Replacing a 'support sub-assembly suspension arm'

Hello,

The front 'spring brackets' on my 2004 are in very poor shape. Scary condition even. A lot of scaly rust and considering its job that is a concern. Courtesy of Partsouq I am referencing the marked part in the image below, part ID 51502.


I have two questions:

1. How are these brackets secured to the frame? I am guessing they are either riveted or welded, or both?
2. The part number for my Tacoma is 5150235080. From what I can tell this is no longer available. Though the amayama site may have one. They are checking to confirm. However the 4Runner and Hilux Surf have, what I think, have a similar part of 5150235100. Can this other part be used as a replacement? The problem I'm having is that I cannot get a picture of the actual parts to be able to compare them.

Thanks for any help!

Jim

 

I am a little unsure if you have a 5 or 6 lug, but the response would be fairly the same. You'd likely have to find a donor frame to get one of these from at this point. It would a pretty extensive repair as they are welded to the frame. A member with a 5 lug has recently undertaken the same process. He got a whole donor truck. Pulled the motors on both, and had a welder/fabricator cut the donor spring perch off, and install it on the other frame. Depending on the condition of the rest of the frame and components, it might be easier to find a complete donor frame and go from there, or depending on what's left of your current one, get a good welder to reinforce it.

 

If your vehicle has 6 lugs (per wheel), then check this out -

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-coilbucket-gussets.717465/

Due to the limited space to work with, I'll suggest you find a good fabricator, or pull the motor to allow ample clearance.

 

Andy,

It's a 6-lug. My plan was to get a frame out West and swap it over, fixing and replacing as I go. That still seems to be the most logical choice. Well not really 'logical' in that most non-Tacoma folk think we're all crazy for going stuff like this to a ~20 YO truck. The frame was undercoated by Toyota during the recall (not replaced) so I am only assuming the rest of it is a mess too. Thanks for the reply.

 

Yeah that looks like a neat upgrade. Unfortunately mine is so deteriorated that I don't think there would be a look of good steel to weld to. Hence my question if it was riveted or welded. I couldn't tell.

I think a left coast frame is my best bet. I need to get on that soon. Thanks for the reply.

 

So question #1 they are welded. For #2 the 3rd gen 4Runner part is not compatible with the Tacoma. Mounting fitment is a little different and the UCA as at a different angle.

No dice.

Jim

 

To do this job correct you really need to pull the engine.

The brackets themselves are easy to make .

For someone like me who has been doing this work 30 plus years.

The cost of steel these days I don`t know but it was cheaper to build a new frame then buy a frame and pay shipping from the southwest . I would look in Texas and New Mexico for a used frame. if that is still the plan.

Good Luck !!