PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

Dropped truck off on a Monday morning, it was ready Wed afternoon. They gave me a loaner as the service includes one at no charge. I requested a Tacoma loaner ahead of time which they provided.

Also. They didn’t have a problem with my 5100’s , but they removed my Timbrens and replaced with stock bump stops.

They also as removed my snow plow frame and returned everything to me. Understandably the truck has to leave them pretty much stock.

Replacing the Timbrens was an easy diy, and my local plow place reinstalled the plow . So no big deal. I was just happy to get a new frame.

 

So's mine and look at that bill. Remember too that they definitely don't have regular cab frames just laying around since so few were made, so they have to make to order.

Nice. I had a 2019-20 Malibu at first, took what I could get. Kept it a few weeks because my wife loved the heated seats (coming off her arthritis meds it really made a difference) and then I got the Nissan after she got home from surgery.

I'd guess at least in theory your hardware moved easier than mine did, yours was 8-9 years old versus mine almost 12. Close enough though..

I just had them throw in new shocks, struts, coilovers since it was all apart anyways

 

How much would it cost to buy a frame after the warranty is up, and then do the job yourself? I have friends who can undertake this…

 

Good question, I didn't get anything when I left the shop about actual line item costs or the total just for the job itself. But I'd have to think the 12K amount is reasonable. So guessitmate 60 hours labor at $125 or $150 an hour, and that means you probably are ponying up 5 grand for the actual frame. Remember too that mine got new LCAs, leafs, and brake lines free as well..and I gotta figure most/all of the hardware had to be replaced too.

 

Better to overthink than underthink re the frame, given the safety plus total cost

 

Not to mention that @PennSilverTaco is near the end of his window for a reframe on Toyota's dime, all the more reason to double check everything. I wouldn't want to pony up $12K plus because I dilly dallied around or have to buy a new truck if I didn't have to.

 

I just need this truck to last another 5 years, then it gets relegated to second vehicle status and I buy something new. I’ve got my heart set in a JDM Mitsubishi Delica…

 

At the current rate your frame is rusting at, your truck should be around for another 15 years with no problem.

 

In…for the frame replacement denial and disappointment.

 

I would totally pay to put a new frame under my truck if needed; I just wouldn’t do it at the dealer! I’ve got two friends (both mechanics) who are very good at this sort of thing, and if the three of us did this together it would be cake.

 

Those frames cost a lot more than you think. And doing so usually opens up a can of worms. Not only for other rusted/worn parts, but it’ll never be like it was from the factory.

 

How much cake? Like in a day in the driveway or a in week with expensive equipment?

 

They do the frame swaps a few bays over from me at the dealership where I work. I've seen many, many trucks go through the process. Trust me, it's not for the faint of heart and there are a whole lot of other parts one needs to replace at the same time because they break during disassembly. Doing this at home - especially if you've never done one before - would not be a piece of cake.

 

I don't want to highjack OPs thread here, I'm just trying to weigh my options since I have a truck with significant frame rust. But given what everyone has been saying on the forum it sounds like I will have to get this done by a dealer or another mechanic since I lack the knowhow and equipment. So if Safe T Caps are worth the money in that they are just as strong as a working frame I will go down that route. But I have 2 tacos, one in great condition, and I am considering parting it out down to the frame and using that frame to replace my broken taco. Or maybe it'd be better to sell the truck whole and buy a new/used frame to fix my second. Either way I will have to sell my one truck, whole or parted out, to afford the repairs on my second truck since everyone's prices stated here are all above 10k.

 

You didn't clearly articulate a question, but I'll try to address your concerns.

First, a frame swap - if you've never done one before - is a major job. Doing them on a regular basis - as dealers do - affords one a ton of insight into the best ways to do things and what extra parts one needs to have on hand just in case something breaks. I wouldn't recommend doing a swap at home unless you have a very well equipped shop, a helper and lots of time on your hands.

As for the frame patches that are now available, yes, they're pretty good, but in my humble opinion, they're nothing more than a Band Aid for trucks no longer eligible for a frame replacement. "As strong as the original frame?" Think about that for a minute. First, you're trying to weld a patch onto seriously corroded steel. Sure, the patch panel itself may be good, but how well is it bonded to what's left of the original frame? Probably not very well. How straight and square was the frame when the patch panels were welded in? Did anybody even bother to check? Lastly, how long before the (uncoated) inner side of that patch panel starts to rust and the patch itself fails? Yes, a temporary fix at best. Only you can decide how long "temporary" is and if it meets your needs.

Hope that helps.

 

One friend can’t do it right now, but my other friend has a garage with a lift; We could do it in a week…

 

Yes it did, thank you.

Since then a full frame swap is the most effective option, in your guys' opinion would I be better off parting out my working tacoma down to the frame and using it as a replacement or selling it whole and purchasing another frame? Could I, for example, purchase this frame (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/feeler-2002-toyota-tacoma-wrecked-part-out-whole-truck.733574/) and bring it to a dealer?

I really must apologize, again, for asking so many questions. But this is a lot of money and has been the source of all my headaches over the last year. Thanks.

 

Are you offering to help me? Because if you are, I may very well like to take you up on your offer.

 

Well, that's certainly got some quirks and features.

 

I was talking about me; This is my mechanic I’ve known for years. @Taco critter is the guy you’d probably wanna talk to about frame swapping a 1st Gen