1st Gen Frame Replacement Thoughts

I am looking for anyone with 1st hand (or near) experience with frame replacement for a 1st gen Tacoma willing to share their experience.
I have a eager 18 year old with an indulgent father (me) who just purchased a '98 4X4 Extended Cab with disclosed frame issues. After consulting with a frame repair shop, i was advised to purchase because they can typically be fixed. After dropping it off, i am told it is WAAAY to far gone to be repaired. It is in great shape otherwise except for needing a new windshield and tires.
For those who have undertaken the replacement project, how did you source your frame. Can a frame from a non-extended cab or 4Runner fab'd to fit? For obvious reasons I would be looking to do this right and not simply scab something together to get it on the road and i am not looking to make it someone else's problem. I am in for very little currently and could easily walk away even up...
I welcome any productive thoughts as i consider my options.

 

I’m doing this myself right now, thread in my sig. So is @Sweet Crude. Lots of folks done it. I got lucky and got a donor frame rail for the rear half from another user here. It came off a regular cab and I grafted it on my extended cab. Like said above, need pics of your frame. Safe-t-caps could be an option if it ain’t too bad.

 

Access cabs can be put on double cab frames with some welding to move body mounts. Truck looks. Good and worth a frame replacement.

i actually just saw one identical to that in a driveway yesterday. First one I saw that color. Must be rare

 

Your truck looks nice, how many miles? Would like to see pics of the frame. You gonna chit when you see the mess I'm rebuilding, link below.

 

Where does the Truck Live?

Did the shop not offer to build you a new frame if yours was to far gone?

Pictures ?

Before steel prices increased Building a new Frame for me. Was close to the same cost as getting a used one with shipping to the North East USA from the South west USA

Now I have no idea.

A good parts truck if you can find one with a replaced frame that was taken care of.

Good Luck !

 

We're out there.

It was only a two-year color, though--'98 and '99.

 

im slightly disappointed my 98 isnt one of the rare colors. oh well.. im just stuck with a black 98k mile supercharged TRD offroad 4x4 manual i guess.

 

I feel your pain having to bare that burden .

 

I am in northern NJ and had mine replaced by the dealer about 4 or so years ago. Everything is fine with the frame although other rusty parts make working on it difficult.

When they replaced mine I got new brake lines and leaf springs but they should have replaced a LOT more of the brackets. As it is they mostly break on me now when I go to loosen them and so I have to pay for new ones. Other than that it’s been great. Now I have a 20 year old truck with a 4 year old frame and only 165k on the clock. It should last me another 10 years and then I’ll sell it. Whoever gets it will get a good deal because it’s well maintained and because it’s a taco, is a far superior design to American trucks.

Who says it doesn’t pay to buy a car new and keep it forever?