Opinions please!

I do have all the stuff...

 

I hear ya, but if your timeline is open, and you’re not afraid to sweat, you might be surprised.

 

Check craigslist, might find one with a good frame and junk body. If you have the space and don't mind putting in some sweat (well, maybe freezing a bit). But not worth paying a shop to do it IMHO.

 

I almost kinda want to. It's just a little more than I am comfortable with doing on my own.

 

It’s not a lot of work in the grand scheme of things. It’s a DIY able repair. Just time consuming.

 

You have a lot of support available here.

Jobs can seem huge -- say 1000 bolts but the drive shaft for example is only 8. Just complete one task at a time in an orderly fashion, take your time and take notes. Bit by bit the job becomes much less huge and daunting.
As an plus you can justify buying more tools!

 

I say part it out! How does the rear axle housing look?

 

IF you do work on this truck. Be sure to be extra safe about it… that rot and crack can make it dangerous once that beds off.

 

PM me if you need any info/help etc. i may have 4x4 parts to make it all work without having to risk going under your 02.

 

part out, wasnt covered by recall?

 

It would have if the previous 3 owners had either known about it, or followed the TSBs. Being an '02, it's fallen off the back end of the warranty.

 

I hate to be the guy I'm about to be, especially since I'm currently fixing frame rust. But if the front of a 1st gen tacoma frame is rusting like yours, the rest is in even worse condition... it's scrap now guy. Say a prayer and sell whats good off the truck.

 

I'm thinking this, or frame swap. I just don't know which to do at this point.

 

Check your body for rust and keep in mind what will have to be salvaged off your current frame, the cost of brake lines and fuel lines, parking brakes, driveline bits, suspension... it adds up. Frame swap is a nice option if you can buy one though.

 

I know I'll need a new bed, but those can be got at a junkyard. Everything else underneath seems to be good. The suspension is stock and I would probably need to swap the transfer case over, but everything else should be good. Everything works fine, just rusting apart.

 

Another opinion from the cheap seats.

Hammer test the rest of the frame. If the rest seems pretty solid, get estimates on welding in some repair metal. Lets say you spend $750-1000 for a welding shop to lay in some patches. If the rest of the frame was solid, even if the rusting progresses I'd think you'd get another 2-3 yrs as a driveable truck. If you got 3 years, that's <$50/month.

Then, part it out. The parts will be even more scare by then, and possibly you recoup the frame repair costs.

 

If you are one to be up for it you can always get a Tacoma frame and start swapping the parts over. Its an option.

 

I’m still here

 

Why don't we just swap vehicles? You can give me your Tundy and I will give you my '02 in trade!

 

Unfortunately I believe you’d be getting the unfair trade here. Lol