Frame hole...

Hey all, I unfortunately discovered a hole in my frame yesterday (Pic below) located right behind my rear driver side wheel, and figured where better to ask. It’s an 01 Double cab. Don't know exactly how long it's been there, I've been driving this thing since December and only just discovered it, although it definitely wasn't there when I bought it. I believe it is recent within the last 3-4 months, as I haven't been under the rear much since March/April, and definitely don't recall seeing it back then. Although it was a bit rusty back here when I bought it, I didn't think I'd have holes this quick. I was intending to do some rust prevention on my frame within the month, but this has put a stop in that for now. Overall the rest of the frame is pretty great, just this area under the bed and some other small areas are starting to go as you can clearly see.

Is this something I should be pretty concerned about? Should I be driving with this at all? I figure it could be in a worse spot, although being right in the middle of the leaf sketches me out. Apologies if it's a dumb question, new to Tacomas and dealing with rust.

Planning on taking it in to a welding shop and having them weld new metal in on both sides soon, as the other side is also quite rusted. Any ideas on roughly how much that would be, if this thing isn't too far gone already? The rest of the truck is 10/10 especially the motor, and the frame is only just starting to rust in some spots, mainly on the crossmembers and under the bed. I love this thing and don't want to get rid of it.

Cheers, and appreciate the help.

 

From what I have seen from other Tacomas that is a pretty common area to rust through.

I’m sure the bed will need to come off for the repair. Get you a light weight hammer and tap around in other areas not hard because you may break through. Maybe that’s the only area but I doubt it.

 

These pictures are a little dramatic hopefully yours is no where near this bad.

 

Right on I appreciate the info! Though the hole on mine is behind/right above the rear wheel not in front, that spot on my frame is actually very solid and was professionally repaired prior to me buying it. Although it could use a coating since it’s just now getting some surface rust on it.

The are around this patch is pretty rusty, but luckily it’s just flaking at the moment aside from this spot. I tapped around with my knuckles and it’s fairly solid otherwise but I’ll definitely check with a hammer to be sure.

 

Dang that sucks. Makes me want to go and do my winter frame service now.

 

is the DC rear shock mount area different than the xtra cab is

 

If you are going to fix it yes - take bed off. Invest in an air needle scaler. Those things make short work of getting rust and loose metal off. You will most likely have to do some fabrication to reinforce what has broke.

 

It depends just where you live ! Prices can be very regional..

Depends on if you even find some one to take the job. Because of Insurance ( all different) the gas tank must be removed to weld on the vehicle.

You really want to find someone that has done several of these Tacoma frames.

Meaning lots of broken fuel system parts.

What kind of money is in your budget ? You have many different options.

Last Job I bid about 6 years ago was $ 3500.00

After the work is done consider some frame treatment !

Best of Luck.

 

how does that air needle scaler work in the pitted areas?

 

It does a good job of knocking back all the rusted stuff. You want to break all the pitting apart so you can get back to either a salvageable area or you just have to cut out and weld in. If it's pitted too far well then cutting it out would be the next step. A good rust encapsulator like Eastwood for example would be good at encasing any rust but if you thin out the metal too far then it's replacement time.

 

Pretty sure they're the same, just on OP's someone welded in a shock mount relocation (perhaps in part due to previous rust issues)

 

oh ok! thanks for the info

 

I paid 5800 for a frame restoration on my 2001 Tacoma SR5 extended cab. I would recommend getting that into a shop and have everything looked at. I found another hole on the front and got that fixed right away.

 

I appreciate the info all! I’ll be taking into a shop soon to get a quote, might just get the whole thing looked at and have the bad areas done as you’ve said above. Luckily it really isn’t bad under the cab and between the bed/cab. The frame was repaired before I bought it but the areas that were done are quite nice still, only just getting surface rust. They didn’t bother doing under the box and the crossmembers however, I’m guessing they weren’t too bad when it was worked on. Up front needs some attention as well but it’s definitely not nearly as bad as the rear.

once again appreciate all the info!