Rear Shock Mount Rusted Off

I recently got an 2001 Tacoma with 102,000 miles. The frame was rusted, but I figured I could sand blast it and move forward.

I took it to a shop and they said that the rear shock mount rusted off and the truck isn’t safe for the road. I need a new frame and suspension rework that will cost more than what’s in my pocket. I’m debating on parting ways with the truck but I’m devastated to see this go. I’ve been reading into this issue, and my only option is to find a welder to tick U-Channels to the frame to shore it up.

Has anyone fixed this issue or have seen this before. I’ll take all criticism and honest reports. Give it to me straight y’all

 

On the passenger side it is welded to the frame (on top) and reinforcement plate (side), which, in you case, looks like is gone as well. On the driver side it's welded inside the frame. In both cases you have the frame in good shape in those areas. If you go the fabrication route, they might as well fabricate the mounts, you basically need a piece of tube with a tread inside.

 

Welcome to TW, a search here for "frame rust" or "rusted frame" will turn up lots of options of how to deal with it, all of them will be expensive. There are kits (Safe-T-Cap) that can be welded in but the frame inside is going to continue rusting. If it were me at 102K I'd set this aside until I have the cash start searching for a donor and replace the frame, find a different DD until I could get it properly fixed.

 

Where does this thing get parked? Bottom of the Atlantic?

 

IMO, it appears that nothing short of a complete frame replacement is going to keep this from driving you into bankruptcy over time. There are a lot of peripherals that will need to be replaced too. Not intending to pile on here, but that is one of the worst ones I have ever seen on here and/or in person. Even without seeing the entire frame in person, the basic frame damage looks to be so severe that there doesn't appear to be enough good base to handle the considerable welding that will be necessary.

Amazing the contrast where the frame and attachments can be so far gone, while the body and sheet metal on the truck can look so pristine. I'll bet the interior is clean/nice as well?

 

The previous owner never got the frame replaced during the recall. I believe he thought it didn’t apply to him. Crazy. But yes the cab, bed, interior, and everything other than the frame and suspension, is pristine.

 

The previous owner never got the frame replaced during the recall. So if you ever wondered what your Tacoma would look like if you never got the frame replaced. There you go. A rusty skeleton

 

*If I lived in the rust belt that is. Sorry you have to deal with that.

I couldn't imagine having to deal with that. My '03 doesn't have a spec of rust on its original frame, thanks to AZ climate

 

Judging from the few photos supplied, it seems that frame was going to need quite a bit more than "sandblasting and moving forward".

 

Me too, no rust here, original frame

 

Lesson for others viewing this thread.

Part of any prepurchase inspection needs to include a detailed frame check. Hammer, probe, borescope boxed areas

 

I'd say that frame is beyond even heroic efforts to repair it, @Blake Brick. It's gone.

Donor frames aren't that easy to find, but that's your best bet. Alternatively, it's a part-out project, which is a pity given the rest of your truck's condition.

(And BTW, it wasn't a frame "recall", even though it's commonly referred to that way. Recalls have specific regulatory requirements and usually don't expire. The Tacoma frame programs have been customer satisfaction/warranty enhancements offered by Toyota.)

 

^^^^never really heard of an 'expired' factory program but i see what your saying
re-calls no expiration/factory programs have expiration date

i will say.....never know until you ask Toyota
worst they can say is no