1st Gen Frame Cracked

Just discovered my frame is cracked, both sides same place.
2004 Double Cab TRD.
Bought new in 2004.
218 400 km (135 700 mi).
In Calgary Alberta (salt not used on roads).
All frame recall inspections and repairs were done according to Toyota. Vehicle is well maintained by Toyota Mechanic.

I’ve contacted Toyota Canada asking how they will help remedy…

Has anyone had their frame crack?
Is it repairable at reasonable cost?
Thank you.

 

That could be repairable, perhaps. But not likely worth it and may not be if there's not enough adequate quality metal left to weld to. You'd be better of looking for a clean frame to swap your truck onto, or just selling your truck as a parts truck

 

I was afraid someone would say that...

 

What year was the frame replaced?

 

Frame not replaced. Original frame. Toyota inspected, and spayed some goop in/on the frame.

 

Toyota isn’t going to help.
They won’t even help the guys with newer trucks.
If it’s over 12 years old. You are on your own.

It’s just how it is. If there was not a hole 10mm or larger at the time they inspected the frame. It passed inspection.

 

Many people have experienced this.

What's a reasonable cost? To someone, $4,000 is reasonable, to others it's enough to jump ship and sell the truck. Could cost more, or less, depending on who you go to.

Looks like the frame has been neglected indefinitely.

 

Yeah, my frame warranty was extended to 15 years from vehicle purchase/registration date. So expired in 2019 Dec. Can't hurt to ask though. I realize there's probably 0.001% chance Toyota will help us though.

 

No. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
You have nothing to loose by asking.

 

My truck has low mileage (for a 2004), I've owned since new, and is otherwise in good shape.
If I could get this fixed properly for $4000, and get another 5+ years out of it, I'd do it.

 

Re: "If there was not a hole 10mm or larger at the time they inspected the frame. It passed inspection."
Yeah, I remember this criteria when the recall was started.
And I remember thinking at the time, why the hell did I take care of my Tacoma? If I'd miled it up and beat the crap out of it I'd get a new frame. Instead I got goop sprayed in the frame.

 

I appreciate the comments and advice guys.
I'll take it to my Toyota truck mechanic and see what he says. He's good and honest and knows Toyota 4x4 vehicles inside out.

 

look into safe t caps

 

Thanks Crisp Chicken 9.
Those look like the right part…if they can be welded on to the rust.

 

It would take some time and patience to get underneath and knock off all the rust you can to expose any clean and solid metal.

Removing the bed would give you all the room you need to get at your rust, while allowing you to assess the rest of the frame. Only then should you be able to see what all you will need to reinforce/replace, and decide if you want to go through with it yourself or get it done by someone else.

The labor of removing parts, clean-up and prep should be the bulk of your cost. Followed by the cost of material (the reinforcement plates above for instance) and labor for welding said plates on.

 

It's not too difficult to take the bed off people do this with 2x4s screw driver, and a come along hoist search youtube
As for prepping the surface you could get a sander/grinder from harbor freight to evaluate the base metal

If the metals too gone it's true it might not hold up for long but it's your best bet..
you could take it to a frame shop they could professionally evaluate it for you, they'll know what can be done

 

Or, if you have a friend, just lift it off by hand. One person on each side. It's not that heavy.

 

Get one of these for each side.
Then address the actual crack itself with the welder, before installing one of the mid section plates on each side

 

I have experience with the Safe-T-Cap and it worked great. I have some pictures and more information on it on my profile somewhere. All in all material was like $465 with the material surcharge I believe and then I paid $1800 for the welder to cut the old and weld the new. When I pulled up to the welder and they saw my frame, they nearly LAUGHED me off. I pulled out the steel cap and they changed their tune speedy quick once they realized this cap kit is the truth. I talked with them and gave them the instructions and made sure the BED DOES NOT COME OFF. YOUR BED MUST STAY ON FOR ALIGNMENT PURPOSES!!! My frame was worse off than yours in that exact same spot but after the cap was installed I never worried about it. I actually flipped my truck over on its side and the frame is still solid at the welds. All in all, if you cannot find a donor/replacement frame and swap it yourself, then having a welder do the cap is a great option.

 

good point this would make a slot of sense