Body work???

So, the rear right quarter panel on my Tacoma needs work after a truck vs. fedex truck incident. I got quoted $1900 (like 32 hours of work) to get all the dents out of the panel and paint, get a small dent out of that thin panel between the door and the truck bed, and paint the passenger door to "match the paint". I think the door thing is bullshit. The truck is probably only worth $4000 (1996, Standard Cab, 160k, 4x4, 4 banger, 6 of 10 condition, good runner). All I really care about is getting the quarter panel fixed so it won't rust. I asked about not doing the door paint and that only took $200 off the price. Getting the dents out of the panel is time consuming, since there's all sort of curves and creases in it to begin with, but I was thinking there must be a ton of tacomas in junk yards in the pacific NW. Shouldn't I be able to find 1996 Evergreen Pearl panel for a few hundred bucks and give that to a body shop to install?

I need to get this fix under 1K, any other ideas?

http://static.flickr.com/37/99432923_302a178a8a.jpg?v=0http://static.flickr.com/26/99432922_7d8e040ecd.jpg?v=0

Edit: hasn't been washed in over a year.

There's a Toyota junk yard in Colorado, somewhere. I ordered manual locking hubs from them (because automatic-locking is not a sport!) Good service.

There's also a web site called Tacoma Territory and I'm certain you can get some great advice from them.

Good luck, Dood.

Yes, you should be able to get it somewhat cheaper. Check the yellow pages, call around to junk yards asking for quotes on the pieces you need, in the color you need. Take to bodyshop have them do labor. I did this when some fucker backed into the door of my benz, saved some $. May have to go further afield than just pdx, but carrying the parts home in a truck is easier than fitting a door skin inside a mercedes.

Maaco....

Well, i was thinking about getting a breast enhancement, liposuction, and . . .oh, wait, this is about cars.

Get one from another tacoma. Consider replacing it your self....it really isnt that difficult with basic tools as long as the bolts arent completely fused with rust. 1900$ to repair that is a joke. It's cheaper to call local junk yards for the panel than to order one online. Swapping out a fender at a body shop should be 400-500$ unless there is structural damage to the frame.

you might just leave it the way it is if it doesn't affect the way it runs....

that seems really high. Someone hit my truck last halloween and did simialr damage. I had the panel replaced with a new one from Dodge and it only cost $2300. As for painting the door it should take off more than $200 because of the prep time, not necessarily the time to paint or the cost of the paint itself.

Think I may have found a panel, same color even, for $150.

Fuck the man.

I wouldn't fix it at all unless you're trying to sell it. Just paint the bare spots and give'r.

I have a body guy that could fix that in 1 day for about 400 bux. find another body shop.

I agree w/ Yeti. The damage is not structural, and you will never get your money back on the fix. It would be purely for your own enjoyment. But, hey, I know about Tacoma pride. I am struggling to get some rust done up on mine - Damn East Coast road salting!

If all you're worried about is Rust and don't give a shit about the looks then some steel wool and a can of Krylon Rust Block is all you need. Charcoal gray is the bomb. My whole '74 Bronco was painted that color.

Too late to help you Boss, but here's that place I mentioned earlier. A Toyota junk yard with great customer service.:

http://www.yotayard.com/home.htm

Well, went to this yard and they have that quater panel skin, which is all I need, for $275. Anybody have any clue if that is a fair price or not? It would need to be installed and painted.

Personally, I would keep looking. Methinks you could find an entire bed in the right color in the $400-500 range if you're patient. Save you a ton in labor costs, painting, and just plain douchebagging around in general.