1996 Tacoma Chassis Restoration and Build

My truck is a really clean example everywhere else, but thankfully I have no concern about resale or anything, I'm just going to be abusing it in the dirt. I've got a 2" soft spot in the underside of my frame near the leaf hanger. So even if that is 12" of moderately rotten metal I think I should be covered by the caps pretty well, I don't have any noticeable side of the frame rot or really anything behind the hanger thats anything beyond surface rust. So I'm hopeful.

 

Yeah, you should be more then fine with these caps. I plan to keep this truck as a toy for camping / offroading etc.

I was shocked looking around at what peoples frames looked like that they were saving. It made me feel like this was a no brainer and that my frame was in pretty good shape less the 3 common spots. I know a lot of guys seem to brace the rear of the frames (C-channel area) that take them off road. These made that area of the frame much more rigid as well.

 

Yup I think the main reason mine has lasted is because I don't drive it daily since I take the train to work. It got the warranty frame coating about 10 years ago and when I go out in the salt I always wash it down afterwards. Seems solid so far...

I had a really nice '97 V6 Xtracab 4wd that was bought back under the rust campaign, was planning to keep that one too but decided to take the $12k Toyota offered. Such a shame they scrapped all those trucks.

Camping adventures sound fun. The '03 is my main vehicle and I've kept it nice over the years but still use it "like a truck" to haul stuff and tow my little motorcycle trailer...just never really took it offroad.

 

Had a snow day yesterday which turned out to be about 4" of Ice. I closed my business for the day and got a little further on the truck..
Painted the back half of the frame and it turned out "decent".

This weekend I should be able to start assembly on the rear of the truck.

 

Well, I took a weekend off last week to head to Lone Star Throwdown in Texas for a truck show. It had been a couple of years since I had been and I was dying to travel somewhere and hang out with friends.. This past weekend....

Assembly started this weekend. I blasted most of the old hardware and painted it. The Gas Tank crossmember is in along with the upper right shock mount welded in. (this is where this mess started from) I did get the axle stripped and painted as well (satin black). I am awaiting my toyota parts order to come in today. New Axle Seals, O-rings, Bearings, 3rd member gasket and pinion seal were among the stuff ordered for the rear of the truck. I did order lower ball joints and some misc other items for the front end of the truck while I was at it. Thankfully my dad has an automotive repair shop, so I get discounts at pretty much any place I go. Should start coming together now.

 

It's gonna look like new when you're done!

Which truck did you take to the show?

 

Thanks man, hopefully it will come together here by spring time. I am trying to make this refresh a one time deal!

We cheated this year and flew down. It was a last minute decision to go but for $147 round trip you couldn't go wrong.

 

Makes sense, and seeing that freshly painted axle housing has me wishing I took the time to do mine.

Yeah super cheap on the airfare so don't blame you. I'm hoping to check out a show this year, maybe Grounded 4 life that one isn't too far from me.

 

Slowly but surely, this thing is coming along. I got the rear back in last weekend, along with removing the old backing plates, and pressing new bearings and seals in. This weekend I will install the rear disc conversion and finish modifying my stock spare tire carrier cross member.

 

I may try to get up there this year as well. I am going to minitruck nats in April, which has really become a good show the past few years.

 

Great work here. I'm about to have a shop weld on a safe-t-cap right where my front mount leaf spring is. Luckily my bed is already off and I've been prepping to paint the frame. Is the needle scaler worth it? Never used one before

 

Thanks man. Yes, I would definitely recommend a needle scaler for the tighter areas that you cant get into as easily. It makes quick work of those areas.

 

I knows it's been a while since I have updated my thread but I am still working on the truck as time allows. . Since the last time I posted: Frame has been completely cleaned up and painted. I ended up welding safety caps under the cab of the truck to finish off tying everything in. Rear disc brake conversion is completed along with the rear lines ran. I have the front suspension all blown off the truck currently and am getting ready to go back together with it. This will include new rack, inner and outer tie rods, upper and lower control arms, new calipers, rotors, stainless front lines, and gusseted spindles - (refreshed by @zippsub9 on here) I will get some more recent pictures of the rest of the truck this weekend.

 

I truly like those wheels...

 

Doing it clean and right. Love to see people fix up crusty frames and make them like brand new again. I'm curious why I see people add these gussets to the spindles though. Do people have trouble with them bending when going crawling or something? I've never seen one bend.

 

Thanks man, it definitely has taken some time to do but its coming together. With the spindles I have seen some people talk about them bending. While I was there I just figured I would do it. Inexpensive as compared to the cost of replacing of finding good used spindles out there.

 

Can’t wait to see how it turns out!

I was watching this listing, wonder if it really sold for $3k? That would have been a good project depending on the shape it’s in

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-Toyota-Tacoma-/304336234581

 

Man, I have never seen that truck but very good price for a project these days. Looks like it was stockfloor bodydropped as well. I missed that auction as well!

 

Guess I'll have to wait till you're ready to sell one of yours

 

I find it hard to believe 2 years has gone by since I posted in this thread. Kids, work, etc pushed this thing off and delayed the finishing but I am about 85% complete at this point.


The first picture is how the truck has been for a little bit now. Repaired the spot of rust in the bed, Raptor lined inside the bed as well as the underside. Finished up all the brake lines, rear disc brake conversion, new exhaust, full size spare underneath the bed (285/75/16). Another item on the list was to fix the slow water leak which I believe to have been the wiper cowl, so I cut that open and seam sealed everything that could be.


The paint being 28 years old at this point was pretty tired from sitting out for all of those years. Surprisingly, no clear coat pealing. I had my brother sand and polish the paint to get it to look its best. This is the best side but I am pretty happy with the results. I ordered factory striping for it which was the copper nugget color. Once I finish installing it I will have my brother seal the paint. Then a date with the local PDR guy to pull some of the random dings and dents.



Now that the water leak is squared away on the passenger side, I removed all the old carpet, and am replacing it with ACC with the mas backing. Should freshen the interior up nicely.