Frame rust repair - worth it or walk away?

Hi all, finally decided to make an account after years of reading and learning. I am looking for advice and suggestions about the frame on my 2004. The frame rust is worse than I initially thought and I'm curious if its worth repairing if I don't have access to a welder or the experience. The truck only has 113k and is in decent shape otherwise.

I've done a full hammer test. The most concerning area is from the front hanger for the leaf springs to the rear shock mount on the passenger side (common spot). The gas tank crossmember at this spot is also broken. See the photos below.


I'm thinking of seeing if any local shops would install Safe T Caps for those 2 sections and the gas tank crossmember. I imagine it will be well over 1-2k for labor alone.

Do you guys think it would be worth the money for that kind of repair or is my frame shot?

 

I'm shocked a frame would do that in NM. Sorry man.

 

Yep you have some holes in the rear. Structural integrity is rusting away. I’m afraid a welder guy will say you don’t have any material there to weld too. Otherwise it looks in good shape.

 

Looks clean other than the rust holes. If it drives fine and you feel it’s got life in it yet.... grab some estimates and see what happens

 

I see frames pop up from time to time in az for 500. I know, a lot of work. If you want to give up, I would be interested.

 

Why did Toyota stop paying for frame replacements on 1st Gens?

 

Most of them ran out depending on location of registered vehicle .....

 

I think the court system/order had something to do with that.

 

And this is why 1st Gens are now being listed at heart attack inducing prices...

 

What's the value of a truck with a rotted frame?

 

Whatever you can receive while parting it out I suppose.

 

If I had a few friends to help me, I would be tempted to do a frame swap in your scenario. The miles are so low, and the body looks so nice. I don't think that existing frame is salvageable personally.

 

Alright, so if it's cheap enough I'll buy it. Otherwise, I'll buy the engine, as I've got a Taco lacking in compression.

Another option, is that I have a 3d scanner and I'm going to build a flat bed on my truck and as such will have somewhat complete scans of the rear frame of the frame. It certainly wouldn't be cheap, but I do have the capability to make a new rear frame section out of plate steel.

 

Oh boy, that frame looks like Swiss cheese. Rip

 

The truck spent a lot of its life in the northeast and was maintained at the dealer for years. Unfortunately no frame swap.

It's pretty clean inside and out other than that section of the frame. I'm going to get some estimates this week and figure out if it's repairable/worth it.

If I had the space and friends who wouldn't just stand around, I'd be jumping into that for sure. There's clean frames down here every once in a while.

Thanks for the input all. I'll post an update once I figure out a plan.

 

It matters not what we think Most would say your crazy it comes down to what you think it is worth .

Depending on labor rates in your area you could be low on labor and if anyone really wants to do the job depends on how much work they have.Talk to them first about supply your material some may just as soon make it themselves.

Mine is far worse just need to get around to fixing it.

 

If it's just the rear it will be a lot cheaper to lift the bed and cut off the bad part and splice in half of another frame. Make sure whoever makes the joint does it right.

 

If your going that far may as well just build a complete new section of frame and splice in .

Why splice another section of used frame that will need constant attention ?

 

Because someone can do that with nothing more than a grinder and a welder. I offered it as an easier alternative to a full frame swap.

Also, decent paint will go a long way towards preventing rust. I would personally build a new rear frame section and powder coat it, but if I couldn't do that I would get whatever chunk of frame I find sandblasted and powdercoated to solve the rust problem.

 

These frames rust from the inside out.
How do you propose to powder coat inside a box frame?