Aftermarket frames?

I'm curious if anyone know of a company that produces aftermarket Tacoma frames with improved designs? Even the ones that Toyota replaced are the same design and I've seen some that have already started rusting away again.

It's ridiculous that they're such good trucks but they botched them with a bad design for the most important piece.

 

I've never heard of an aftermarket frame. I've seen a few custom, homemade ones, but never mass-produced.

 

You have to be careful with homemade or even many aftermarket frames as they may not be DOT compliant, and since it won't have your vin, depending on your state, may not technically be properly titled and may not be able to be registered.

 

none of the replacement frames from toyota have vins. The cab is the part that is the main vin tag.

As for aftermarket frames ive never seen someone make them. If i ever get enough property and build a nice size shop im going to look into possibly fabricating copys of the originals.. but this is years down the road. lol


You can always get a frame from the west or down south and send it out to be galvanized. The land rover people have had great success with galvanized frames

 

Interesting. In many states a vehicle must legally have a vin on the chassis, even though it is rarely checked (went through the process in WA before finding a donor frame). And there are plenty of companies that make aftermarket frames for older land cruisers, jeeps, etc. There is one in Montana, and Aqualu makes them for the FJ40. Probably not a big demand for Tacomas though, but there are companies that will custom build them, but they are expensive.

The biggest issue in my mind is DOT certification. Lots of liability potential in the event of an accident, or upon sale if not disclosed.

I think budbuilt might be set up to build frames. Seems like others have discussed it on one of the other Yota forums.

 

bud built was going to offer replacement frames for the old toyota 4x4s but i believe hes stopped that little project.

 

If someone started making them, our toyotas could live on indefinitely.

 

There is a company that makes individual sections of the frame like the usual suspects areas like over springs.

 

I know the owner of this company, and they mainly specialize in Jeep frames, but he once told me he'd make anything for the right price. He does good work and I've seen first hand the abuse his bumpers have taken.

https://www.throttledownkustoms.com/

 

Thing is No one but a few die hard Tacoma Lovers would spend the money on a One build Custom Frame

Building one for yourself is another thing .

Washington must have strange Laws Right there with California

 

Buy a Toyota Frame and have it Hot Dip Galvanized? I helped a friend do his 67 Land Rover and he purchased a frame that been Galvanized and it still looks good 5 years latter..

 

Just thinking out loud... but cut the Vin Number plate off old one and weld it on to new one? even if it was just stamped in the frame you could still cut it out as a Plate and weld it on...

 

99.99999% of mods aren't DOT certified, I would not get hung up on that. I have seen builds in other forums where people have built frames, probibly would not do it on a DD.

 

It doesn't fix the design problem, but my replacement frame came from Metalsa Structural Prod, Inc in Owensboro Kentucky. They might be willing to sell one to an individual.

 

I'm sure ranger or mazda trucks frames could fit with some fabbing. Maybe even S10s and such too

 

I live in the NE every thing up here rots Toyota is not alone Chevys Fords Dodges they all rot Toyota is the only one that has addressed it. The frame on my 2011 is still black every year I pressure wash it and spray it down with fluid film. Take care of your frame and it will take care of you.

 

Budbuilt came to mind.Pretty sure they offered replacement frames for 2nd gen pickups iirc back in the day..it’s a shame such a great litttle truck was built on a shitty foundation (frame)...Seems like a legit product that is needed.I picked up a few nice 80s Toyota’s for pocket change because the frames were toast and it wasn’t practical to fix.

 

Unfortunately I have to agree. They all end up rusting and rotting real bad, no matter the manufacturer because of the f@¢k1ng crap they put on roads during winter... rustproofing is the answer, but if rust has already settled in, then it is a constant battle to keep it at bay

 

this week alone i had to condemn two late 2000s chevy colorados to the scrap yard from frame rot. Toyotas not the only one with issues. they're the only one that addressed the issues.

that being said my fathers 02s frame is in great shape just because its been kept clean..

 

SafeTee Cap from RI