1997 Frame Rehab Thread

Over the weekend I was given a 1997 Tacoma. It was from a retired friend that was dealt a poor hand with his health. I'd helped him a number of times and he was ready to get rid of the truck. He decided to pass it along to me since I like working on vehicles in need of repair.

It's a SX, 2.7L, 4wd, 5 speed, 47k miles. This truck was missed in the frame recall....the original owner did not take it in. So, as expected the frame is toast.

Tonight I started the frame rehab project. The bed is pulled, we hammered all over the frame to knock the scale loose and find the soft spots...there are plenty! I'll update the thread as I have questions and when I make progress on the build.

 

The original owner laid down a serious coat of wax before installing the bedliner!

 

Was that a typo or does it actually only have 47000 miles on it??

 

The bed removal took about 45 minutes. The impact gun and lift made it MUCH easier.

 

47,069 miles. No typo.

 

Actually for the '97s there was no frame warranty program, rather Toyota would buy your Tacoma back from you for 1.5x KBB value. The frame warranty program only applied to 2001-2004 Tacomas...so it was a blessing in disguise that he didn't take it in or Toyota may have bought it back and you wouldn't have it today.

Excited to see the progress!

 

After a thorough pummeling with the hammers my driveway is covered in Toyota metal. If anyone needs parts feel free to gather them up.

 

There are baseball-sized holes in that frame. What is the game plan here?

 

Back half it and do a tube flatbed?

 

47k miles and yet the frame is toast... proves how corrosive that salt and chemical stuff they put on roads during winter is

Anyway, good luck in your project and if that can help you :
https://www.autorust.com/product-category/toyota-tacoma/

Also, if you or a friend of yours know how to weld, it's going to make it a lot easier (and cheaper too!)

 

I'll have better pictures of the frame today. I attacked it with the 3800psi pressure washer last evening. Had the throttle dialed up and the fine tip on the gun...that really peeled the scale and cleaned the frame off. Ran out of light for good pics.

I looked at the Safe T Cap system and planned on going that route. But after seeing the frame, it is pretty simple. There is a good metal supply shop a couple miles from me that I've used for other projects. I'm going to have them shear some strips (11 gauge, 2 3/8" wide x 80" long) to repair the top and bottom of the frame. Once those are tacked in place I'll make a template of the side panel and have them cut it out. I can cut it but they can knock it out much faster with a plasma than me with an angle grinder. I'll also install new spring hangers while I'm at it.

That's the plan for now. Still have a lot of cleaning to do before I start putting on new metal.

 

Frame pics.

 

More holes.

 

I could stuff baseballs in them?? I may even need some footballs to fill the gaps.

 

Where in Pa are you ??

 

Armagh. 55 miles east of Pittsburgh

 

So far I have zero dollars in it. I have materials to start some work on it. If my initial plan doesn't work then I'll back half it and make a tube bed.

 

You'd be better off trying to find a used frame somewhere in a dry climate. That looks like too much to try and fix imo.

 

Done right it will be better then new

Only if the time to do the work decides if it is worth it to the owner

 

WOW that is bad. Doesent even look like there is any metal to weld your plates to lol. Good luck and look forward to seeing how it turns out.