Frame Repair Advice

Just joined TW formally. I recently bought my 2nd 1st gen (2002, 3.4, 4WD) after my 1st was totaled in a rear end crash. Long live "Sir Truck."

With this new one, I need to repair the frame near the rear leaf springs, specifically on the driver's side inner frame by the gas tank (which has poked through) and the passenger's side outer frame rail (which is likely getting patched or sandblasted to be recoated). Otherwise, the frame is sound.

I brought it to a shop since I am not a welder and was quoted about $1,850 to do the job. They are planning to use a saftcap for the drivers side by the gas tank and everything will be coated with POR-15. I am in Virginia and haven't gotten a full taste of what it costs to do frame jobs, but I need to repair it to pass inspection. The frame also has remaining treatment from the dealer. The other stuff like the rear brakes, muffler, and valve cover gasket I will be taking on myself.

Mainly looking for advice on if this repair cost is reasonable and any suggestions about the dreaded rust. Thanks in advance.

 

A little hard to tell exactly what you're getting done/quoted, but FWIW I just sleeved my '00 in the mid-section which includes the leaf spring mount. I bought the Safetcap part ($300) and a guy welded it for $700. Would have been $1500 for him to do both sides because driver side means dropping tank.

I'd skip por 15 and use an epoxy primer. Then Waxoyl the whole frame inside and out.

 

That seems pretty reasonable overall. I've repaired one that was in similar shape and it was a lot of work. If they're including coating at that price that's not a bad deal.

 

Just had mine plated. $1500 with no coating. Took 24 shop hrs. I would check the gas tank cross member and straps while you're there.

 

The drivers side would be getting the safetcap and the passenger side would be getting a patch instead of a cap. Definitely may think about the alternative process of primer over por 15 and using waxoyl too

 

Good to know

 

Must've had a decent labor hour rate. The cross member and straps are solid. Glad to hear that despite the $$ the quote is not unrealistic

 

Yeah it was just a guy doing some side work so he only charged $75hr and cut me a solid discount. I also had the inside of my frame boxed too so it's a bit stronger. Not a forever fix but I'll take another 5-10 years before I gotta deal with it again.

 

You have pictures of the rest of the undercarriage? It looks like your truck has hardly any rust at all.

 

might possibly be more crusty lurking behind that rubbery looking coating
get it softened up and get that junk 0FF of there!

 

Yes not comforted by the rubber coating. Thankfully it is solid but but needs to go.

 

any ideas on how to soften it up for easier removal?

 

I had to patch similar rust, not fun but not overly hard, just tedious.

 

I do. Despite that coating being rubbery it seems to have saved me for the most part

 

Not sure. Going to have to do some research tbh

 

Hope things are holding up but very impressive. What primer and coating did you use?