Frame Swap 2001 Tacoma

Hey guys! I have a 2001 Tacoma 4WD M/T Standard Cab with the frame rusted to shit, well beyond what the safetcaps can repair. The truck used to belong to my brother who passed away in 2007. Obviously, Id like to restore it. I found a frame off of a 2000 with the same engine, cab size, M/T, 4x4 etc, but I'm not 100 percent sure it will work. I know the front headlights look different between the two years, not sure if this means anything regarding the frame, or if its just a facelift thing. Toyota part number for my truck's frame is 51001-04280. Part number for the donor frame is 51001-04172. Anyone have any insight on this? Thanks in advance.

Donor:
https://imageappky.car-part.com/ima...0 Toyota Tacoma Frame Assembly-Stock# D2385#1

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
It will work

 

I got the wrong year from reading to fast.

Picked up on the 2007 instead of 2000

 

sweet. Does it need any modifications? and any ideas why they are different part numbers?

 

51001-04280 is discontinued
51001-04172 is the frame used for free frame replacement warranty.
Looks like the donor truck got a free frame replacement done.
https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/p/...-FRAME-SUB---ASSEMBLY/4081284/5100104172.html

 

ok thanks again for the reply. is there a reason that the frames aren't listed as being interchangeable if in fact they are? I'm just a little leary of paying through the nose for a used frame that may not work. The funny thing is there are two frames listed on from toyota with a 1500 dollar price difference. One says its a fit when i put in my vin, and the other does not.

https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/p/...-FRAME-SUB---ASSEMBLY/4081284/5100104172.html
https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/p/TOYOTA__/Frame-Rail/4142883/5100104280.html

 

I would call a Toyota dealer parts dept. I think they would help you to explain the difference. And help with your confidence.

 

I’ve found those fit matches aren’t 100% all the time, BD Lila is correct it will work - good luck on your swap

 

Thanks guys. I've done an engine swap on an old 2000 4runner, but this job seems like it's going to be a bitch lol. I forsee a gallon of pb blaster and a MAP torch in my future... any advice?

 

Can you post some pics of the underbody?

You can use the search at the top right. There are several other 1st gen members doing swaps right now and posting updates. There are many threads from others doing the same.



Advice? Plan on replacing a lot of small parts unless your donor truck got them when it had the frame repair, and you can transfer. Like brake and fuel lines, fuel tank straps, small hardware/brackets, etc.

Some people pull the motor with the cab, others remove the cab and leave the engine and trans on the frame. There are threads showing both methods.

I know some folks have damaged wire harnesses by forgetting to disconnect before lifting engine or cab. Usually its the hard to see stuff like lower/rear of engine or on the trans.

I'd plan on doing a bunch of maintenance in the process, like valve adjust, timing belt, water pump, plugs, shocks, exhaust, etc. Anything overdue or even close to due.

 

unfortunately, the frame i was looking at in AZ fell through, as the shipping companies apparently arent shipping frames. This really sucks, as i live in maryland and basically the only frames left that arent rusted to hell are from the west coast and south. Theres are a couple of 95 and 96's that are driveable, albeit farther than id like to go.. It appears the 95.5-97s had shorter length leaf springs. As long as the cab length, transmission, 6-lug are a match, are there any other significant differences that would prevent a bolt-on application? And i Assume i could just get some 95.5-97 leaf springs and they'd bolt on to my 2001? Thanks.

 

Any year frame will work. The 95.5 to 97s have shorter rear springs. The 98 to 2000 frames have a 2ish inch longer frame horns (not a big deal)

If you go with a automatic transmission frame you will need to move the trans cross member or make fabricate your own. If it's a v6 frame you will have to move the motor mounts. Other than that you should be good to go.

I also highly recommend lifting the cab and motor together. There is a lot less work to do that way. This is how I did mine.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-green-truck-5lug-to-6lug-conversion.660999/

 

I really appreciate the input guys. Are the frame horns being shorter an issue with attaching the bumper or anything? and can i just buy 1995.5-97 leaf springs and bolt them on, instead of moving the mounts? i dont have a welder, and would like to make this as painless as possible..

I saw your build and was debating whether to lift the frame and engine together or not. I have a front end loader on my tractor which i think will help make things easier. To remove them together, you would remove the bed, remove the transfer case, drive shafts, exhaust, fuel lines/brake lines, and then the unbolt the engine and then lift the engine and cab together? And doing it this way would avoid having to tear the dash and everything apart, right? Do you have to support the tranny, or will lifting from the engine make that unnecessary? Thanks!

 

You would need to buy the correct leaf springs for what ever frame year you end up with.

When doing a job like this you always end up needing to fabricate and weld things.

It never fails you have no friends that can weld ?

 

The loader will make it a lot easer. I did support the engine but removed the trans and tcase because it was a good time to do the clutch. basically remove everything that connects the motor and cab to the frame and you are good to go. I used this video as a reference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urqq8FbVvb0

 

Got a line on a 98 frame for 1000, he said he'd keep the control arms on for me. Pretty much no rust. Only problem is there is a bend in the frame between the transmission mount and the gas tank crossmember on passenger side. I have no experience straightening frames, what are your guys thoughts?

 

How expensive to get to your location?

Does the owner of the frame know how it was twisted ?? Was it done in the process of removing the rest of the vehicle?

This is one of those things it is very hard to tell till it sits on an alignment rack.

Proper measurements can be done.

 

He said he wasn't sure how it happened. I wonder if it was involved in accident earlier in its life and maybe it was straightened? Although I would think it would be completely straight if that were the case. I took the level out to mine and that section of frame appears to be perfectly square. I was thinking I could just heat it up and use a jack sideways to push it out. Is that an over simplification?

 

And unfortunately it's a 7.5 hr drive...

 

There is a good chance it was an accident.

What do you plan on pushing the jack against? If you're thinking the other frame rail, that's not a good idea. You need something else more stable and less moveable than the frame rail you're trying to bend. Even if you were to do that, the frame might not be square elsewhere.

Id just get the frame to a shop that specializes in doing those types of repairs. They are going to know what to do more than just trying to heat it up and bend it. And you want it done right. Would be an awful lot of work to swap a frame only to find out it's a write off frame.