SHE'S Ripping apart!!!!!!! (Click bait, I knew it was coming)

2ND gen here. I replace my core support with aftermarket. I drilled out the spot welds and used 1/4" bolts in place of the spot welds. 10 years, so far so good.

 

This is what I got going on now, the plan is to use the passenger side mount for the starting battery and move all the aux power stuff to behind the back seat, leaving the stock battery spot empty. Then I'll go get a quote to get that support panel replaced at a body shop. I think this is a solid plan to relive stress on that corner, no?

 

My battery was moved right after I bought my truck and the core started cracking anyway.

 

How big of a pain was that?

Mine’s torn under the battery like everyone else’s. I’ve fixed it once and it tore already.

I’m debating replacing the whole core support vs fixing again.

Mine too.

 

I didn't think it was a huge pain to replace the cores support. Worse part is the ac lines go thru the support and that had to be recharged. I went a little further with reinforcing the new one. Basically I plated from the frame bolts to the radiator mounts and all the way across the top of the core. My hood has hood pins mounted to the top of the core support. I also tied all this into the hood hinges. Of course 11 years later the whole unit separated from the cab. But that's another story.

 

Probably better off hopping on the jd fab group buy and then build a front core support from scratch like some of the guys in the LT thread.

 

$2k ($1500 for 20 on GB) and you still don't get the problem fixed. Less than a hundred bucks you can have a core support.

 

And you still may not have the problem fixed with just replacing the core support. You make it sound like the inner fenders have no value. They support and hold the battery better, create a much stronger front structure, and add a lot of tire clearance. The first 2 help with keeping this problem from happening again.

 

Yeah, its cheaper if you wanna band-aid it.

 

It gets around a lot

 

@E.J.

 

If anyone wants to give this 3M body panel adhesive a try, it's the best on the market. Just as strong, if not stronger than jbweld and designed to flex (a little). Auto body shops swear by it, may be worth a shot to mend/seal a crack on these core supports.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224525089654

 

to glue the tears back together?

 

Perhaps, if it's a tear that's not too large.

 

It's really not glue, it dries rock hard and holds way better than jbweld. I've tested it on many metals and it'll bond two smooth metal pieces together unlike some others.

 

I understand.

Welding isnt glue either, but thats how I say it in my mind.

 

@Chadr7858

 

Had my core support cracks welded with plates over them. Now I have new longer cracks that just went around the old cracks and plates.

For a TRD “off-road”, doesn’t seem to like to actually off-road without falling apart. Can’t ever remember how many sheet metal cracks I have fore and aft on the truck. 8? 10?

 

'Off-road' meant 'Gravel and fire service roads' as far as I can tell.

 

Lol.

Mine is doing the same thing.

My core support is cracked next to the repairs now and needs re-repaired.