2019 4runner - Rearended with Crossmember Damage (1 Viewer)

[rockstate45]

Hi all,

I normally lurk in the 80 forum because that's what I drive but I'm posting here because my brother's 4runner got rear-ended recently and I took a look at it tonight to assess the damage. The tailgate and bumper are goners, which I was expecting. I was not, however, expecting that the crossmember would be tweaked. It's actually touching the spare tire.

My 80's crossmember is gone because Labs bumper, so I'm familiar at least with how that's attached. I'm assuming the 5th gen 4runner is the same way - welded up on the sides.

What is the standard process for replacing this crossmember - cut out and weld in a new?
What's standard course of action for chasing this down with insurance?

I recommended my brother look for diminished value because the 4runner was purchased like 45 days ago and that he look for OEM parts (and not OE Replacement).

Vehicle: 2019 4runner.

Pics to come in the next post.

Thanks,
Jack

 

[rockstate45]

Sorry for the poor quality here but you can see the tow hitch touching the tire. Frame coating is flaking due to the accident. Must’ve been a good hit!

 

[r2m]

If you plan on doing the work yourself, you may want to take it to a couple of body shops for the sole purpose of getting their opinion (read: quote) on how they would attach the problem. Just go in for a "quote" to fix the rear cross member. In the quote it should say if they straighten it or cut and weld in a new one.
This may help give some direction for the repair.

 

[rockstate45]

If you plan on doing the work yourself, you may want to take it to a couple of body shops for the sole purpose of getting their opinion (read: quote) on how they would attach the problem. Just go in for a "quote" to fix the rear cross member. In the quote it should say if they straighten it or cut and weld in a new one.
This may help give some direction for the repair.

It’s a little out of my expertise (if it were mine, I’d put a Labs bumper on there and cut it off).

I’m eager to hear what is the “preferred” method and also the approved method by Toyota.

I recommended my brother take it to a couple body shops - first Toyota and then another, non Toyota dealer shop. Hopefully he’s gonna fight for diminished value too

 

[Jstawgn]

If there are no kink frame shop can straiten it. Replacement full frame is available from Toyota. Although it would take a while since the VIN need to be stamped from Toyota.

Unless your brother want to turn it to dedicated off roader the truck is too new to have hacked frame. Definitely try to claim diminishing value to insurance.

 

[rockstate45]

No kink but definitely a soft bend. Flaking from the e-coating underneath which is disappointing. Unfortunately nothing will be as “good” as factory fresh.

 

[Qball]

The choices I see are, full frame replacement from insurance or get as much money as you can from insurance and go for the 4x4 labs bumper.

 

[cruiserdan]

If there are no kink frame shop can straiten it. Replacement full frame is available from Toyota. Although it would take a while since the VIN need to be stamped from Toyota.

Replacement frames have never been stamped. The VIN pad is blank. They take a long time to get because of how big they are, where they come from, how much they cost and how rarely they are replaced.

 

[cruiserdan]

 

[rockstate45]

View attachment 2098629

Dan, thanks for chiming in with the part numbers. Reading into your comment further, it would seem sectioning the frame (where they can) would be appropriate. In this case, remove and replace 51209C.

Can you comment on what your guys would have recommended/done for this situation?

@Qball, that would be ideal! I think best bet for him - depending on how picky - is to fix and sell. No guarantee it won’t happen again “tomorrow” though

 

[cruiserdan]

The numbers on the illustration are not part numbers, they are part name codes that refer to the catalog text where the actual 10 digit numbers are listed by application.

If, after measuring, the frame is found to be otherwise straight, the rear cross member could be cut out and replaced or possibly straightened. The body shop would have to make the determination as to which repair would be the best way to go.

In any event the truck will be forever branded with "frame damage" no matter how slight or how the repair was done and it will certainly take a hit in value.