Frame damage help please!

REPLACE?
That is a welding job any day!
@Mobtown Offroad

 

Remove the airbags I know several people who' had frames cracked from them .

 

Since your in Az, I am a welder, I could fix it for you if the dealer won't.

 

If it were my 1998 truck with 350k on it, it's a weld job any day. If it's a nice 2012, I'd try to get a new frame first.

 

It looks like you removed the reinforced bumpstop bracket (or whatever it's called) when you installed the airbags.


The lack of reinforcement plus the added stress of the airbags is probably not a good combination.

Makes me think I should move boxing the rear frame up higher on my list of planned upgrades since I'm running airbags too.

 

Unless it's a 2014 or newer the dealer will not touch it; unless its a result of rust. IMHO
The fact of the matter is that welding is a very viable option and honestly the most cost effective and probably exceeds original strength requirements, new frames cost like $15,000+ after installation is complete.

Simple problems don't require elaborate solutions.

 

I'ts behind the axle based on the picture showing the crack and the spare tire.

 

Also if you look at the picture the Factory bump stop thing WAS removed as you can see the outline of where it was

 

Worth a shot to ask. I also would pursue the insurance angle. $500 deductible will be cheaper than a welding job if he doesn't have a welder at home.

 

Lets hope the OP had a shop install it that he can go back and ask WTF !!!! but if all else fails weld weld weld

 

That's what I was thinking

 

The removal of that brace/bracket combined with the air bag's carrying the load at a point in the frame that was not engineered to do so no doubt contributed to the failure...

 

Yeah good luck with that.

Like cliffyk was saying, removing the brace/bracket probably led to the failure. I would put it all back to stock then start the process with the dealer/insurance.

 

Mmm, I wonder if the crack originated from the rivet hole that held that bracket on.

Either way, if nothing else pans out for you it shouldn't be too crazy of a job for someone to weld up the crack, weld on some fish plates, and box the frame. Then you shouldn't ever run into that again.

I'd also be leery of driving it in the meantime...

 

Given that the stock bumpstops would be expected to apply a load at this same point in the frame without damaging it, I would assume the airbags aren't a problem by themselves. The real culprit seems to be the removal of the bracket which would have reinforced the open C-channel.

At least that's what I hope since I also have airbags and carry a heavy camper most of the time....

 

That is step 2. Step 1 is not putting pictures of it on the internet.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-frame-box-plate-kit.405001/

 

I'd say winner!

 

Lol, I wonder how easy is it to pop rivets back into the frame that look stock?

 

Me too....