Broken frame at rear leaf spring/Flatbed build

Hey guys, I joined this forum because I'm looking for advice on what the best course of action is. I was working on replacing my rear leaf springs and shocks today and when I went to jack up the truck the front attachment point of the driver side leaf spring separated from my frame.

The truck is a 98 SR5 4x4 with less than 150k miles. I would hate to junk the whole truck or sell her for cheap but not sure where to go from here.
I do all all of my own mechanical work but don't know the first thing about welding.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Well...where there's welding skill, time and money there's a way. Going to have to do a lot of frame restoration/reinforcement or find a clean frame to swap if you want to save it.

@Wyoming09 has some experience in this dept maybe he can help with some advice

 

every week there is a story just like yours, just like mine
Safe-t-caps, auto rust technicians https://www.autorust.com/product-category/toyota/

But really if there is rust there you will be fighting it and fighting it and well fighting it.
If you need it going use the auto rust frame caps and keep goign until its all "done"
But replacing the frame is really a better long term fix
You can find a local welder that might weld the safe-t-caps for you or you may find a good welder that does some really good work with his own, or you may find a welder that makes it worse like the PO of my truck did.

I just posted this yesterday for another guy most of it is relevant here too:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/first-gen-frame-repair-this-might-help.511630/

Broken shock mount
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-today-is-my-frame-junk.577543/#post-19134642

Broken shock mount repair
https://www.customtacos.com/forum/127-1995-5-2004/189145-broken-rear-shock-upper-frame-mount.html

Frame rebuild
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/frame-rehab-plans-on-my-99.475827/#post-14428113

Frame repair Safe-t-tcaps
http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/body-chassis/1603-toyota-tacoma-rotted-frame-fix/

Frame swap without pulling the engin trans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urqq8FbVvb0



Frame swap
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-tacoma-complete-frame-swap.499441/

Frame swap
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/01-frame-swap-rebuild-thread.546223/

Another frame swap,
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/frame-swap.541568/page-7

Befor and after video of a guy with the same problem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFHibh0SAhQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFHibh0SAhQ

Another guy working on his rear frame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsQRBHy5RPc

Brand new frame from toyota dealer
https://parts.waldorftoyota.com/p/T...TSfS8PGdlf-DiqI-9gwssNZBkCw2vdo8aAsM_EALw_wcB

Used frame $200
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/d/south-lake-tahoe-toyota-tacoma-parts/6765528588.html

$1200 used frame inLangford https://buffalo.craigslist.org/pts/d/north-collins-toyota-tacoma-1996-full/6772238709.html

No price https://greenville.craigslist.org/pts/d/fair-play-03-tacoma-frame/6771600808.html

no price TN https://lexington.craigslist.org/pts/d/knoxville-2002-tacoma-frame/6771598468.html

someone else looking for frames sometimes good finds
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...3-4x4-tacoma-v6-xtracab.585845/#post-19528706
Also looking for one https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wtb-01-04-frame-in-good-shape.581873/#post-19354235

This guy is parting out
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/96-extra-cab-part-out-picked-up-11-17-18.577843/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/04-xtra-cab-frame-and-parts-not-mine.582253/#post-19366304

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/96-extra-cab-part-out-picked-up-11-17-18.577843/

May have sold https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2003-extra-cab-frame-and-part-out-canadian-edition.529832/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/feeler-any-interest-in-a-rust-free-frame.566270/


Also wrecking yards in the south west sell frames

 

Damn that's got to be one of the most helpful replies on TW lol

 

Thanks for all the replys. I'm in Seattle so I'll do some digging. Not sure what the cost would be on a complete frame swap and not sure if it would be worth it.

From what I can see, which I know doesn't tell the whole story, most of the frame looks decent except that one spot. Total bummer.

 

The frame rusts from the inside out.
Take a ball peen hammer and start tapping around and listen for different sounds. Those sounds that are different are rust.
Front of rear leaf springs, rear shock mounts, above rear wheel, between the frame and gas tank, the cross member at front of the gas tank, the flat at the underside of the frame rail under the cab, around the anti swar bar mounts to the engin mount cross member, ( frame is supper supper thin there) frame behind the coil springs, and behind the coil spring perch, in front of the coil spring perch are your most common areas.

If it is only this one area then this will work until more shows up
https://www.autorust.com/product/mi...side-tacoma-96-04-xtracab-2wd-4wd-tac-157x-p/

 

I was looking at that same one earlier. Any idea what a shop would charge for that kind of job? I'm guessing at least 10-20 hours of shop time.

 

I had an 87 toyota that had the hanger break off just like that and i just cropped out the rusty parts and welded in some good steel and then welded the hanger to the new steel. I would just buy a new hangar and weld that in. A quick search shows they arent that much. I think it would be an easy repair. Take that gas tank out though

 

https://www.improvenet.com/r/costs-and-prices/metal-welding-cost

 

Live or drive into the salt water often??

20 year old truck might just old age and blocked drain holes in the frame

Maybe the truck lived in a area salt and liquid brine was used in winter .

If you can live with your axle just a tad off center because of the difference between the left and right side.

might want to check the other side real close

If your replacing the springs it makes the job easier . the hardest job is getting the bolts out of the hanger bushings

Not a major job let whoever you find decide on removing the fuel tank some places need to because how the insurance policy is set up

 

If the shop want's the bed out of the way, you can do that and likely cut the bill considerably. It's just a few bolts and wire harness.

I have made numerous repairs to 2 1st gen frames in my family. Counting prep/part removal time and actual welding, I think I could do your repair in 8-10 hours. If the bed comes off, the fuel tank should be able to stay, and visa versa. Just my opinion.

 

I've watched that video before, its too bad I don't have that kind of room.

 

Aray02 - how long was your truck exposed to salt roads? Where did it live it's life? Was it ever under coated? I have an '01 I brought to VT from AZ and had it undercoated, just wondering how long I have till it get bad - hopefully never!

 

I got a 96 frame for sale

 

uh oh, I am afraid your frame is toast

But do not lose all hope yet. Bang the frame thoroughly with a hammer to see what areas are rusted through and what is still good (these frames rust from the inside out). The worst area is where the leaf springs attach the frame, right behind the cab (your picture). Then the inner frame rails by the gas tank and the catalytic converter

Of course, if you do it yourself (in your case, a friend or the friend of a friend), it is going to be much less expensive than having a shop do the job.

 

Hey guys, thanks for all the input. After sleeping on it I'm decided not to give up on her just yet. I already have the leaf springs/shackles/ rear shocks and with the low miles it seems like a waste to get ride of her.

My plan is to buy a pair of Autorust fram caps with the brackets installed. I'm going to pull the bed, drop the tank, and clean up/cut out the bad parts and track down a mobile welder to do the job.

I'm in Seattle in an industrial area so hopefully it's not too difficult to find someone.

I watched the YouTube video of the guy who did it in his driveway so I'm feeling confident.
And advice would be helpful though!

I don't know that much history on the truck as I'm the 2nd owner and have been for the last 8 years. If I remember correctly the truck is originally from North Dakota so I think the salt is what started the problem and the wet Seattle weather finished the job.

 

Does anyone have any info on what year frames will fit on others? I'm looking at the 1996 frame for my 2000.

 

Time to buy a new one

 

I'm too sentimental for that.

 

Want to fly out to Seattle and do me a solid my man?