GonzoGirl5
1️⃣ Getting Started...
Ok, so I just got my 2023 Tacoma TRD Off Road 4x4 about four months ago. It is my dream truck! I love it like crazy. But, almost a month ago now I really messed it up doing something simple. It wasn't high speed, it wasnt, violent, I didnt get hurt. I was pulling into the Home Depot parking lot, I look up and there was a stray kitty running directly in front of my truck. I love kitties so I swerved (knowing I shouldn't). I was going only about 25 miles an hour at best. When I swerved I was so close to the curb that it hit sideways. It tore my tire open and I thought that was going to be as easy as changing out the flat tire. I replaced the flat tire with my spare and the tire was rubbing on the the upper control arm and everything up there. To the point that it was not drivable. After looking at it for hours to try to see what the hell happened i noticed a little bit of peeled up paint on the lower control arm. I had my baby towed all the way up to my house. (at 6400' elevation off grid in the mountains up dirt roads for days.). I got the lower control arm off but in doing so I noticed the actual issue. If you are looking at the lower control arm the left side where it bolts in on the back, the part that is welded into the frame.....was bent to no repair. I have no idea how on earth I could have done that much damage going so slow in a parking lot. BUT, my truck still sits because I do not know what to do. I tried bending it back into shape. No go. It is too far out. It is totally f'ed up. I am wondering if it is possible to cut it off the frame, try to make it somewhat right again and weld it back on if it will work. If not, I have not been able to find this part for sale anywhere. I am at a loss, I need my truck desperately where I live and have gotten to the point that I just feel like I killed my truck trying not to kill a kitty. I have put this truck to the test since I got it and nothing has even remotely challenged it. I really need some solid advice here as to what I should do. I don't think I can even find a mechanic willing to mess with it. PLEASE HELP ME! I am desperate and just love my truck so darn much.
