Axle so rusted need opinions on best approach

Gentleman and women,
I’m attaching many pictures of today’s wrenching woes.
LSPV rod was rotted in two so I had to take it off, no problem. But I remembered I have a preflared brake line for rear passenger line that runs along axle and so, I pb’d the bolts and started trying to prep that line for replacement..three snapped bolt heads later (the ones with the little line clamps, one that holds the abs sensor wire onto axle housing, and one that is for the LSPV rod on LSPV side) I’m wondering with the level of rust on this axle, if I would be better off buying a whole new one to slap on.
I have much love for this truck, and if you search my previous threads, I’ve already put more money into the taco than it cost to buy. It has had a new frame swap in 2018, and many many other parts replaced or upgraded over the ten years I’ve had it.

I need advice on weather I should buy a new axle and take better care of undercarriage going forward, or if I should stay the course. I truly don’t know the best course of action here, because the axle functions fine, it’s just the components attached to it refuse to come off without snapping off.
I look forward to any and all opinions you folks are willing to offer up. Money is an object, but surely even a new rear end will be cheaper than offloading it and buying something else. I’m slightly above average in terms of mechanics, if you guys could help me with options and rough guesstimates on prices for those options, I sure would appreciate it. Truck runs great…I temporarily secured the abs bracket with wax coated twine, as you’ll see in the pics. Thanks everyone.
Doug

 

I see you have replaced the frame already so that much is done. As far the axle assembly no question I would find a good clean used one and swap it and all attached components.

 

Also gents,
I would like to pay it forward to someone in this community, as a testament to my appreciation of all of you.
I have a set of alloys off my first gen that someone is welcome to have for free, as long as you’re going to use them and not resell. Location is southern Illinois, Marion. Thank you all

 

Depending is the condition of the frame, might be best to drive it until its no longer road legal. If the frame is good, you can buy a complete axle for maybe 800-1k and swap it out.

 

the frame is good, some rust because I neglected to have it coated when they did the frame swap in 2018. Big mistake.

 

My thoughts back then were, “the truck will die before this new frame rots out.”
Never underestimate the 3.4L

 

You should replace what you can and get the frame treated. Still not too late if you planned on keeping it for another 100k miles

 

I plan on keeping it until the wheels go horizontal.

 

If you have been letting salt eat on the new frame unfortunately it might be time too part it out. How much rot does the body have?

 

I'd 1) cobble together what you need to keep it going 2) Waxoyl that nice frame so it stays nice. Two products, one inside the frame and one outside. Do the bed underside as well, basically everything except trans, etc. and exhuast. I'd clean up whatever rusty bits need cleaning up, but I wouldn't bother with rear diff. Then 3) be looking for a new rear diff. Look closely at your rear backing plates for the brakes and see if they are corroded badly. IF they are, shop for a diff with all the hubs and brakes and everything intact. Then you don't need to pull axels and hubs to replace the backing plates. Surely there is a set up in a no-rust state waiting for you...
This all of course assumes you want to keep the truck for a while. GL~

 

one corner of the bed needs patched. Roof is rusty, hood rusty clear coat peeling. I’ll snap some pics tomorrow and add to the thread. That’s all I know about. Sure there’s stuff I don’t know about though. I don’t think it’s time to part it out. Especially considering what I did earlier this year to get it on the road again.

 

The pic of me holding up a broken bracket. Can anyone id that for me and tell me what it holds up? It was broken so i removed it. It attached with a single bolt on the rear of the diff/axle housing.

 

very nice!

 

IMO
Yeah axle rusty
But heavy steel
Unless (as bpfender stated) components coming off bc of rust (backing plates)
I would rather grind/primer/rust coat axle

those snapped bolts can be extracted or heilacoiled if severe enough

big thing here is the rusted out LSVP
(Probably wasn’t even working)
Have you checked your front brake pad wear to the rear drums?

I did when I got my taco
Discovered 99% front brake bias
My LSPV failed, all stopping the truck came from front brakes

Good news bc you mentioned budget….
You can do a LSPV delete for $85

my taco stops like never before!!!
Lemme find my thread

One post on mine says even simpler/cheaper way
Others chose to place the $40 manual rear proportion valve under hood(looks nicer but costs more $$ bc of brake hard lines)

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lspv-delete-correct-return-lines.820615/

 

Been a while controlcar, remember talking to you on the fone! Lol. That’s dedication. Yes even though I ordered a new lspv I’ll probably delete it. Send more info on the snafuud bolts fix, need all the help I can get.
I think step one is build a f’n garage so this stops rusting into oblivion.

 

On it brother……..

 

I guarantee I have 100% front brake bias. I have 250k and never needed shoes on the drums.

 

Craftsman
Drill bit one end
Opo end has a reverse thread screw

 

I kept that snapped valve cover bolt for keep sake
If that extraction didn’t work, would have to pull out engine and buy new Subaru head

my shit was aluminum could not heat
Your axle……heat is your friend
Like plumbers torch to heat your steel axle before/after you drill snapped bolt

Also, pretty sure few of those snapped bolts are part of the LSPV assembly
If you delete, don’t have to worry about