Did a little chassis restoration...

Subbing to this. I plan on doing this this summer. My frame is way too good to get replaced. But still bad spots.

 

Can you imagine driving in the rain with the snorkel forward and bugs that don't plaster your windshield. Not sure if air coming in at speed is good. Branches from trees on trails.

 

Did quick inspection today on my 96 reg cab frame. Looks like my turn to restore the frame. Will be taking pics and posting. Might take the bed off tomorrow. Damn!!. Saw rust threw behind rear shackle so now is the time. Oh yeah it was re coated by Toyota in 2010! Already lost my 95.5 to rust. Here's the kicker. Bought 95.5 new and paid 500 extra at purchase for extra frame protection. 2 months to late for recall.

 

that 500 was wasted...that's sad I'd love for a company to make a great vehicle that'd last 30 years no problem, and go on faith that people buy their product because they loved their last one so much and wanted a new one. not because they needed a new one.

 

I just bought my 2001 Tacoma and looked thoroughly for the rust before purchase. Somehow I looked it over. So I am either to junk this vehicle I just paid good money for, or, repair it. I have looked over plenty of forums, I am not half bad with a welder, and I am about to purchase a powermax 30 on sale. My plan is to cut out the bad parts, and ,make a very large template for the frame and plate it with holes in the center welded as well to disperse the load. Is there any other ideas that would work better such as just replacing the rusting sections only? For those of you that just plated the sections what size steel did you use? I heard just use the 1/8 because if you use anything bigger than the stock frame that the extra strength of that section will take more of the load stressing the welds etc. Any input? I think either removing and plating or removing and reinforcing a large portion of the frame would work just which would work better? I also see some spray over rust that you can spray into the frame as well. I want it to last!!

 

The factory frame is .095" thick, so something like 1/8" would be fine for repairs. If you want extra strength go to 3/16", but I wouldn't go more than that for general repair. Personally I would use cold rolled.

 

Hey guys thanks for the comments.... with regards to the snorkel I dont think it makes a big deal whether it faces forward or back, there are drain guides on the top piece so if it faces forward and water gets in it will just drain out. If it faces backwards the engine still has enough suction that it does not noticeably cause any probs with power or response. For the frame repair we used 1/8 steel and painted inside and out with rust preventative paint then covered the chassis with a coat or Rust-oleum Road Warrior paint.

 

Nope. I only have to take the bed off mine. Cab forward had nice coating of leaking lubricants for probably 15 yrs. Found clogged weep holes in frame today. Stuck a drill bit in hole and water poured out of frame rail!!!

 

Andy G...if your truck frame was recoated in 2010, the voluntary recall issued by Toyota states that you have 15 years from the date of inspection (or recoat in your case) for the warranty fix (frame replacement). I just bought a 2001 Tacoma Xtracab...it was never inspected prior to the deadline which was December 31, 2012. If it had been inspected at any time prior, it would have been sprayed, and then Toyota would stand behind it for 15 years...but since it was never taken in for inspection, and it is past the deadline, I cannot participate in the voluntary recall. But it sounds like you can. The Field Service Technician at my local dealer was very nice...explained the whole program. It doesn't matter if I was the first of tenth owner...the fact that it wasn't inspected prior to the deadline was the killer for me. Also, the cost of a frame replacement with frame, leaf springs, other hardware, and 40 hours of labor is close to $12,000. So Toyota isn't making any money on this voluntary recall. They will either replace the frame or offer the owner 120% of the value of the truck...it is Toyota's call on which they do. And the dealer here in Southern Maryland just received a new batch of frames. They were replacing a frame on a 2009 when I was there the other day...

 

**Showing up super late to this thread

Looking to do this to my 03 as well, but right now is my daily driver.. curious as to how long this took you? seems like you already knew what parts needed to be replaced so I'm sure that sped up a lot.
Just trying to get an estimate of time so I can do this at a proper stretch of time when I'm not needed to drive everywhere.

TIA

 

Kibbler,
If you look at the link in my sig it will show the rust repair I did on mine. If I would have only been doing that total time would have been 2-3 days