Fixing rust holes/Frame repair. Any help appreciated.

well another one with a rusted through frame...

what you need to do now is bang your frame throroughly with a hammer as you probably have more areas that are rusted through. This will allow you to see what sections are still good and what need repairs
First area to check is where the leaf springs attach to the frame, right behind the cab, then by the gas tank and catalytic converter. These are usually the worst areas for rust.

What is rotten and rusted through will have to be cut off then you can have repair patches welded in

 

this is a bad area too!

 

Please tell me that's not a picture of your frame! If it is I would worry alot less about noises your hear from your transmission and ALOT more about getting that taken care of

 

ewwww
I'll add this to my list of critical areas

This is behind the shock mount butress, isn't it?

 

yes, passenger side on that one, the ones i have checked out at the scrapyard seem to be CAKED with dirt,mud etc. behind there, which just holds moisture

 

its not!!, just a local roasted taco of same age '96 and mileage as mine transplanted here from MI in 2000 with a dealer applied rubber frame coat per a carFax check

 

This undercoat is what made the frame rot as this "corrosion resistant compound" is just junk. It does nothing other than accelerating the process as it traps moisture and rust between itself and the frame.

Never ever use an undercoat that hardens on after application. This is a terrible idea

Dealer should have used a wax/grease based undercoat instead, like krown or fluid film. Would have stopped rust right in its tracks (if the frame wasn't rusted through already...)

 

i do not think many (or any lol) have heard about FF,etc around here, especially not in 2000! some still do not to this very day i recently found out lol

 

Sadly Hopefully I can get some more time with it... because 1st gens are hard to find in British Columbia for a reasonable price that aren't rat bagged.

 

It has/had a rubberized coating... I should have peeled it off when I first got the truck 3 years ago. Should've, could've, would've... but didn't.

 

I will update on progress for anyone interested.

 

If you've got the time to post, I've got the time to read! I can't give enough props to those on here that have more guts than sense and are willing to keep these 1st gens alive

Wishing you good luck! If you can't find a welding buddy, it'd still be cheaper to buy a cheap 220V welder) and learn on some scrap then do it yourself, than it would be to pay a shop

 

Haha! Amen brother. Stubborn 1st gen owners perhaps? I just hung out with a few film industry buddies and looks like I made a new friend that has loads of welding experience on older vehicles (He owned a 2nd gen 4Runner). He seems to think this will be an easy fix and while we're at it he wants to beef up the frame. I am keen on keeping this truck alive. I went through the frame with a fine tooth and comb this evening and it's in decent shape, other than the problematic section. I do have a question though... Has anyone used rock guard for the frame? My buddy swears by it... He said it protects the frame from dents and chips... I am under the impression that you want to steer clear of any kind of this stuff. Anyways, one day at a time. Tomorrow will be a good one filled with prep work.

 

Pray tell just what is Rock Guard??

Remember any frame can be repaired /rebuilt the question is When is it no longer Economically Feasible only the Owner can make that call or in some cases the Spouse !!!

I can`t talk I have well over $20,000.00 in my 92 4Runner for the most completely stock

Just know once you can weld everyone wants to be your new best friend you spend all the time welding their goodies your projects get pushed off

 

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company...er-Panel-Coating/?N=5002385+3293193752&rt=rud

 

Pretty Good 1 Review 2 years old.

Anytime moisture can get behind a coating is when the Fun Starts

I would go with Paint and Fluid Film

 

FF does not stick on body panels very well!
i tried in the soft xtra cab spot in door jamb bottom where i found a crusty start, it just washed right the heck off!

 

i am VERY curious if everybody's Taco came already sprayed with something like this?
i have a textured lining over the paint on the rockers and half way up the doors to protect against the stray gravel chip
but its been SO LONG i cannot remember if i paid out extra to have that done with the complete dealer weather package (I literally went all out on the B lol)

do YOU have some texture on top of the paint at the lower part of the doors? its hard to get a pic of it you need to see it up close in the first hand


.... i keep forgetting to cop a feel on the 1 or 2 other old tacos around here i get to see up close per year

 

I kinda agree. At least until we have hundreds of reviews to verify it.
I'd venture to say any waxy/oily type of coating, fluid film, etc is what will keep water away from frame and thus oxidation at bay.
Any coating that hardens or solidifies is what will keep moisture trapped.
So if rock guard is a waxy type, it's prolly what you're looking for to use on our frames.

 

rock guard looks to be a product used if you are repainting body panels??
under the paint on top of primer?
will need to call in the experts on that one lol