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Just bought a 2008 salvage title tundra, how about some advice? :0

Discussion in '2nd Gen Tundras (2007-2013)' started by jimmysmits54, Oct 8, 2021.

  1. Oct 8, 2021 at 1:35 PM
    #1
    jimmysmits54

    jimmysmits54 [OP] New Member

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    So I put in a low bid at an auction and ended up being the high bidder on this 200k mile 08 tundra with the 4.7 V8. Current condition: the side swipe crumpled the rear door, creased the front, and dented the box, set off the steering wheel airbag, and set off the seatbelt charges. It's also got a bit of a rattle noise in the engine. Here's a video: https://youtu.be/_eM65I2KThk

    I drove it home. It has the 60MPH shimmy which completely cleared at 80mph, but everything else seemed to work fine, no frame damage and nearly new tires.

    I'm currently considering what to do with it. First thought is to repair most of it myself and use it as a work truck, rebuild what I can and have a body guy/mechanic tackle what I can't to keep it as cheap as possible. Get a used airbag and have the seatbelts rebuilt when I get the SRS computer reset. The horn works so i assume the clockspring is intact. Pop the front door dent out so the window rolls all the way down, then get a used rear door. The rear door is the problem, because the body is crumpled around the door. If it's a cheaper method that seals the rear passenger door portal, I may just weld a replacement door on rather than make it function properly.

    Here's a gallery with photos of the truck in the current condition:

    https://photos.app.goo.gl/HuEmEEAu2nEV3peq9

    I'll be using this as a thread to document some of the repairs...if I follow my first thought. My second thought is to part it out if something awful comes up, like that rattle noise in the engine bay. Hoping that isn't the case. Last documented timing belt replacement was 120k miles ago, so that will be the first thing I do after the body repair.

    Anyone tackle a project like this before and have any tips on this one?
     
  2. Oct 8, 2021 at 2:49 PM
    #2
    art64

    art64 New Member

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  3. Oct 8, 2021 at 3:01 PM
    #3
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Before you waste money, make sure you can insure it. Alot of states will not insure a salvaged or rebuilt title any longer.
     
  4. Oct 8, 2021 at 5:56 PM
    #4
    jimmysmits54

    jimmysmits54 [OP] New Member

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    You mean fully insure it, or get more than liability insurance? I don't plan to do more than liability anyway.
     
  5. Oct 8, 2021 at 6:00 PM
    #5
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Whatever your states minimum is to be on the road. We just went through this with our oldest daughters car that got totaled by insurance because of the age but it was fixable. They told us that Fl will no longer insure it for road use.
     
  6. Oct 8, 2021 at 6:28 PM
    #6
    jimmysmits54

    jimmysmits54 [OP] New Member

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    Ok, thanks for the tip. I gave the VIN to my insurance company and they sent me insurance cards already. But sometimes there is a delay with the underwriter, I'll have to call them on Monday. I was going to start buying parts this weekend but I think I'll wait.

    It is likely different where I'm at. I'm using it for a farm & ranch vehicle and I'm putting it on the farm policy, and my state is much less populous than FL, with many fewer lawyers creating stupid laws.
     
  7. Oct 8, 2021 at 6:43 PM
    #7
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Yeah i would definitely call to be sure. It would suck to spend money and then find out. The DMV reports a title as salvaged or rebuilt to the ins companies but no idea how long that takes.
     
  8. Oct 8, 2021 at 8:50 PM
    #8
    Retroboy1989

    Retroboy1989 'Course it's 4x4!

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    My little commuter is a rebuild. It's more expensive to insure (even liability only) than a clean title and I lost some policy discounts. :notsure:
     
    jimmysmits54[OP] and Jackstraw like this.
  9. Oct 8, 2021 at 10:48 PM
    #9
    Dr_Al

    Dr_Al New Member

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    My first guess on the vibration is either a missing tire weight or a bent wheel or axle. As for repairing it yourself, it really depends on what skills you have and tools. With a mig welder you could replace the corner of the cab with one from the junkyard. Lots of people did this and gained a lot of skill.
     
    jimmysmits54[OP] likes this.
  10. Oct 9, 2021 at 2:49 PM
    #10
    Ok026

    Ok026 New Member

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    Cant speak on you wobble, but that rattling noise I have had since 140,000 miles on cold starts. Have 310,000 now. No idea what it is, but doesn't seem terminal. It's a "light noise" not a knock.
     
    jimmysmits54[OP] likes this.
  11. Oct 10, 2021 at 7:28 PM
    #11
    jimmysmits54

    jimmysmits54 [OP] New Member

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    I decided to get a carfax on the Tundra this weekend. Looks like on the dot 5k mile oil changes for the entire life of the truck with transmission services on time and quite a few transfer case services. I'm wondering if the latter is due to a fat finger...

    Yeah we'll see. Worse comes to worse I will just keep it on the farm. I'm doubting it will be that much to insure here, but i'll find out tomorrow.

    I do have a mig welder, and need to learn a bit more how to weld. I've got a local body shop guy that will probably do it more efficiently than me, I'm going to take it to him to see how much he would charge tomorrow. I'm doubting it's a bent axle because the shimmy clears up at 80 mph completely. My FJ had a similar feeling before I got new tires and an alignment. Tires are nearly new, might try rotating them tomorrow if I have time.

    But it goes away when warm?
     
  12. Oct 11, 2021 at 8:41 PM
    #12
    jimmysmits54

    jimmysmits54 [OP] New Member

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    For anyone interested, my state and insurance company has no problem with liability insurance.

    Anyone know what years are compatible with components from this truck, or where I can go to find out? Specifically looking for:

    passenger rear door
    passenger front door (maybe)
    steering wheel airbag

    (EDIT: 2007 - 2014. I was able to buy 2 used colormatched doors and an airbag for $1600 shipped.)
     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2021

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