Opinions on frame rust

Hey guys,

I’ve neglected my truck the past few years and it has mostly sat. Gonna need quite a bit of work to get it road-worthy again. My question is at what point would you consider a frame too rusty to be worth putting a good amount of money into the rest of the truck? My entire frame is coated with a good layer of rust. It doesn’t appear to be rotting out, but I was hoping you could provide some insight. Aesthetically, it doesn’t bother me too much but my concern is whether the frame integrity is compromised or not. Have lightly tapped it with a hammer but to be honest kinda scared to give it a good whack in case it does actually go through (like ripping off a band aid I guess lol).

Take a look and tell me what you think. Still some life left in this frame, or on its last leg?

-Mike

 

Hard to tell without seeing the inside of the frame channels but judging by the outside I can only imagine what the trouble spots look like.

 

Seems to be like quite a bit of rust. You definitely need to investigate it further and go around with a pick hammer or hammer and screwdriver and see how bad the damage really is.

 

Looks more like surface rust. Still would take a hammer and hit the frame to see if there are weak spots - specially the passenger side close to the Aircon. Get the frame coated with wool wax or RP342 to prevent further rust from developing.

 

Is that a hole below and to the left of the upside down "G"?

 

Looks pretty crusty but as long as there are not thin spots or holes you should be fine.

 

I just took a look at it, didn’t even notice it myself. It’s not a hole but definitely a darker spot of the frame. Gave it a few whacks and it didn’t crumble so idk

 

Do you have access to one of these? Great for getting inside the front channel of the frame up buy the Cats.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Inspection-Camera-with-Memory-Card/1002797812

 

No but seems pretty useful. Might look into it

 

Get yourself a ball peen hammer. It’s what the dealer would do.

Tap the entire frame, go lightly just in case. If sound, clean ‘er up, treat and have the treatment done- this will preserve your ability to make a frame claim in the future (if it isn’t too late…).

 

I’d be surprised if there isn’t a hole already started on the frame by the converter on the drivers side. Crawl under the truck on the drives side. It’s right under where the drivers door and front fender meet. Take a look around the the heat shield. It seem like the worst rust starts there.

 

his truck is a 2005. It’s been too late for the frame replacement warranty for at least 5 years and probably longer if he never had the Toyota treatment applied. Clean’er up with a wire brush, Rustolium frame paint if you want it to look pretty then undercoat annually to prevent anymore rust.

 

Oh,,,, guess it didn’t register… Good advise ^

 

Better late than never to get started on maintenance. Set aside a weekend and start wire wheeling, wire brushing, rust converting, frame hammering, and painting your frame.

But like actually do it. Too many ifs, maybes, or buts to determine what your next course of action should be. Start getting some elbow grease in it now. Also consider getting new suspension, it's looking tired as well and that tire cupping is a sure sign of it.

 

Did you get the free Toyota treatment they did a couple years ago on the recall. That stuff was thick.

 

The hammer is the best way to check. My 2001 Prerunner looked good from the outside of the rail but I saw the mechanic at the dealer tap on it under the driver seat and then just pushed his finger through the rust. It is pretty deceiving. A lot of the frames are breaking right under the cab on the early 2000 trucks. They put a new frame and front end in under warranty. The cost was over $7000 in 2010.

 

The deadline for 2011-2017 CRC application is this month so I’m guessing he missed the one applicable to his 05 truck long ago. These days they’re just coating the inside of the frames with wax. Doesn’t seem to be helping much anyway (according to a service person I spoke with at Toyota).