Tacoma in great shape, hole in frame :( Fixable? Sellable? Worthless?

I have a 1997 Tacoma with only 173k. The truck itself is in fantastic shape and the engine is a dream. It passed inspection in August, but I have since learned mechanics never really check underneath. I have just discovered a hole in the frame on the drivers side right in front of the back rear wheel, not a good spot. My mechanic told me it could snap in two and I should not drive it! The rest of the frame is solid with only superficial rust. I went to two welders, and they both said they could fix it but with no guarantee. Help! Is it worth it to fix? Is it sell-able, (with full disclosure). Is it junk? Everyone says something different I need advice!

 

If it was mine i would have it fixed. Welder/fab shop should be able to cut out the rusted area and weld in new metal.

 

If you weren't planning on selling and the truck runs well, doesn't require a ton of work to keep it going then get it fixed by a competent welder. Great little trucks are irreplaceable.

 

Thank you for your replies! I am also wondering, if the frame is going in one spot does that mean it is about to go elsewhere too? I know for Toyota frames this is a common issue. I have been quoted $1000 to repair it. Which is worth it if it is just the one time. Everyone I brought the truck to, including Toyota Dealer, say they cannot be sure that it won't start having frame issues everywhere. It is 3 years beyond the recall, ( I live in the north east), so that is not an option. It looks sturdy elsewhere, with only superficial rust, but unless I took a hammer to it there is no way to really tell... Also I am a landscaper, use my truck to haul heavy soil and plants. If I fix the frame will it be able to take the weight still?

 

I'm in Boston driving an 03. So much salt on the ground!

A welding shop can cut out the rot and fit healthy replacement metal. As long as the welder is competent he should have proper penetration and the frame should be solid. There are always reinforcement plates if you're really worried

Regarding rot elsewhere, if you have rot in one spot you likely do have some rust elsewhere. No guarantees but it's safe to assume. You should clean the surface rust with wire brush or knotted wire wheel on a grinder and explore the carnage. Thin metal will sound different or pierce through when you use the pin end of a slag hammer. If nothing shows and you're still paranoid Home Depot can rent you an orthoscopic camera that you can use to scope the boxed sections of the frame. If you see scale investigate. If you see surface rust then hope for the best and douse the everloving shot out of your truck with fluid film. I take a bath in the stuff yearly when I butter my
Truck with the gallon bucket and a brush and then finish off with way too many spray cans and applicator wand. Because I'm paranoid. Very paranoid.

 

Ha! Yes one has to be paranoid when it comes to these darn frames....I realize now I should have been coating it every year, might not have this problem now.....ugh.

 

When I moved to Boston 2 years ago I bought a 14 double cab because I was so paranoid about frames. Then I saw that newer tacos were experiencing the same issues. So I spent 4-5 months locating a first gen taco with specific features and a brand new frame. Drove from Maine back to NYC. Found one, sold the 14 and a week after I got it I took my first bath in fluid film. I'll let you know if it's just a placebo but I really hope not. Regardless, good luck to you. Sometimes the extra labor and lack of features seem like too much work, and then you look at how awesome the first gens still are and that you can always add features. I have backup cam, seat heaters and built in radar. Love his thing! Keep her going if that's what you want.

 

Take it to Toyota Dealer there was a recall on this issue they replace my 2002 Prerunner frame and with 134000 miles at no charge and gave me a free rental car for the 7 days it took to replace it.

 

If they refuse to do anything tell them you intend to contact the State Attorney's office and the NTBS.

 

My truck is a 1997. From everything I have researched the frame recall is only good up to 15 years, so I am 4 years too late. I went to a dealer here, they said they could not do anything, that my truck was past the recall date for my year. Is that not correct?

 

It's a 97. I don't know if they do buyback anymore on anything pre 2001

 

15 years from date of it rolling off the lot. The pre-2000s mostly got bought back by Toyota so I don't think frame or buyback are options. It'd be great if I was wrong but I don't think I am.

 

yeah, I am pretty sure its too late for that. I am thinking that a mechanic/welder should own my truck. Then they can repair and maintain the frame if anything comes up. I am neither unfortunately.

 

Get it fixed and then get it inspected,cleaned,and coated with something like Rust bullet.

 

If worst comes to worst, you could part it out and make your money back. There's plenty of folks around here that wouldn't mind saving the good parts from a crusher.

 

you may want to read this post or at least everything said by the OP

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1995-rebuild.404579/

 

It's probably just above the leaf spring hanger? Yeah, it's a pretty heavily loaded area.

Just go to a welder and get a doubler plate welded over the hole. The factory welds are done mostly by robots and are actually pretty crappy (but qualified with extensive durability testing). The frame rusts from the inside (one of the drawbacks of a boxed frame), so you won't see anything until a hole develops. When another hole forms, go to the welder and repeat the process.

 

OP where do you live ??Any where close to Allentown Pa ??

Maybe time for a New Mechanic (Moot Point) who if working on 4x4 should be able to fix minor problems like this.

Since your going to pay someone for this work you might want to think long and hard about selling this now as is

The thing about no guarantee is most customers would think a repair covers the rest of the frame not just the area just fixed.

This is something that needs a constant checking as other spots may come out .

As the rust comes from the inside out it is hard to see till it needs attention.

If you can`t work on your own truck they get expensive fast

 

Sell it.

 

Fix.