So Toyota is replacing my frame, what should I get done??

Success!!! Toyota is replacing the frame on my 2004 2.7 4WD SR5 Tacoma. I'm going to have to get new suspension, mainly bc I am really looking forward to it and I have some cracks in the leaf springs around the shackle. Was guessing OME light/medium, since I rarely tow, but would appreciate a solid truck off/on-road.

Any other suggestions on replacements I may want to consider?

Thanks a lot for any information you're friendly enough to spare.

Cheers!

 

Congrats on getting approved for a frame, it was my belief that new stock suspension components are part of the replaced items in addition to the frame. Or are you looking to upgrade from stock when they're done?

 

Hrmmm. OK, that would be a good thing to know going into it, lol.

I was just going to take the opportunity to buy some new suspension rather than put the rusty old stuff back on, but if they are offering up new stock suspension, I might want to consider just driving around on that for a while, huh?

 

Toyota put new leaf springs on my truck as part of the frame replacement. Then I added a wheelers heavy duty 3 leaf leaf pack to them for 2" of lift.

 

Does that make for a stiff ride on such a light truck?

 

It isn't substantially stiffer. It feels firmer and rides better in my opinion. I don't like a soft bouncy rear. Firm is better for handling.

 

That's not what Ice Cube says...

jk. but seriously. thanks for the info.

I'm not the most knowledgeable truck person. Did they add those in addition to your stock leafs? Did you do anything different to the front?

 

I wonder if toyota replaces all the mount components too.

Like body mounts, transmission mounts, diff mounts, engine mounts, ect?

 

I added the 3 leaf AAL after I got the truck back from Toyota. It's not a very hard job. I'm sure they would put it on for you though. You might be able to ask them if they are replacing your leafs. It seems like every person's truck gets a few more or a few less parts depending on how bad they are due to rust. I also got new lower control arms.

I have coilovers up front, but you probably don't need to shell out that kind of money for a decent lift.

 

If they are rusted they do. I have all new cam bolts, body bolts, bed bolts, etc. As for engine and tranny mounts, I don't think those are new. The hardware for them is though.

 

Thanks isu2014! And nice build!

Curious, how would you compare adding the 3 leafs to stock leafs to purchasing a new OME leaf set? Or is that basically all OME is as well?

 

The dakar pack is most likely better. Toyota leafs aren't the strongest. But for the money I couldn't justify taking off brand new leafs. Beefing them up has helped carrying capacity a ton. I hauled 1600 pounds easily.

 

The short answer is no. None of the mounts are replaced with a frame job. On very few, have I thought that the cab mounts were needed. Typically included in a frame replacement are the frame, leaf springs, lower control arms, ebrake cables, exhaust hangers, and most of the hardware that holds everything together.

When I replace taco frames, I highly recommend a lot of preventative maintenance items, like gaskets, seals, clutches, new shocks, belts, etc. I do this because I charge around half price on the labor as replacing things when the truck is apart is waaaay easier than normal.

 

It sounds like you are pretty thorough in your evaluations of the condition tho. I would gladly pay a reduced rate for additional items to maintain full structural integrity and not have to worry about anything for a long time. I am hoping they fail and replace my frame the next time its inspected, guess I better have some cash to cover parts not under recall.