Rusted Frame

Ouch not cheap

 

Mine still has the sticker on it. That's where I got my info.

 

That makes sense. Finding someone at Toyota that understands this warranty isn't easy.

 

Since those rear shackles are so brittle, what would you guys think it would cost me to replace those

 

I was going to suggest that you sell it. Too much hassle IMO to try to repair. I read your post saying you have about 12k into it, no way you'll get that back...I dont know man, maybe part it out and then you can recoup your investment. Then shop for another solid truck.
Good luck.

 

@tacomainthesun

https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/parts/2003/Toyota/Tacoma/Base/?siteid=214329&vehicleid=457853&section=BODY HARDWARE&group=FRAME&subgroup=&component=&searchText=&startRow=21&maxRow=10

BODY HARDWARE / FRAME / FRAME & COMPONENTS / Frame assy
5100104320 - Frame assy
4WD, 3.4 liter, extended cab

MSRP Core ? Online Price
$5,487.47 $0.00 $4,024.82
View Part Diagram -- Item #1


What's odd is, that price is for your model truck. I can look up my 95, ext cab 4x4 and the price is only $2800.

 

I think I’ll end up contacting the welder and go from there. The more I think about it the more I don’t want to give up my Tacoma.

 

If you know the rest of your truck is solid I would not "trade" it for other Tacoma with unknown history, just because it seems to have better frame. You know the history of your truck, you know what is good, what needs attention. Buying 15+ years old truck is always a big gamble especially when there are so many "bad people" who prey on high demand and try to "of-load" their problems to other.

If you have ability to get cheap labor, swapping a frame for new (like from camelbacktoyota) or south-west used one on the long run would have better financial outcome than buying someone else's problems. The 10 grands price tag on a frame swap is if it was performed by a dealer on a warranty work paid by Toyota (parts price is MSRP and labor is dealer's standard rate). Smaller shops (or friends) can do it for less, and you will be buying parts with significant discount.

 

Do you have more pictures? Interior? How many miles on it ?

 

Talk to your welder after he has inspected the truck

Then you will have a better idea of what needs done and how expensive it will be

Then you can decide on your game plan

 

The history of my Tacoma is sadly quite shady, although I don’t think the previous owner took care of it

 

Previous owner ? Or owners? If only one before you i will tend to say average to good care (except rust) If 4 or more then you’re rigth, kind of gamble to shady... who knows ...

 

The report when I bought it said one owner, private use not fleet but has auction history

 

Drive it to the local dealership and trade it in towards something else. If your frame is that bad, a patch where there's a hole is just a band-aid on a broken leg. If something vital (like a leaf shackle mount, control arm mount, etc) snaps off and you cause an accident, that's a whole mess you don't want to be a part of. Plus there's always the risk to yourself; a truck with that sort of structural problems isn't something you should be driving around.

 

Not My taco! Well at least I have some options. It’ll all depend on what my welder says. Thanks for the advice guys

 

How would they even fix those rear shackles?

 

New shackle kits from Toyota Repair frame as needed .

You really don`t know till your under the Truck up close and in person just what your dealing with.

If your welder is good he can explain just what your Tacoma needs done.

 

Solid advise. If you decide a Welder to patch your broken areas with the autorust.com parts and declare war to rust then check eastwood products to do inside and out treatment.

 

Dang my bank account is sad now. I’d like to get it to the point where I could off-road again but as of now it’s barely streetable

 

Not sure what you guys do for a living but most of my money is tied up in the Tacoma