'05 floor pan replacement, etc.

I have an '05 access cab, 4wd, manual that I bought new. Frame was replaced years ago, mechanically very solid, 2.7l with only 115,000 miles on it.

The floor pan is looking like it will end up being the potential death of the truck, rocker panels are iffy underneath, but the body exterior looks good. It probably could use replacement brake and clutch lines, and the front diff is seeping fluid after longer trips when it warms up.

I'm not skilled enough to attempt something like a floor pan replacement, and all that might come with it once things start getting stripped out to complete such a task. But, I want to consider it because of the limited (but significant) need I have for the truck and my refusal to spend $35-50k on a new Tacoma or almost as much for a late model used one.

Any thoughts on whether this kind of effort would be worth it, money-wise? I see OEM pans for around $500. The truck owes me nothing, but I do feel I owe it a chance and even several thousand dollars on this old timer seems like the best option.

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

Floor pans aren't too bad. Find a shop that does unibody work and ask them about it. Rockers are kind of a bear on these trucks, and if they look bad outside they're even worse inside. If you're having the floor done you ought to have the rockers done proactively, especially if you need the truck to pass an inspection that includes rockers (your username seems like you do!). I think you could very likely have the floor and rockers done for a couple grand.

If you're within driving distance of the NEK, try NEK Collision. John does excellent work for less than other places slam stuff together.

 

Thank you.

Rockers look fine from the outside, but the insides are the tell.

NEK is about 1.25 hours from me, but for a job like this it would likely be worth the trip -- especially if the Miss Lyndonville Diner is still open for biz!!

 

I wonder if you could find a whole new cab to swap out.

 

I've wondered about that, and looked a bit at salvage but will look a bit more.

I've got time. The truck likely will pass another two annual inspections (giving me 3 years from now) with a small patch of a perforation that is on my radar.

 

I just replaced pieces of my floor last weekend. I did entertain the thought of swapping cabs, but i'm thinking a lot more can go wrong with that vs. just cutting out and replacing some metal. For the most part, my floor is solid. but the main trouble areas seem to be at the rubber grommets that the wires and such pass through the body of the truck. There's some pictures of mine in my build thread.

 

Good stuff. Thanks!