What to do with this wreck?

[N4cer]

The wife wrecked my daily driver back in May. It's still got a great motor, so I hate to ditch it. But I can't seem to find a front clip for it. It's a 1997 Toyota Avalon. Anybody know where to find a front clip, or have any generally cool ideas of what to do with it? I need to find a few parts for it to even drive in the yard, like a lower A-arm on the front driver's side, and replace that strut, which broke. Just looking for ideas of what to do... It's stupid for me to leave it sitting in a barn.

[fj40supraman]

I'm not sure where your at in Ohio, but when I did nearly the same thing to my Avalon, the closest car that I could get parts off of was in Columbus. I ended up getting aftermarket and welding in a new radiator support. Big job and it didn't really turn out that great. The whole front end is welded together(unibody) and even if you piece it together odds are it still won't be square. Suspension would probably be easier as not everything is probably bent up and you can take out a piece and bolt a new one in. Best of luck.

[N4cer]

Where in Ohio did you find parts? I've heard of some place called Tripletts (sp), but I can't find their number.

I've actually recently moved across the river to Greenup, Kentucky. But basically consider me from Portsmouth, Ohio. It's just a few minutes from me.

[silverxls]

to put a new front clip on that car seems like such an undertaking..... i know it's hard to part with a car that so much of it is still usable...but my advice is to part it out and haul what ever is left to the wrecking yard, or get a wrecking yard to make you an offer on what you have and take it all. in parts, a good engine could easily go for 1200, wheels and tires would go quick for 50 to 75 each. transmission, stereo, guages and controls, window motors and switches, a/c compressor, alternator, etc..... but the prob with parting is it could take so long....save the thousands it will take for a front clip....part it out or sell it all to salvage... and go get another one. or find the cheapest similar one....take all the better parts off yours and put them in it. one thing is for sure....it's doing you no good sitting in the barn.

[N4cer]

True. I've considered parting it out, but as you said, the time is what kills me on that. I've even had a couple of mechanic friends suggest a rail buggy powered by the Avalon engine and transmission. I have to admit, that's tempting. But just as the rest, I'm just sick of sticking money into things since I already have a 2000 Camaro SS that I've really built up a bit. It takes the spare vehicle money, so the Avy has to go. I'll call junkyards and see who will give me a decent price on it.

[parimento1]

Sell it for parts, not worth fixing IMO, it will never b the same.

[tavalon]

what color is the interior??

[Blane]

Have you looked into seeing if a GM Front Clip could somewhat be fabricated onto your car? Check into some sheet metal fabrication facilities and see if they'd be willing to fabricate the missing links off of a... Let's say Chevy lumina sheet metal. Then you could call your avalon "The mystery mobile" People wouldn't know whether it's GM or toyota. I've done a lot of work With Sheet metal fabricators and they can do some amazing things. Just my tow cents....