First Gen Frame Repair

I know there are many threads on this, but I thought it would be good to start a new thread to relay this information to people.
But first I would like to get some things straight.

I will tell you about a frame repair product/process from a company that I used, but I am in no way affiliated with this company, so please do not think I am a vendor trying to sell their product

So back in 2015 I received my 1999 from my brother as he had recently bought a 2004 double cab. I live in Memphis, Tennessee, but this truck had been in Connecticut for 16 years, but he never realized that it had so major frame problems (hell my father and I didn't notice until late last year). These are pictures of the frame rust which was worst at the leaf spring brackets.




This was so bad that insurance stated that it was too unsafe to drive and risked collapsing. It also produced an exaggerated taco lean (ya know that thing with the coil springs but way worse). So my dad and I searched and found a company out of Rhode Island that specializes in this kind of stuff. Autorust is the company and the product is called Safe-T-Cap

https://www.autorust.com

The product is basically a bottom half section of frame that can be welded to the top half of the existing frame if there is 1 inch of good metal. I know some people do this themselves, but this was a good option for me because the product was only about $150 per side and it prevented me from having to replace the entire frame which would not have been worth it. I also do not weld so I took it somewhere and had it painted/welded.

This is after

They make sections for other common places that rust out. This product really helped me and its been about a year now. The guy did all the labor for about $1200 which was way cheaper than the 5k it would've cost for a frame. I noticed my steering wheel wasn't turned when going straight anymore (yes the frame rust ate into the frame so bad and caused it to sag so much that it affected steering. Literally crab walking.

So long story short, this product pretty much saved my truck and I was able so safely install a 2.5" lift I had been wanting.

Sorry for the long post but I thought this might help some people if there are still first-gens with this problem. If you have questions just comment and the link for the site is above in the post.

Hope this helps anyone w/ frame problems
Thanks
-Christian

 

Pictures not working !!

 

sorry. try to refresh. I uploaded them different now

 

Now you have them

 

How has this held up? I'm thinking I might have to do something similar on mine unfortunately

 

Never thought I'd see another reply..

It has held up very well. I definitely would recommend it if your truck isn't beyond repair. PAINT IT.

I recently had to get a shock mount that they sell, because my right rear shock mount snapped on a very light wheeling trip........

 

Just got done using their patch plates on that section of a friends truck on both sides. Cut out all the rust, POR what was left, MIG the plates in circumferentially to seal and then POR again. Looks good and probably stronger than stock. They are nice pieces and fit well. Their shock mount and spring hanger replacements are nice. Makes a tough job pretty easy.

 

Christian how long did they have your truck tied up ?
tks david

 

Yuk

 

It was probably a few days. Not longer than a week. The guy had other things going on. Keep in mind the gas tank will need to be dropped.

 

Hey Christian, Can I have the address for the person who did the job on your frame repair?
Thanks!

 

Welcome to TW Eric
Hope this helps
https://www.autorust.com/

 

Thanks Christian. It does help too. Also, I was looking for someone near to Olive Branch MS. to fix my frame repair with Safe T Cap.

 

@DoubleC

 

The place that I went was discount muffler and customs in Rossville,tn

 

anybody found a supplier for frame repair sections that is less expensive than autorust, but trustworthy? I've found a few sources besides autorust that have only 2 sections offered...autorust seems more reliable, but much more expensive.

 

AutoRust is the only brand I've heard of. I will say that after 6.5 years of the frame caps, the frame is still holding up well. Gone on 10 wheeling trips, all after the frame caps and no issues.