I need a new frame

I have a 2007 4x4 Tacoma Double cab long bed GRN250L. It has significant rust on the frame. It came out of Canada and was imported into the us in 2015. It had the frame inspected and treated with a coating at the Calgary dealer in 2014. It seems the coating didn't work worth a crap as it is flaking off with significant rust underneath. As the fifteen year frame replacement has expired on this truck their bandaid worked long enough for it to expire. The body is in great shape with zero rust. The rear gas tank strap mount has rusted out and let the tank fall down a little bit. I have it strapped up with a ratchet strap but after looking around under there there are a lot of bad spots. I don't see any holes but I would like to find a frame with a lot less rust and paint it with pro-15 and then do a frame swap. My question is I can't find any frames from a 4x4. I can find a lot of pre runner frames GRN245L. Are they the same? I know the wheel base is the same. I went to my dealer to see what a frame would cost and it is $4100.00 and a month away. He wasn't interested in seeing if the frame were the same on any other model. In looking online at parts diagrams I can't find a number for the complete frame to match between the two. Thanks for any help.

 

The long bed frame is unique. The short bed double cab and Access Cab have the same wheelbase, but not sure if they use the same frame. But the long bed is the only model with that wheelbase. I'm not sure if there were both 2WD and 4WD models -- in the US, most long beds you see are TRD Sport models.

 

It's a real shame Toyota doesn't use an Aluminum Frame like the new Corvettes do. 100 lbs lighter, 57% stronger, and dont rust!!!!!!!

 

But if you can do the work yourself $4100 is a lot cheaper than a new truck just a little bit of blood, sweat and tears and that is always well worth it in my opinion

 

The PreRunner frame is missing a crossmember that support the transfer case

 

I had a 2001 Tundra that they recalled due to inadequate sealing on the frame, and they replaced it in 2012 I believe. I was waiting for some kind of bill at the end for something, but Toyota covered it 100%. Took them better part of 3 weeks, and they gave me a loaner Corolla to drive. I know many parts had to be replaced besides the frame, as it was a northern truck and a lot of things just wouldn't come off, or were too far gone. it had a few places on the frame that were completely rusted thru. Made me loyal to them after that.

 

wish I could say that. I had a 1983 that I put through hell in high school. it never failed me. I bought a new 1992 truck and loved it. sold it in 1998 with a 150,000 miles. Currently own a 1998 4runner with 180,000 and it is basically bulletproof. no rust at all on it.

 

Looks like surface rust to me. Gas tank straps are thin, doesn't surprise me that one could break in that time frame.

 

Unfortunately can't offer help with part #s, but can add my 2¢ I suppose.

It's certainly a bit on the rough side, especially in the pic where you can see the spare. But before committing to a full swap I'd take a ball peen to the worst looking spots and see what happens. If it feels solid and doesn't blow a hole through it, it might still be salvageable with some elbow grease. I've seen much worse than that on the roads in VT.

Knock off the loose scale, clean the hell out of it with a pressure washer (inside and out), give it some fresh paint on the bare spots, and then go to town with an oily undercoat of your choosing. PB Blaster Surface Shield, Fluid Film, Woolwax, etc. Will slow down existing rust and help to prevent it further. It's unfortunate that it got the bandaid Toyota "fix", most of the time they did an awful job and exactly this happens

If it is structurally shot and unsalvageable, might be a tough truck to find a replacement for being a DCLB. Also have to keep in mind all of the other parts that are gonna snap / break in the removal process. That exhaust certainly looks like it's seen better days, and I'd imagine the fuel / brake lines are gonna be fairly tender too. A frame swap could open a giant can of very expensive worms real fast. If it were mine, I'd really try to salvage / repair what's there. But if you have the space, time, and mechanical know how to tackle a big project like that, I hope you can find a good frame for it! Best of luck

 

umm.. That’s a bit more than surface rust, that’s actually pretty bad. I’m sure the inside of the boxed frame is even worse off. Sorry OP.