Frame rust might have totaled my plans

I just got a 2007 4x4 V6 access cab Tacoma 125k miles, it was going to be my first project car. Everything is in solid condition but the frame was never replaced in the recall. I knew there was a good amount of rust on the frame but was prepared to pay some money to get it fixed up. Just went to a well rated place to get it assessed and they quoted me $9,000 (more than what I paid for the truck) to get it fixed… you can imagine my jaw practically fell on the floor. I included a screenshot from the report they sent me after punching holes in the frame. Then to add insult to injury the shop offered to buy it off me for $2,500. I’m trying to figure out what my best path forward is. I know the truck is worth more than $2,500. I am no expert in rusted frames but $9,000 seems insane. Should I get a second opinion or does anyone have a good recommendation for frame rust shops in Massachusetts / New England? Any help is greatly appreciated

 

You shot yourself in the foot by buying such a rusty truck as the base for your project.

The frame is always one of the most expensive components of any vehicle. You need a whole other frame or a serious welding job.

There's no easy way out without losing a ton of cash.

Tell us you checked the frame out yourself before purchasing yea?

 

Welcome to TW!

sucks your in this spot but yea that frame is pretty rough!
Seems by the time you patch it probably could have replaced with a new frame.

 

It’s expensive no matter what you do now. Cut your losses and consider it a lesson learned.

 

The pics are after the shop hammered holes in it. Didn’t look like that when I was checking it out. I brought it to a mechanic on my test drive to get a professional opinion and asked if it was a bad idea to move forward, he said it would be fine, I would just have to get it treated eventually to prevent the spread. Would not have bought it if the damage was clearer but nothing I can do about that now, just asking for advice moving forward.

 

Damn, I think Swiss cheese would be more solid under that truck lol.

I wouldn’t even try to weld on that crap. Either frame replacement or part it out. Still a project either way

 

You need to get under the truck with a hammer and start banging around to find soft spots and problem areas when you're checking out older rusty vehicles. Especially if you're buying it for some sort of restoration project.

 

Many trucks didn't have their frame replaced because - either the truck was in a salt-free state, the vehicle wasn't neglected by the owner, or the owner didn't know it was an option available.

With that said, it seems you didn't do your due dilligence in checking the frame out yourself. Just because it "looked" better than in the photos posted just meant you didn't check thoroughly enough. This is why everyone suggests taking a ball peen hammer and tapping many areas of the frame.

If it were my truck, I'd pull the bed (and/or cab if needed) and go on to cut out and replace any problem areas. If this isn't something you could do yourself, chalk it up as a loss and part the vehicle out.

I would've never gone in telling myself "I'd be ready to spend money on the frame..." as that's just shooting yourself in the foot.

 

The fact that the shop punched holes in the frame, does not change the fact that those spots were weak regardless!

 

That's really crappy, seems you did do a little more due dilligence than others by bringing a mechanic.

They failed you and I'm sorry.

I say part it out.

 

That frame is kaput. Patching it would be an exercise in futility.

 

Exactly, this is standard practice.

They need to be sure the vehicle is even safe enough to put on a lift in the first place....out comes the hammer

 

A frame is structural integrity for the whole truck.
It’s a huge safety liability too.
You’re going to pay a lot for any shop to take on that responsibility.
Any shop willing to do it cheap, isn’t likely going to accept any responsibility or liability, and probably won’t do it “right”.

 

Yea I had done research on frame repair costs and was told by the dealer and the mechanic that I brought it to before buying that it would only need patchwork and sanding, I was prepared to pay $4-5k in this case. I tried my best to do due diligence but I am no expert. Just an unfortunate lesson. Any advice on parting out/ selling to mechanic for parts?

 

thats enough rust that welding it will just be a bandaid.. it needs a new frame. you can still technically buy one. or find a used one from down south/out west. but its a large undertaking to do the swap.

im putting a 2021 tacoma frame under my 07. so its doable. but if you pay a shop to do it, its cheaper to just find a different truck

 

#1 rule in life: Never trust anyone, for anything, about anything, forever.

 

Welcome to the forum Meg @Shellby.Shark
Pop in here if you haven’t already https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-england-b-s-thread.204874/
Good bunch of peeps

 

If you already had planned on spending 5K what's another 4K at this point.

 

My condolences on the stress this is causing you.

let’s look at the upsides and options:

You can buy another Tacoma and if it has parts that is fading or about to go. You have a whole truck to scavenge from.

You can sell most of not all the parts to get some money back.

You are now apart of the “Tacoma Support group” for anything Tacoma or Toyota related especially off-roading.
Don’t worry we won’t bite…………..


Yet. ‍♂️

 

Even if you had $9k to drop on frame rust repair I don't think it's worth it in the long run based on the extensive rust damage in those pictures. In that condition the only 2 options in my mind would be to sell the truck or replace the frame.