Fixing rust holes/Frame repair. Any help appreciated.

Hello fellow 1st gen drivers.

Upon inspection and cleaning off the old rust guard from my frame I discovered a few issues on the passenger side of the frame; Just in front of the leaf spring shackle mount. I've searched the Forum for some tips and although helpful I feel like every hole is unique and so on... I plan on cleaning up the rest of the frame (which after investigating is pretty good/Just surface rust and the peeling off rust coating). Before I give the frame a rehab i'll have to get this fixed... I don't weld so obviously ill have to bring it to a shop. I don't want to get hosed so i'm looking for advice. Is it bad enough to cut it out and get a section welded in? I'll be calling a few places next week.

I found this searching through the forums:

https://www.autorust.com/product/complete-rear-frame-section-w-leaf-spring-shackle-mount-tac-180u-r/

Here are some photos of the problematic section:



The rust proofing chipping away on the right side of the photo, not a crack. This is after some heavy wire brushing and some hammering. A little late in the day for power tools.


Wire brushing no hammering on this section.



No cracks or rusted through on the curb side of the frame. New exhaust still looking fresh after the long cold winter in British Columbia

Thanks in advance for any feedback or links to other forum posts.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rust-prevention-treatment-consolidation-thread.355928/

 

is the 'old rust guard' some kind of spray or coating product you put on?

 

Not I. The previous owner. Yes, some sort of spray coating. I believe it helped preserve the frame in most places but where it chipped away, questionable. Gonna strip it away and get to work. I had a momentary panic attack because the truck has been running really well after I did some front end work, body work... blah blah blah... and then this. I put it off for too long and now I gotta deal with it.

 

i am wondering if that stuff was sprayed over the top (under) of the rear frame small drain hole, maybe why those are so big now?
and trapped water, etc. inside to pool up

 

Very possible. I pulled out a lot of very dry dirt from the holes. That could of been trapped in there too. Who knows.

 

Enclosed areas typically rust from inside out.

A borescope inspection (you can use a camera attached to your phone), beating with a ball peen and probing with a large screwdriver are in order before work begins.

It would be pretty odd if the other side didn't have the same problem when you investigate further.

Best of luck!

 

You are the first the canuckistanian I've heard of that doesn't weld. I was starting to think it was a skill Canucks are born with since it seems so common
Sounds like you have a good plan in place

 

100% the order of operations.

So far I haven't seen/heard anything horrible. Thanks Billy.

 

Haha! Perhaps it's a hidden talent I have yet to discover. Reading through the posts it seems like most of the 1st gen owners on the forum can weld.

 

I'm sure the talent is in your bloodline if you were born of Canuck lineage
Actually it's prolly born out of necessity up there. I've always admired how resourceful the Canuck youtube videos are and stuff.
You always want a Canadian in your wheeling group. They ALWAYS figure out some way to get safely home in the event of bad events

 

It really sucks you can`t weld might be a skill to pick up ASAP.

Find friends that can weld that breathe Toyota 4x4`s

Could be the pictures make it look worse then it is

Not sure in your part of the world but many shops need to remove the fuel tank leading to a whole other bunch of broken parts to do any hot work .Then the bed more broken hardware .

If you patch one side may as well do both .

Talk to who you get quotes from see if they allow you to source outside parts some can get quite Cranky !!

 

I am a first generation Canadian born from immigrant Polish parents. So far the combo has stirred me well. Being stubborn, cheap and wanting to tinker on everything. Haha!

Resourceful is a good description. Nice to hear the positive comments about Canadians. I'm looking forward to the border opening up again once it's all clear to do so. Lots of good times spent south.

 

Agreed! I just don't have the space for a welder at the moment. I relocated to Vancouver, B.C from a small town, I may just get it done back there or find some new friends, Haha. I messaged a guy who fabs bumpers and other 4X4 parts. British Columbia is a big Toyota spot. I'm sure someone will point me in the right direction. Realistically, I just want the truck to last another year or two. It can become a spare parts truck, hard to find parts for 1st gens around here.

 

Awesome to hear man. Yep I know this one Pole, he owns a paint company and he's prolly the most dependable company in town. (I km understand it's not because he's Polish, just sharing so you know you're well repped down here too)
If you make it down to Southern Utah and stuff you make sure to let the group here know, I'm sure a few locals would love an excuse to go wheeling and meet up

 

All that old rust has to be cut away, and replaced with new metal. Huge job. If it's not affected the structural integrity, I'd coat it, and move on with life knowing in the future to get a truck with no rust..lol.
Zim

 

Fair, I've had the truck for 3 years and it wasn't showing any signs of rot when I got it, just surface rust. I went through some pretty big life changes and neglected/couldn't afford many repairs... totally my fault. I'm doing well again and did a bunch of repairs on it... the frame... well it wasn't high enough on the list I guess. Learning from my mistakes. First Tacoma for me as well. It is what it is. I'll see how long I can keep her going.

 

Haha awesome! Hard workers indeed. S Utah would be a great stop on a road trip. I will keep that in mind For some reason the American flag is bigger...

 

Trust me, I've made some really bad decisions especially with cars and trucks. I was in a blackout for a decade..lmao. Most folks don't bring a ice pick to the car lot. I don't and I retired from the industry. I've done some extensive rust repair, mostly on other folks cars. It sucks....a lot. Now days, I'd be less motivated to do it, write it off and just have fun with it. I'm too old for the excitement...lmao
Zim

 

I may scare away the sellers if I start doing this!!

It wouldn't be the first vehicle i've written off. Some of them I shouldn't have walked away from. I'm less of a risk taker these days, to a certain extent.

Thanks @Tacman19