Frame swap -n- facelift for Mable

Hey @Loctite77 started my own rear frame repair today. See more pics in "What have you done...."

post 197742

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...tacoma-today-1st-gen-edition.138573/page-9888

Don't have a donor frame, but will make replacement sections. A lot worse than it looks in the pics.

 

I just looked my man. To be honest, after haven gotten to know these frames, very well, I think you are fighting a loosing battle my friend. It looks too far gone and you will
Drive yourself nuts for weeks crashing the funk.... only to prolong it.... look around for another r frame/truck. Bit a whole truck if you have to for 3k if you have to. Be patient, part it out, make
Your money back. Or just search hard and find a good frame. I searched for 10 days on Facebook marketplace and found mine for 1200 delivered to my driveway.

if you do fight the fight my friend, good on you, get after that shit, plate the hell out of it, angle iron on the bottom for reinforcement and then FLUID FILM. SOAK THE FUC OUT OF OT EVERY 120 days for the rest of your life! I also like the rust converter from Eastwood. Spray that on then fluid film. That’s greasy as snot man.... should fight that nasty shit hard. Good luck my man. Keep me posted.

 

i've got 5 second gen frames sitting at work you could rehab! lol

 

That is worth approximately one tenth gen frame if my math is correct

 

I’ve been working on the project still a little bit each day. I slid the new frame under over the weekend, lifted it up under the cab, and aligned everything.

If you recall, I had to replace and move the frame motor mount brackets. There’s not much room for an error in any direction here when it comes time to bolt your motor up to the frame... I was a little anxious for sure about this. Didn’t want to have to move them a second time.

I’m happy to report that they aligned perfectly and the new OEM motor mounts bolted up nicely. Everything is now sitting on the frame.

This evening I was able to have a little fun and hang some pretty new parts. For those taking notes, we have stock LCA with new energy suspension bushings, OEM lower ball joints. Brembo rotors, original calipers rebuilt with OEM seals pads and parts. SS brake lines. Bilstein/eibach coilovers by Toytec. Freedom off-road UCA and upper ball joints. Extended swaybar link from Napa.

 

No losing battle. Just need some Midwestern TLC. Frames never come available in this area. I can make what I need.

That's 6mm thick (about twice original). I'll make top and bottom as needed from 3mm. Gonna be stronger than original. Got both sides rough cut this evening. The replacement leafs are the big cost at about $375 for some General Springs. The rest about $250 should cover it.

 

i regret not keeping the OG frame from my 01... they even offered to let me take it home

 

That looks good my man! I applaud your hard work and grit. I did not mean to sound like a Debbie downer sir, just trying to give my honest dos Lincolns.

that is super strong looking! Way beefier than stock. Just remember to pay attention to your mounts and stuff and remember these rot from the inside out! Keep an eye on the area where the old frame meets the new, I circled it. The whole frame is only as strong as this connection and the welds. Could you run some plate along the bottom side up under the cab about 16” and spot weld every 3” or so on both sides? That would make the “joint” stronger. Keep up the good work my friend!

also, have some stock leaf springs you can have if you want to pay for shipping. They do not appear to be that worn out. Came with my donor frame.

 

New/old mirrors. The warning seems so appropriate right now. Stay safe out there my friends.

 

No problem on offering your warnings. This truck is a hobby, and as I said in another thread, likely a hand me down (sacrifice) to my nephew just reaching driving age. I have another 95 from SE Tennessee that has a really nice frame. I bought it from a local salvage yard and rebuilt (clean title though) after a front end collision. See below. It's my long term 1st gen.

Thanks for the offer on the leafs, but I already have some on the way from General Spring.

I understand the yellow circle area. I've already done some repairs from there forward and plan to bridge the two sections.

 

Work continues although I’ve slowed down a bit. This crazy world has got me a bit flustered. Finished swapping the front end to a 96. I really love the blunt nose look. Had to fab my own bumper brackets. Need to paint Bumper and skirt, going with a semigloss black Installed my sweet vintage K-mart glass halogens as well. The tuck in to the lower bumper skirt nicely and are very bright.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CzYPtNf2cG8
Saw the title and had to post one of the original punk songs that helped me fall in love with the genre, also I saw Goldfinger live once

 

my last Taco was a 95.5 - I'm fond of that front end as well!

 

Coming along nice! Sorry the world has got you down. I am trying to stay informed but yet kinda disconnected from it all. That's the plan anyway but I've been pretty fortunate and I realize many others have not. Hang in there dude and keep truckin'

 

dude!!!!!! Your not gonna believe this.... but I literally named my truck because of that song! LOVE Goldfinger.

 

No way.... Freaking awesome man
Mable is one the best punk songs ever made!
I love that fun happy make you move around stuff... Goldfinger didn't sell out like Green Day and those other bands either

 

'She saw his package, from what I know, she said that looks like a tube of cookie dough
Mine she says is like a small pencil with broken lead!'

I laughed so hard hearing that line the first time in the son!

 

Ladies a Gents. We have a roller! I brought the donor frame home April 9th, so about 3 moths exactly by the time I button up a few loose ends. Still need to have bed, flares, grille and bumpers painted, figure out a skid plate and I think she deserves some new component speakers as a reward to myself! Aside from my 6yr old helping me bleed the brakes, this was 100% diy.

 

Looking good, man.

 

thanks brother. Sat the bed on tonight. Gonna head to the body shop for paint next week.