Frame problems, need help guys

Hey guys, i got a 2002 tacoma, it was a tow call that owner didnt pay for and come back for.. well it runs and drives tit! the problem is, the frame.... some (moron) put in a 3 inch lift kit... well the frame behind the cab is cracked in 3 spots, the guys that had it must think they are engineers or something. ive seen dog poop that looks better than these welds. i had a solution to fix the back half so i kept on pecking away, got out the wire wheel on the grinder, noticed factory paint on frame rails under cab and was pretty satisfied... then i got to the right front. they must have either broke or cut and lowered the springpurch, its same as the rear. scabbed over with plate steel, and looks like trash. i cant find the time to do a frame swap. i love tacoma's and ive always wanted one, now i have one and its no good. im kinda heart broke... im at a loss. hopefully the pictures go through so you can have a look. other than junking the truck, whats your ideas? i live in vt so finding a non rotted frame for an 02 is going to be next to impossible.

 

heres a question. i was just looking online at frames, for about 3500 i can have a frame.. but i can also but the rotted sections and replace them... why cant i do that? stick rectangular tubing inside frame rails, weld it and weld replacement section back on. so it supports both halfs? weld it so it looks factory? the back half would be easy.. the front on the other hand with motor mounts and stuff... not sure if its even worht messing with, but a free tacoma that runs and drives!?!?!? never hear of a tacoma for much less than 5-7 grand even beat to h**l and back...

 

Your frame looks very rusty.... I'd thoroughly bang it with a hammer to see what is still good and what is rusted through. Then you'll have a better idea of all the repair work that will have to be done.

Then give this a look:
They make repair patches for tacoma frames
https://www.autorust.com/product-category/toyota-tacoma/

 

part it out,

 

^ this is a valid option if you have the skills. you could make enough to put it towards a better one.

otherwise it seems you have the skills to fix. what about the VIN, did you see if it was taken in to Toyota for the rust campaign? it's only a month left but probably not

 

Were are you located? I can get good Arizona rust free frames for around $1200-$1500 complete. Also sections of frames.

 

OP is in Vermont From AZ to Vermont would tend to be expensive transportation costs

Unless you have a sweet Deal set up with a carrier !

Nothing there on your Truck that can`t be fixed if you have the skills and the time.

Think about what you can afford in real world numbers then figure out what to do.

 

thats the thing, i drive tow truck and im on the road 6 days a week all day. Once i saw rust, i grabbed my ball peen hammer and went to town on it.. the center sections look and feel to be intact. ive towed in several wrecked tacomas and even insurance companies want over 1000 for them and i have somewhat of a small budget... apparently these have gold in them somewhere... obviously not the frame! lol. i was watching online and they sell weld on replacement sections. not sure how that would look. ive done frame work on a 1ton before but wasnt happy with it. it seems to be cab back thats ruined, cab forward seems to be ok. i picked up some Rustoleum rust converter, black primer and black paint and black rubberized undercoat. I was planning on doing a frame splice then sandblasting the frame or something then rust converting it, priming then painting frame rails. and i know that looks bad (the center sections) to most, but remember, i live in Vermont and they go spreader happy with the road salt. it seems to be just surface rust from what i can tell. and i dont think anyone would buy many parts out of it.. then i have a dead carcass in the garage to deal with.
do i fix it? put a new power steering pump and alt in it or ship it?

 

Why would it look bad if you know what your doing !!

It all comes down to having the time to do the job

 

I would take it by a dealer and see if you qualify for the frame replacement...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/frame-recall.484731/

 

it's a 2002, at best a month left. "if" it was taken in, which judging by the amount of so-called "poop welds" was probably not.

 

You said you can get a new frame for $3,500? Why not do that? Seems like a small investment in money for a solid foundation that you will not have to keep pecking away at with repairs. Your big investment will be in time to do the swap but it would probably even out with the time you'd spend repairing it.

 

i would just buy a new frame for 3500... if i had 3500 to spend on it right now. i will in a few more months but then i have to find somewhere to tear this one down and store the frame until i can swap it. if i did the weld on replacements, is that legal to be inspected? i know some places wont inspect if they see ANY frame patch or mods, thats why i want to cut the rear half off, insert a section of rectangular tube inside the truck frame rail and weld on the back half of a good frame. if i do it right, take my time then it "should" look factory. the only spots i know i would need those replacement weld-on's is in the front near suspension because they welded a single 2x3 plate on both left and right sides

 

inspect the top of the frame really well. it looks to be peeling a little in most pics. salt will sit up there too as you know.

 

well.. as luck would have it, my buddy just totaled his 02 about 45 mins ago, im praying i can buy it off him. his was frame swapped! fingers crossed!

 

thanks for sharing. I may be in need of their mid frame kits for my 98. I was just about to ask if anyone made a kit but i guess that question was answered before it was asked.

 

well guys, good news. its mine! he just had the frame swapped 3 months ago. put in a new lift kit and new mud tires a few weeks ago. i just got it for 300 buck! im pulling my cab and bed and putting it on this. both are extra cab and 5 speed. hopefully his motor is good but if not i have mine still.

 

even if its bent which it looks like it is, looks like the bed is out more than the cab but that may be cab damage idk. i havent seen it yet. but for 300 buck i think its worth straighten it if its not to bad

 

I had one where the back half was rusted and the front was good. Chopped the frame behind the cab and welded on another one from a parts truck I had. Could be easier than tearing two trucks all the way down. Got it pretty close, within a 1/16-1/8 and it doesn't drive any different.

 

As to safety inspection that would be a State by State thing Here in Pa it seems to be no Big deal.

Might also be at the whim of who is doing the inspection I ran into that a Few times when I sent Mom or female friends

After building New and Repairing Frames on most all makes .

I am sure the quality of the work might come into play

I hope your friend was not Hurt That looks like a pretty good Hit!!!