Rebuild Possibilities 2014 Tacoma

We are new and have loved our Tacoma. We are wondering if the C-Channel rails the truck is built are made of tempered steel or not. Does anyone know if welding onto the C-Channel rails the truck is built on is okay or will compromise the strength and tempering of the steel, should they be tempered. Have tried to contact dealership service and parts and Toyota proper for response about tempering and have received no answer yet. Do any of you know?

 

What are you welding? Like Rock Lobster said, people weld sliders on all the time.

 

Lots of people weld on sliders, and some guys (mostly long travel) box the frame in without ill effect.

 

We're wondering if welding would work for repairs when a rail is torqued slightly, has a small buckle, or a small crack too.

 

Looking to repair the rails and beefing them up with additional metal rather than replacing them because of a rear end collision that has affected the rails as they attach to the bumper assembly. Replacing rails seems extreme in this situation.

 

you're wasting your time trying to get a response from a dealer or toyota. Toyota not going to answer because of liability and the dealer for a complete lack of knowledge because if it isn't in there book or computer it can't happen or never existed

 

most areas have places that specialize in frame repair, i'd check with one of them.

 

When is @Rock Lobster any help!?!?! jk

 

In stop and go traffic we were rear ended and forced into the car ahead that was stopped. The accident wasn't even serious enough to engage the air-bags. The front plastic bumper had a small deformation. The back bumper was pivoted down from the inside lower corners on both sides. The Driver side C-Channel rail was torqued slightly on the back-end and the Passenger-side C-Channel rail was slightly buckled and has a small crack on the back-end.

We are wondering about a feasibility of repairing the rails with blacksmith work, rather than full replacement of the rails and all that entails. as suggested by the insurance agent and body shop.

We are looking for what our options are. 1. Wondering if there is a way to fix it that would be cheaper. (We have a list from the insurance agent of the new parts needed for the front and back bumper assemblies). or 2. Sell it to someone as is who would rebuild the back end anyway.

On our Silver Tacoma TRD the 4-wheel drive has never been turned on except once in a muddy parking lot and that was just to make sure it worked after we bought it.

 

What you need is someone looking to build a serious off road rig... Someone that's gonna heavily modify the truck and won't be so concerned with damage title status.

Keep in mind you won't get much

 

Sounds like you need to take it to a frame repair shop. It'll be very difficult to give you sound advice without seeing how bad the frame is.

 

Sliders are welded,frames boxed in but you might want to see someone who specializes in frames.Not a dealership.They probably will be of no help.

 

Search on here for threads relating to rear end collisions with frame damage, many times once a body shop gets a good look at all the damage, they end up getting written off. Cracked, wrinkled and bent are definite signs of serious frame damage. Add the front end damage and it will surprise you how expensive it is to correct. and you still have diminished value. depending on where your located, you may not have to accept the insurance estimate. Post up more dtails and pics so we can help you better.

 

Here are pictures of the damage to the rear end of the right frame rail. Also included is a picture of the rear end of the truck after the accident. The bed of the truck escaped without a scratch (just a dent on the underside). The bumper, hitch, and frame took the blow.

The body shop said the frame was true from the rear shackle (point of buckling) to the front end of the truck. The only frame twisting and damage was to the rear (aft) of the shackle.

The front end sustained only minor damage to some crumple structure which can be easily replaced.

 

does the bodyshop have access to alldata? its a program that list all oem procedures and how they want things repaired.