2003 Tacoma frame rust repair

I would cut off the shock mount and then run the bolt or bar stock across the top of the frame rail, then plate a triangular piece on both sides of the frame.

 

Gas tank out. Degreased and power washed. Still need to remove front crossmember. Waiting for it to dry. Corroseal still hasn’t been delivered.

 

Old crossmember out. Last bolt was a real pain. Had to cut it off. Corroseal finally arrived!

 

Have fun getting the new one in, its kind of a puzzle. Might have to loosen up the rear one.

 

I was just trying a test fit. Does the passenger shock have to come off? And If so, do I need to somehow compress the shock a little? I ask because I loosened both the upper and lower shock bolt, but the shock feels rock solid. Is that because there is no bed pushing down on suspension?

 

My shocks were already off, so I can't help ya there.

The shocks won't feel loose with the bolt off, you just need to wiggle the whole shock toward the middle of the vehicle to get them to slip off the bar at each end.

 

Let the rust conversion begin!

 

About an hour after applying Corroseal

 

This might be a dumb question but can I remove the rear crossmember even though the one to hold gas tank is not installed?

 

I don't see why not.
But I wear bifocals, So....,
You trying to get in those nooks and crannies?
What happened to welding before coatings?

 

I’m going back in tomorrow with some foam brushes for any spots I missed.

I stopped coating before getting to passenger shock mount. I’m still strategizing on how to tackle that one.

Appreciate all the help you’ve provided!

 

Looking good

Try to get in those holes where cross member meets side rail. I used a cup gun, airbrush and 360° wand on undercoating gun at different areas.
Turns skin black too. Aye.

 

@BossFan
Have you considered editing Thread title for easy Google search?
Like maybe
"Tacoma frame rust repair"

 

I’d be happy to modify the thread title, I just don’t know how.

 

Scroll to your this threads 1st post
Click THREAD TOOLS below title
Click EDIT
Type in new title

 

Thanks!

Regarding the passenger shock mount mount, is this in bad enough shape to replace?

 

I started prepping the differential today. I disconnected most of the brackets. I also took off the cover to the e-lock to clean that up. The two things I didn’t tough were the vent tube or the drain plug. Something tells me that neither of these is coming out. How critical is that vent tube? I know it’s not venting. I also removed the rust goblin of a LSPV.

 

@BossFan
Replace diff vent, when clogged/inoperative axle seals fail and rear brake shoes get 75w90 bath. There is a mod to put MPT/BARB in vent hole and add hose that ends with vent under fuel door.
Top of shock passes, not sure what lies below attachment points.
VS



Keep up the good work

 

Give differential drain plugs a good long liquid wrench soak.
Many times the aluminum crush washers are missing and the steel plugs seize to steel diff.
Always remove fill plugs before drain plug.

 

Thanks. I guess that plug in the rear of differential is really a ‘fill plug’ not a ‘drain plug’. I’ll give that a good soak.