Where to get a Frame Swap in Denver, CO

Hi,

I have a rusty 2004 Northeast Tacoma (2.7L 4x4 5dpd, extended cab) and I have been trying to find a solution/repair.

I recently found a beautiful frame that matches my truck, but I am curious about what the swap would look like. I watched a video on Youtube (https://youtu.be/Urqq8FbVvb0?si=hFBj-ofQpWFqhxR9) where the frame of an old Tundra was swapped without ever dropping the motor or transmission, but it would certainly take me over two or three weeks to do all of the prep work and do the swap myself/with a buddy.

What shops do you guys recommend in the Denver/Boulder/Front Range area to do that kind of work and what do you expect it would cost?

TIA,

Harry

 

There are probably a few shops that could pull it off...they're not cheap. I got a quote once, and only once, for a gear swap with the 3rd members removed. It came out to about $200 per hour. For what shops around here charge it would probably cost as much as the truck did.

 

Posting in your regional forum may be more valuable

 

I would suggest renting a car if you cannot afford to be without the truck and then doing the swap yourself over those 2-3 weeks. You'll pay big $$$$ for a shop to do this. I'd doubt you walk away paying less than $4k in labor.

 

Yeah that’s what I’ve been learning since I started calling around. Have you done a frame swap before? I’ve heard conflicting things about the amount of time it takes, strategies, etc

 

I never have done a frame swap, but I just recently did a motor swap (my first one). And in the past I've dropped transmissions, t-cases and drive lines, replaced rear diffs, replaced rear leafs, pulled beds off & done loads of front suspension work.

So I feel like I've done 90%+ of the individual tasks that would be involved in a frame swap. Doubt I'll ever have to do one though, as I'm in Northern Arizona and rust is really not part of our vernacular down here.

I'd bet you can get it done with about 50-60 hours of labor. Perhaps more if you're more meticulous about treating the incoming new-to-you frame to prevent future rust issues.

 

@Tour991 did one in his yard. It can be DIY'd if you have the space and patience.

 

@Hrry4x4
It's really not hard. And you can do it with basic tools. Here is my build thread. You can see how I did it. It took me 3 days. With a little help.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-green-truck-5lug-to-6lug-conversion.660999/

 

is the replacement frame you found Already dismantled and stand-alone part or would that also come into the equation to strip all off before transfer

 

This should help.