Cruiser or Bruiser?

[5ForFighting]

Thanks.

Forgot to mention that, while driving sober, I attempted a 50 point turn in the above pictured valley and backed into a dune.

 

[5ForFighting]

 

[5ForFighting]

As you can see, the little tabs that secure the bumper cover snapped. Body shop says the whole thing has to be replaced, painted, $$$$

What I don't understand is why they didn't just pop out. As you can see from the picture below, there was hardly any other damage - just a rub really.

 

[5ForFighting]

 

[5ForFighting]

 

[Billfish]

If you are not to bothered about minor paint sratch/scuffs etc you shoul consider having the plastic repaired. Its completely doable. For the crack you can buy plastic repair kits- in white! . If you chose not to have a go at repairing the broken tabs there's always the old dob of silicon trick: (squeeze a healthy dob of clear silicon in beside the broken clips and tape the two panel surfaces together until the silicon sets. Always easy to break off again if you need to remove panel.

If you need to remove the bumper panel its a very straight forward process and takes about 5 minutes. see here: http://moranbahweather.com/toyota/repair2/html/frame_rm0000038k2001x.html

Why not wait until you have truly knackered the bumper before replacing it?.

 

[5ForFighting]

I like the way you think!

I'd eventually want to get an aftermarket bumper (waiting for something more appealing than the ARB). Looking at the ARB, however, it looks like install requires cutting into the bumper cover below where the tabs came out, meaning I'd have to take care of this either way. My initial thought, literally, when I felt/heard the collision was "I guess I'm getting a bumper".

 

[619TOY]

Honestly, even if you don't want to attempt the repair yourself, get a second opinion. My body shop repairs bumper fascias for me all the time. Even fills 3/4" holes...

Doesn't look like it needs any paint.

 

[5ForFighting]

No paint needed...just wish I could snap it back in place.

 

[619TOY]

Don't throw in the towel. This can almost certainly be returned to a cosmetically "acceptable" condition. It will probably need to be removed and reinstalled to get it back together right. As you've discovered, you can't generally just snap it back. Somebody that's familiar with body panels could probably have it off and back on in well under an hour. You just need to take a look at the cracked part to see if they need to legitimately be repaired or can be "patched" with little bits of aluminum or plastic and #4 screws. I assume you're further north than SD?

Just remember, the longer it stays out of shape, the less likely it will return...

 

[5ForFighting]

I'm in Costa Mesa. Lots of body shops around, guess I'll have to get some more opinions. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Newps]

Go by Dave's Body & Frame 1719 Monrovia St. in Costa Mesa. He should be able to fix this for you.

 

[5ForFighting]

Went to Dave's Body & Frame. Nice enough guy but pretty much said to try to pop it back in with soap and water. If that doesn't work (which it doesn't) it would be upwards of a $1000 to do what the other body shop said would have to be done.

I'm pissed at myself for A) deciding to turn around in that spot, and B) for having turned off my park assist. I should have at least asked my wife to go outside and watch that corner...it was towards the end of a long day and I wasn't thinking clearly.

Oh well...that's life.

 

[619TOY]

At the very minimum, you should pull the tail light. That should give you a much better perspective on the situation from what it looks like in the pic. The light is probably only held in with two screws/bolts and a couple locking pins. Usually, once you pull the two screws, the light pulls straight back to pop the retaining clips loose. Obviously, you kind of need to look/feel it out, don't just yank...

 

[Newps]

Don't give up, we can fix this ourselves for cheap. I think the first thing to do is remove the entire bumper cover and get an idea of how it attaches. After that we can figure out a game plan. There are a bunch of different options we can use the reattach this. When and where do you want to do this? I've got a full arsenal of tools how about you?

 

[Newps]

I am around today if you want to bust this thing out. After that my weekend gets pretty tight. Might have sometime Saturday afternoon after 2pm.

 

[5ForFighting]

I can swing by right now to meet, but I'm helping out with an egg hunt at the kid's school at 1:45. Is that OK?

 

[Newps]

Sure

 

[5ForFighting]

For anyone interested, here's what it looks like without the light housing.

 

[THEROK]

hope to c u around - i'm in newport beach area! it'd be cool to meet up - twins.