2nd gen frame box plate kit

IIRC, the information isn't on the website. I sent them an email and got all the specs, photos (above) and pricing.

 

completely baffles me as to why anyone going through the effort to plate their frame would leave the weak OE crossmember in there ?

 

It offers strength in all directions. A few pieces of DOM in one plane is weaker.

Edit: I’ve seen some beefy improvements, but at a cost of considerable added weight, ie. 3x4 square tube.

 

Although I understand the premise of your statement my personal experience is the exact opposite. That OE X member is so weak you can literally twist it with your bare hands. With my OE member when I opened my swing gate the entire frame would twist, after removing the OE X member and replacing it with a simple tube X it drastically reduced that rear frame twist.

In addition on a separate point...why go through all that work to leave the OE spare cross member unless you are one of the 1% that might be plating your frame and still running a tire size that would actually fit in there. Makes far more sense to get that useless thing out of there and fab a new cross member that would open up space or make the space usable for something else IE: air, water, fuel

 

A simple X with 1.5” tube would not weigh very much at all....

 

When I did my frame box kit and DMZ install I recalled the complaints I had read about and paid close attention to its construction. I even bounced the idea of it being weak off of Tim. He expressed most of the “upgraded” x bracing he’d seen offered less rigidity and the work to duplicate its design wouldn’t net a lot of gain. My observation is people tend not to tie the tubes through both the plate and the frame as well. Admittedly, all of my knowledge is based off online photo espionage, Tim and an old career as a structural fabricator, but I digress. I’ve noticed the tubing crossmembers in Silverados pass through both sides of a boxed frame and look very strong.

I can’t find the reference, but recall reading the newer crossmembers are more robust than past years. I have considered adding plate on the bottom just for your and other’s arguments sake, but hesitate because of all the crud and salt that may collect.

I’d only remove it completely if I was caging the whole truck. The kit worked out good for me and I assume a lot of other trucks. I have no designs on water tanks and giant air tank expo stuff, but the transition wouldn’t be difficult if something like that started to appeal to me. It would have been less efficient (time/money) to cut out and redesign the diaphragm for a mod I don’t intend to do.

With all that said, it’s likely Tim may have a solid plate kit or the resources to create one.

 

On his web site it's just and extra 25$ I think for dimples

 

http://dmzfab.com/product/2005-tacoma-frame-boxing-kit/

 

Anyone got any first hand experience with the DMZ fab frame boxing kit? Definitely interested in it just for the ease of installation, but I could buy a sheet of 3/16" for the same price and cut my own plates...

 

You could but you have to consider the value of your time. The DMZ kit fits REALLY well, and is designed to fit around the factory cross member left in place. I’d 100% buy that kit for the price over trying to make my own.

My only complaint was the section where the gas tank was. You have to drop the tank and it’s tight with all of the fuel lines but there’s not many other options really. You could leave that section out and still serve your purpose

 

That's my thinking as well. Somebody else has already done the work of designing and cutting everything for me, I just get to weld. I'll probably save a bit and leave the holes not dimpled, I've got the right die at home to do it myself. I'll have to do a little bit of modifying to the plates since I added an additional crossmember to accommodate limit straps, but I don't think it would negate the time saved by buying these pre made.

 

I have it
I installed it
Buy it
End of thread

 

Do we know if the DMZ kits fit the 3rd gens?

 

@Tynan is working on a box kit, I believe he's going to test fit to his 3rd gen.

 

The dimples are really for cosmetics on this. I don't see how they can add rigidity to the plates. Save yourself the headache and buy the kit.

 

It does

 

thank you, sir!

 

DMZ Fab & Race Prep 1610 Industrial Ave, Norco, CA 92860 (951) 371-8500 https://maps.app.goo.gl/k5F7biteRbobRJxy9

 

You know what the plate thickness is? I'm assuming its either 10 or 11 gauge.

 

For those looking to ditch the factory crossmember and DIY a brace in the rear, I went with BCC plates from the great white north. The (un)official moose dollar to freedom dollar conversion is right around $100 shipped (freedom dollars) for their plates. Quality pieces and fast shipping. IIRC, it was about 4 days to the Midwest.

http://bigcountrycustoms.com/product/second-gen-toy-taco-r-frame-plates/