1st Gen Frame Rot

I have two spots on my 1995.5 Xtracab that need repair. I'm planning to use the Safe T Caps to fix the spots but I have a few questions concerning the repair. I've done some welding but never anything that thick. What's the preferred method for welding the caps on after cutting away the bad metal? Would my Eastwood MIG 135 be enough? Would stick welding be a better route? Lastly, How long do these repairs typically last if the frame is fluid filmed annually after being fixed?

 

The MIG will work well, it's 11ga, steel.
Fluid film twice annually and hose rinse salt off if possible. Don't use car wash under carriage spray( recycled salt water)
Frames rot from inside, get a undercoating gun and 360° extension wand to spray Corroseal inside box members after welding is compleated. Hit surface rust with Corroseal and paint. Then Fluid Film entire frame inside and out.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rust-prevention-treatment-consolidation-thread.355928/

 

woolWax is better for YOU than that com FF stuff
WW

 

i have not encountered that yet, will look out for it
but the WW treatment went on well the other day with a rattle can, nice and thick! anxious to see how well it stays on the front there if we ever get a nice soaking rain here lol
WW is MA not CA, who would know better

 

Sadly welding and what process you like comes down to you.

Welding on these trucks can be some of the hardest only due to the position the amount of dirt and rust the possible fire hazard .

This can go quite easy from a minor repair to a major project.

Do you plan to remove the bed ?

As for how long things last it comes down the tender loving care the frame gets and just where it lives as long as the rest of the truck.

 

Thanks for the help, I’ll take a few pictures later. The plan is basically going to be to sand blast and restore the back half of the truck and slowly move forward as I have time. I'll be taking the bed off and triple checking to make sure I'm not missing a spot.

I will have to do some reading to compare Fluid Film and Wool Wax, but I want to use one of those for sure.

Should be a fun project once I get started on it in a week or two

 

Here are a few pictures of the spots. Should I even bother with the safe t cap things or should I just cut and weld patches in and make a new shock mount as well as replace the rear most crossmember (it’s not terrible overall but there’s a crack in it). The rest of the frame looks good honestly.

 

Did you hit all over with a hammer?
Sounds scary I know but that's how you find the weak spots by sound or punch through. I would use the cap and shock mount .

 

yes, I did. Those are the only spots. I'm going to buy a cheap boroscope to look in the boxed sections but I wasn't even feeling dirt in there either.

 

Well when you have the bed off, inspect the top of the gas tank, remove the pump/sending unit and make sure there is no rust hiding, and, de rust and paint the rear end.

 

That’s all a part of the plan as of now. I may replace the pump and filter just because they’re probably original.

 

@mtbspm
Drilling 3/4" holes in bottom of frame rails front and back may sound drastic but it's a good way to flush out the box frame with hose while alternating parked direction on an incline.
There are only 2 tiny drain holes from factory.

 

What ever works best for you making your own patch panels or buying them.

Comes down to the time it takes on the easier straight sections compared to sections you need to form and fit pieces around cross members bed mounts cab mounts etc.

Depending on price buying might be cost effective .

Best of Luck

 

Sorry for vanishing for a while but life got in the way for a bit. Over the long weekend, I finally got to cutting and welding everything back together.

I’ll keep you guys posted on results and have more pictures of this repair in my build/project thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1995-taco-adventure.665405/