Broken Frame 98 Tacoma 4x4

Hey all, I was driving home today and noticed that the rear was shaking around a lot and looked like it was twisting when accelerating. I just looked at the frame and there is a big crack in it. I was wondering if you guys think it’s repairable or if it’s trash. This truck is my dream truck and It would be hard for me to let go of it . Let me know what you all think.

ps. I live in the DMV so lots of rust.

 

Unfortunately you know the answer here, new frame required

 

This is the answer I was expecting unfortunately.

 

I just bought the safe-t-caps and fixed mine, but yeah if you can find a good used frame id go that route. It was a lot of welding and cutting and space required.

 

Thanks for the reply! I don’t have experience welding, but am willing to learn. I have good mechanical knowledge, I’ve done all the work on this truck myself. Do you think it’s doable for a rookie welder?

 

I think it would be doable if you're willing to learn to weld first, MIG welding won't take you long to become decent at really. It's pretty easy. The rest is making sure everything is straight and lined up before you put on the caps. I went a bit above and beyond while I was in there and frenched in some spring hangers for my Chevy leaf springs, but you get the idea, the welding is mostly in position simple lap joints. If you learn on the bench it will translate easily to this job.

 

You are supposed to have an inch or 2 of good steel at the top to weld to, by the looks of that frame it's pretty much toasted through. Frame swap would be ideal, but if you don't care much and just want to get it road worthy for another year or two I guess you could Frankenstein it.

 

I have fixed far worse!

The thing is once you commit it can get quite expensive. Just what cost would be to much?

Since your needing to pay for this or you would have just fixed it and moved on.

The last job I bid was $3,000.00 plus before the steel price increases.

 

I took off the bed and inspected the frame and hammer tested it all. The whole frame is strong except 2 problem areas shown in the pictures. I’m willing to spend time and money to fix it. Any advice?

 

Find a friend or company that will help you cut out the cancer and weld these in place, just get the bits for what's rotted out, looks like both sides at the springs?

https://www.autorust.com/product-category/toyota/tacoma-xtracab-4wd/

here's when I did mine

 

Yeah, so on the passenger side, it’s right at the springs, and on the driver side, it’s a little further to the back.

 

if it works for leaves I assume it's fine for the frame

 

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You can buy just the back 1/2 of a western frame and save on shipping. Just weld it top your good front 1/2. Way easier than safety caps. What kind of shape is spare tire carrier in? You will be further ahead doin 1/2 frame or whole frame. You only wanna do this job once!

 

Anything can be repaired

SpeedyTech’s work looks professional/on point

I wouldn’t let a ‘rookie’ welder try on a frame section/sleeve thou
IMO the most important thing is the measurements/levels taken before welding even starts
You don’t want to Crab Walk down the Hwy

all depends how much you want to keep the truck or let the truck be someone else’s problem
GL