frame swap in socal?

new guy here! I recently bought my second gen1 taco. Since its from the northeast it has some frame rust but no apparent structural damage (yet..)

I'm planning to drive it out to soCal later this year and am entertaining the idea of tracking down a rust-free frame and having it swapped in for the rusty one. Anyone know a guy/shop in the area who would be confident doing the swap?

Cheers!

 

Are there people who can do it? Sure (others might chime in with recommendations)

But if you are paying someone to do this job, might seriously consider just buying a different rust free desert truck.

 

Hi, Toyota paid for the frame swap out here on mine (midwestern truck) and the truck drives great due to all of the parts Toyota put on it and the litany of additional parts I elected to swap out when it was being frame swapped.

Now, the reality. I wouldn’t pay for it or advise others to pay for an elective frame swap. Everything on a salt-land truck is rusty and a PITA to work on (forever) and parts/bolts/lines will break.

I’d personally sell your salt-land truck when you are here (Tacoma tax is real) and buy a rust-free truck (with Tacoma tax for rust free) to take home on your return trip.

The Toyota dealer that did mine hated my truck and I expect they ensured they never did another one. The mechanics out here hate the rust and how hard it is to work versus the trucks they are used to. IF (BIG IF) they agree to do the work they will most likely hit you for every dime of time and every broken bolt and part.

YMMV.

 

How mechanical are you? it really doesn't take much to do a frame swap at home. If it's not your only vehicle and you can have the truck non-op for a month than do it your self. You will save a lot of money and learn a lot about your truck. You can do it with basic tools and a few tree rounds.
@Sperrunner is giving away a v6 extra cab mt frame up in Oakland and I think @Broke Okie Ty may still have one near Fresno.

 

He got rid of it or left it to a mutual friend.

Ty that is.

 

@bushtaco01

Clean frames are plentiful here; I'd just give up the truck and leave it on the east coast.

That or bring it over and keep it as a parts/spare truck.

You'll be going backwards paying a shop to swap it over to a rust-free frame (on top of paying for a frame if you do so for some reason).

 

Ya mines gone to a guy in long Beach.

 

Figured as much.

You move already right?

 

suppose I’d say decently mechanical. This is a compelling idea as I’ve been looking for a project and won’t need the truck as a daily driver.

If anyone finds themselves with a frame lying around towards the end of the year, I’d be keen.

Thanks for the responses guys!

 

Ah looks like I'm gonna be a California resident again for a little while. We'll see what happens.

 

I'll be in Bakersfield and would be willing to help you out if you need it. I also have my own project going on but I don't mind lending a hand or expertise. Where on the east coast is this truck?

 

Yeah i have a frame in norcal but i cant do a swap. Your welcome to have the frame.
Its a 96 v6 4wd ext cab frame. Ik the leaf springs are different from your year the that frame. But mine already has leafs on it

 

Awesome, thanks. I may bug you for some expertise -- hope you like beer. Truck is in Massachusetts at the moment, I'll be driving it out west in November.

 

Right on, thanks for the offer! Will see where I'm at with the idea in a few months, and if you still have it hanging around maybe I'll figure a way to get it down to socal.

 

My brother in law did a frame swap in 1 weekend. A case of beer and a couple buddies helped when needed. He slide his 85 frame with motor, transmission and rear end still intact under a 93 body. Everything lined up. I think the buddies were there to lift the bed off and then just drink beer. Told me he used a tree limb to lift the cab and front clip. We did a lot of engine swaps with that old tree.

 

2 weekends tops to get it running. Hit me up before you leave and we'll have a chat.

 

the trusty steed made it out west! After going back and forth with the idea for while, I’m pretty keen on swapping in a clean frame. Just need to find a donor. Figure I’ll take advantage of the easy access while the body is off and do as much preventative maintenance as I can.

anyone have / know of someone with a frame that would fit an ‘01 v6 ext cab they’d be willing to part with? Hoping to start the project sometime in January or February.

Oh, and here she is out in Zion last week:

 

Pretty sure @Sperrunner still has the V6 manual extracab frame near Oakland.
This is the truck I pulled it off of.
https://youtu.be/m_p3LcgLgaE?si=6rEtzYkMu08wJxqp

 

Its still in my yard

 

yowzer, you had that thing cooking

Would be much appreciated! Figure I'd have a shipping company pick it up. Will send you a pm to coordinate