Suspect welding

Hey guys, I’m new to the forums. I have a 1999 tacoma Xtra Cab that I purchased maybe a week ago and while under the truck I noticed some very suspicious welding on the frame. Does anyone know what the purpose of these welds are? I have no background in welding and no knowledge but it looks pretty bad. Here are the pictures, they’re located adjacent to each other on the frame of the truck one is under the xtra cab on the driver side and the other right across on the passenger side under the xtra cab. They appear to go all the way around the frame... the truck title is clean

 

That is suspect.. hmmm like they replaced the back 1/2 of the frame. Almost looks like the weld in one picture says something. How's it drive?

 

These frames really like to rust in the cold weather states, so it was more than likely a half assed repair job relating to that.

There are some companies that make reinforcement plates for the frames. I would seriously look into those and have a bona-fide welder do the repairs.

 

Frame was spliced with another I think?

Welds look not great, probably bad stick welding but they will probably hold up...

 

Safety caps maybe? The back half of the frame does look really new. Definetly a rust repair related thing whatever it is.

 

You can even see where someone was wire wheel or sanding the frame - unless you did. Gotta love old vehicles and the stories they tell! Might not want to jump that one

 

I also forgot to mention that I’m currently in the process of sanding down the bad spots on the frame and hitting it with some rust converter, paint, then fluid film

 

Yeah, at first I thought the top pic was a plate, but looking again it just looks like a shitty alignment of a whole rear frame section.

Bet you those are the initials of whatever country bumpkin booger welded that together.

I would honestly not feel comfortable driving that thing. I hope you got a REALLY good deal on it, cause you're going to need a LOT of welding, or better yet a new frame.

Start searching junkyards in hot-dry states for a replacement frame to swap...

 

. I did the sanding/ wheeling still working on it right now actually. Whoever had it prior painted right over all the rust and stuff so I’m trying to fix that so it doesn’t progress

 

In some of the pics you can see the corner of a plate that was welded to the inside. The weld glob you see below and to the left of the hole is a plug weld.

Looks like it was just pieced together with whatever scrap dude had in his shop.

 

I thought reinforcement plates too, but then I saw the pic where the welds go all the way around the outside of the frame where it was

 

It drives really good surprisingly. Very straight but when hitting bumps in the road you really feel them. Come to think of it the rear does sit a little higher than the front...

 

Someone welded 2 frames together and I don't think they knew what they were doing. At the very least they shouldnt have cut them straight. And they should have welded plates over the repair

If you can return it, do it.

If you can't, find an experienced welder and see if they can salvage it. Or find a new frame.



EDIT: Build a tube buggy!

 

Top pic: thought it was a lap joint for a plate, but no. It's just a really shitty alignment of the 2 frame pieces! Not even welded all the way around.

 

Curious to see what the rear alignment numbers are, as to whether or not that axle is straight.

 

They replaced a section of the frame, very poorly. I would see about taking it back. Last thing you want is to inherit someones half-ass job and hit a bump and have a failure on one of those welds.

 

I don’t know how I’m just now realizing this. The truck runs flawlessly, drives straight as an arrow but I am getting a clunk when turning to the right sometimes coming from near the area where the welds are.. man I regret buying this now

 

I don’t think I can take it back, I bought it at a buy here pay here dealer in NC. Looked like a really good truck and ran like one. But this is my first vehicle I ever purchased so I’m guessing I didn’t look hard enough before buying

 

I’m going to have this checked out soon. I’m curious to how this passed inspection...

 

At this point I wouldn't bother. Even if this thing happens to have decent alignment numbers, I'm betting that's purely by accident.

Frame likely could be salvaged, assuming the front isn't just as rusty as what sparked the repair in the first place...

Maybe find the front end of that donor frame, and swap that in, lol...