either 2wd or 4x4, or 2wd for 2wd, and 4x4 with 4x4? Can you elaborate on the process, from donor removal to installation? Links? That would be great, Toyminator, and thanks guys for the responses.

[Hilux]

Core supports: Radiator support and aprons: Yes

The fenders, 2MK are the only difference.

I don't remember if the 2wd's had the little oil filter access door though.

[LeftCoast]

Rather than changing out the entire clip, is it feasible to only change out the core supports (instead of welding at the firewall, just weld it someplace just behind the supports)? I thought I read somewhere that you have two options...

[toyminator]

Unfortunatly the pics of the swap were lost when my digital camera took a swim. The 4Runner Fenders and hood are the same as the pickup as long as they are both 4wd. 2wd pickups had different fenders. They will hysically bolt up but they don't flair out as much as the 4wd. I'm not really sure which fenders the 2wd 4Runners came with. Here are the only pics I have of the truck being put together.

1989 Pickup SAS and Bed Bob - TTORA Forum

I have another 93 4runner I am parting out now and I will be salvaging the core support for a future swap and I grap some pics and post them here in a few days.

[LeftCoast]

Can an 88 reg cab,4wd clip be used in my 92 reg cab 2wd?

[EVILSPOTTER]

The body lines won't match up from fender to door.

[LeftCoast]

Thanks guys.

Well, I'm back on the road, after some custom body work (i.e. chain and a tree) pulling out the core support.

I lost a/c, however, which I'll need fixed SOON. I will update after the final fix, with pics. Thanks again for the info.