Can This Tacoma Be Saved? (1st gen '04 tacoma rust issues)

Hey everyone, new Toyota Tacoma owner here!
Quick question - attached are pictures of the rust damage. The entire vehicle frame is perfect, but along the rear driver's side of the frame where the leaf spring attaches to the frame, there is a big ol' rust hole. Further down towards the driver's side you can see a bit more rust damage, not a hole but a streak of damaged frame.
Again, the rest of the frame is perfect, but is this hole too much to get fixed? I was thinking I could buy a piece of metal from a site like autorust.com or something and replace that part, but I don't know a lot about frame/welding work. Some of my friends/associates think that it can be fixed, others think it is shot. Any opinions would be awesome regarding my course of action to fix said issue/get rid of the truck.

 

Anything can be fixed with enough money and skill. I know it is possible to weld in new pieces of frame. If the rest of the truck is in good shape you have to weigh the risk/reward. Is this your truck or one you're considering buying? If you don't own it yet, I'd keep walking. If it's already your problem and you have no other good reason to get rid of it, that changes things.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
Best course of action is to find the authorized safe T cap installer nearest you to have them fix it.
https://www.autorust.com/safetcap-installer-network/

 

I bought it a couple days ago - my buddy said that the rust wasn't that bad considering the rest of the frame was perfect... feels bad man

 

Thank you sir. I am down in florida about 1.5 hours from Fort Myers, I may go down there. Thanks for the help!

 

Welcome to the Forum.

Lots of Surf fishing or that salt filled Air?

A transplant from the Liquid Brine country .

You have your work cut out I hope you got the truck cheap.

I paid $400.00 mine frame about like that.

Good Luck

 

I can't imagine the other parts of the frame being perfect with that bad of a rust in that spot. I ran a borescope through the frame when I bought mine to make sure that it wasn't rusting from the inside out. You can probably get one for cheap from Harbor Freight and see.

 

Rust is famously known for unseen damage. Meaning that 1/10 of the rust is what you see and 9/10 is what you cannot see. I would try to locate another frame if you could.

 

id part out everything but the perfect frame...

 

If you are in Florida, I'd be scouring the junkyards for a rust free replacement, especially in the interior areas of the state. I found some great sheet metal parts in the Orlando area. Removal was a breeze, as nothing rusted!!!

 

Thank you.

 

So you are saying that the I should just try and find a whole new frame? I am just thinking that I could replace that piece

 

I can't just fix that one spot though? Again I did the hammer test everywhere else and like I said no problems. It is just that one spot.

 

Sounds good, thank you for the advice. Like I said, I did the hammer test everywhere else and did not have any issues - it is just that one area.

 

A non-rusty frame replacement is the best course of action, but it can be rebuilt pretty cleanly with sections of rectangular tubing (done right) or 1/8" sheet steel.

I would not put your trust in the safe-t-caps, because your rust goes over the leaf hanger, and those caps are notched for the leaf hanger

You could also butt 2 clean frames together by a good welder

And while you are doing that, 64" Chevy spring swap it

 

The section of Safe T Cap comes with leaf mount welded in place

 

Replacing frame pieces always seems like a simple and straightforward process, until you start digging. I suspect you are in for a case of shipwrights disease. The more you dig into it, the more you will need to repair. Think of it this way, why would that section of frame be the only part of the frame that would rust that bad? It would make sense that there are other areas that are probably on their way to a similar condition, but you cannot see the damage because it is internally rusting and will not be fully known until it is too late. You note that the rest of the frame is in good condition and passed the "hammer test" The problem with the hammer test is that what tests as strong now could be close to being compromised but you just can't see it. In my humble opinion, you should either find a replacement frame or find a donor vehicle that you can combine two trucks to make one.

You do not mention if you have the skills and equipment to complete the necessary repair yourself. Your own free labor can make the project worthwhile. If you are paying someone else to do the work then it can become very expensive, very quickly.

At the very least you should purchase a cheap boroscope that you can connect to your phone that will allow you to see what is going on inside the frame.

The hardest decision you would have to make is not to try to fix the frame but to decide that the cost is not worth the end result and to accept that continuing is not the best idea, take your monetary lumps and move on. The best advice I can give is for you to take your time, do the research and make sure you are certain what you are getting into before you proceed.


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How much did you pay for the truck if you don’t mind me asking?

 

It comes down to this is your Truck decide what is the most cost effective solution in your case.

If have done all types of repairs done correct they all work.

The way these frames rust makes no sense . In the same climate the same type of use Some in the rear both sides only one side ..

Deal with the truck in front of you.

I must say the frames I repaired 15 years ago are still going strong.

 

$7,000. It is a '04 double cab 2.7 2wd prerunner and I thought it had 136k miles. Ran a carfax and it actually has closer to 300k. I am pursuing legal action atm but who knows