Bent frame

Hey there, I recently bought a 2002 xtracab Tacoma and found out after buying it that it has a bend in the frame behind the front passenger wheel. I was wondering if there is anyway I could get this fixed. Any and all ideas will be appreciated.

 

Take it to a frame shop to have them assess the damage and prepare an estimate

 

Welcome to TW John

 

I came into a later 80's Toyota truck (4x2) that the PO had ran off the road on the right side. Bend the frame back to where the tire was against the rear part of the fender opening.

Body shop charged me $700 to straighten the frame. I had to buy torsion bar, lower control arm, and a few other parts. I found used parts. I was out approx $1000 total to get it right. I got the truck free, fixed it, and sold it for $1400. That was 4 years ago and the new owner lives near me and is still very happy with the truck.

 

Is it destroying the front tires ??

Impossible to get an alignment ??

It would be nice to see pictures what is the rest of the truck like ?

 

My apologies I should’ve thought of that. It’s not currently possible for it to be aligned. It does not seem to be wearing the front tires too much but I have not owned it long so it is possible that they are. The rest of the truck is in good condition.

 

I have seen worse but it can be hard to make a call without being up close and person.

Body shop that pulls frames gotta be some gossip about which shop is the best in your area .

maybe who the body shops out source there frame work to.

 

We have two body shops near me that have pullers. I am not sure which of the two is better. I live in Southwest VA if there are any reputable shops that you all know of close by I’ll take it there.

 

I've been a frame tech for 40 yrs. Fixed many of those. When it bends there, it is usually from a direct frontal impact on the wheel. When it bends in that spot, it also moves inward the part of the frame that the rear of the LCA bolts to thus decreasing caster. Also check the cam tabs at LCA bolts to see if they are bent/flattened

May also diamond the frame as well depending on severity of hit.

 

Being it's an '02, what kind of shape is the rest of the frame in? Is it rusted very much?

 

If you can get it to northern VA, I can pull the frame for you. We have 3 frame machines in our bodyshop, along with computerized lazer measuring system
This is when I repaired my own to prevent it from being a total loss back in 2017. Was rear ended by a work van. Before & after photos.

 

Thank you for your advice. The rest of the frame is in very good shape. For the year model it is not rusted very much at all.

 

Where in VA are your shops located? Also do you have any idea ballpark how much it would be to have it fixed?

 

Cool pics, I've never seen a frame shop in action.

 

We are at:
Caliber Collision
202 Lane Ct, Suite A
Sterling, VA 20166
Price would be about $350 for measure & frame pull. If frame also has diamond, add another $50.
You will probably need a new lower control arm as well. (You figure if that control arm pushed back with enough force to bend the frame, then the bushings and ball joint in it are damaged too) Then we'd get into whether the cam bolts are seized up or not, so you could need new bolts, etc.

 

Woah you weren’t kidding when you said northern lol. Unfortunately you are a little to far away from me. However, I do really appreciate all your advice it has been most helpful but I think I’m gonna have to look into some shops closer to home.

 

Nice work!

 

Mine was bent there as well. Took it to a frame shop, count fix it. Told me it would further damage the frame. This was my solution. About $1200 diy
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/frame-swap.660848/

 

Well I certainly hope I can get mine fixed. Thanks for the input though.

 

I’m sorry man. Didn’t mean to be a Debbie downer! I would add that I drive my truck crooked like that for 7 years, it wasn’t perfect but it was okay.