Let's do the whole 9 yards

sorry no cell to take pix-not getting one
From on site responses here in PA I think frame is toast.
SO approx cost and source closest, please.

 

Welcome to the Forum.

Just what are you asking ??.

No new frames I have been trying to buy one for years.

Used Frame out of The Southwest plus shipping !

Rebuild what you have ?

You can do all the work your self ?/ or Friends for expenses for swapping or rebuilding or you need to pay labor to someone willing to take on the task??

 

am determined to rebuild-lots of miles left-only drive apprx 6M per year.
suggestions on how to find a 'rebuilder'

 

What?

Complete sentences please.

 

I would figure out a way to post some pictures up here. We can tell you whether you'll be able to fix the rust or if the frame is toast. A lot of people use the Safe-T-Cap products to reinforce the frame:

https://www.autorust.com/product-category/toyota/tacoma-xtracab-4wd/

But that only works if you have enough solid metal left to weld onto. If the frame is repairable, you'll want to find a local welder. Based on what I've read here a lot of auto shops don't want to do frame repair for liability reasons.

If the frame is toast your only option will be a frame swap. Clean frames can be found in the SW and deep south, but you're unlikely to find many rust free frames in PA. 1k-3k seems to be the typical price for a frame, but getting it shipped to you and paying someone to do the swap is likely to be at least 5k, probably closer to 10k if you're paying $100/hr for labor. I had my frame replaced by Toyota last year and they billed corporate 13k.

 

for not having a cell, you sure type like you're on an old flip phone...

There are too many variables based on your half sentences to try and get a good understanding of what might be best for your situation.

All we know is you live somewhere in PA, and apparently drive 6M (which is short for million, lol) miles a year, and your frame is "toast".

People have done frame swaps, but frames are hard to find. You're not going to find a new one unless you know someone at Toyota (not just someone at a dealership). Best bet, as said, is going to be a frame from AZ, or inland CA, but good luck there! Keep in mind that every nut and bolt, bracket, hanger, and fitting is going to be just as rusty as the frame.

You can also find a wrecked donor truck (also from a non-rusty SW state).

There are also frame plates you can buy or fabricate that will reinforce the frame, but they don't actually "fix" the problem unless you remove ALL the rust from inside the frame, too. These rust from the inside out, so how ever bad it looks on the outside, it's probably 10x as bad from the inside.

 

All horrible suggestions.

The OP will be taken for a ride for a frame swap, cap welding, etc. if they can't ask a question on a forum.

The best advice would be to buy another Tacoma; knowing what she knows now about the frame will ensure she performs a thorough inspection on the next one.

 

Please tell me where the Truck Lives ??

If your close enough I give it a look .

Pa is a Big State Last I looked

5speed might be a fun Project if it is a 3.4

 

The rest of the story!

I can understand the whole new to Computers thing It also does not help that around this time She had a Tree fall on her head at 76 that has to be rough

Now what gets real interesting a Toyota Dealer says they can get her a new frame First I heard of this although with Labor a flat rate at $7500.00 a few assorted extras with the frame looking at $12,000.00 .

The scary part once you commit you agree to all the added parts and labor like Steering Rack needs replaced Control arms etc .

One might end up putting an easy $16,000.00 into a 2001 .

I have always stated these are great trucks but when your paying labor for every thing it gets to the point it is no longer cost effective .

I can save the truck or I would buy it if it every came to that.

 

50's and deuces, son! plug n' play.