FML... I NEED ADVICE.

So about 1 year ago I bought a 2000 tacoma sr5 extended cab and I currently still have it. It only has 134,000 baby miles which made me want the beast even more. I knew it had a little hole on the frame near the rear leaf spring and shackle so I thought "no biggie" I can fix it. Bought the truck, took it to Toyota and they quoted me $22,000!!!! To repair the hole... then as I was driving it back I took a look under the pickup and I realised I literally have a micro sheet holding this entire pickup up. The frame is completely rotted out. From the doors back. Holes, pitting, flakes. It's so bad, but I still want to keep this tacoma because I simply love the look and the body is in near perfect shape. Does anyone know someone who has frame parts? I really really want to save this pickup and actually use the damn thing. Any advise would be great...
My knowledge on vehicle repairs and working on the is very minor. I'm in Wisconsin, Milwaukee

 

I called every salvage yard in Wisconsin and Illinois and they all advised me the 1st thing to go is the Frame. Ive had my name on a waiting list for the last 6 months waiting to hear about any frames. Toyota is blowing smoke up my ass and telling me that I was 2 days away from getting the 15 year extension and that the time was up. crazy thing is I always got my oil changed there and they never told me anything about it.

it was 2 days ago that it expired

 

Did that to. Nothing came of it

 

I am guessing you don`t have the skills or tools to fix this yourself??

Because you would just fix it and be done.

Sell it like it is!!

Part it out lots of work for little money

Keep hunting for a frame you might try south of I40

Even if you get a frame from the dry Southwest you need to be after it constantly they are after all just frames that lived down south

Have any friends that do this type of work that you can sell your soul to

Pictures would be a big help .

Just how bad ($$$budget) do you want to keep your Truck??

Anything can be fixed or built it depends if it is cost effective for you

Here is another case of someone completely unaware of the frame issues !!

 

There was another guy on the forums who had a frame long crack. He had it welded. It's a good read for opinions on whether or not that's a good idea. As well as some other resources for frames.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/posts/13198859/

Sorry about your woes.

 

He knew.

He said he knew of one hole, bought the truck anyway and took it to Toyota for frame replacement.

Then they said lets run your credit card and he freaked.

 

Knowing of one hole is not being aware of the problem

It should have been addressed last year not after going through a Winter in Wisconsin

 

He knew enough to take it straight to Toyota for a repair, is my point.

He doesn't sound misinformed. He sounds like he just spent a lot of money on a risk and lost, and doesn't know how to fix his situation.

 

I'm in northern Wisconsin and just picked up a double cab with the same rot. Only difference is, I knew about it and only paid 600 for it because I can fix mine myself. If I were you, I would take it to three different welding shops and get a quote on how much they would charge you to fix it. It isn't really that hard. I got quotes just for shits and giggles up here and it was anywhere from 600.00 - 1200.00.

 

All else fails, custom back half with 4 link.

 

Now that I'm thinking back over this, you need to contact toyota corporate and start a dialog. I did just in case on the double cab I bought. They get back to you in one business day and tell you if you qualify. being only a few days late they might show leniency.

 

Update, called Toyota and literally got nowhere with them. I took it to 2 different frame shops and had them quote me out some prices. 1 guy quoted 7k and another quoted 1,200 given that I supply safe-t-caps and most of the steel. Currently driving this beast all around town and they gave me a lifetime guarantee. Also I Herculined the sh*t out of the entire frame and bottom

 

*You are completely correct, I did know I just didn't know how severe it was until my hour long drive back home

 

$1200 seems reasonable.

 

Any pics of the issue/repair? Always interested in how bad the frame really was and how the shop went about fixing it.

 

Pembine,WI?

 

just north of there. Aurora, WI. bought it in wisconsin rapids.

 

Radical. Grew up spending most winters in that area snowmobiling. Still Hunt up there. Love Northern WI.