Suspect welding

Just incase anyone is curious about what the truck actually looks like here is a picture. The photo is compressed badly for some reason so it is kinda blurry but it gives an idea. Will upload another soon!

 

Everyone from CA commenting on this thread: "AHHHH!!!!!! RUN AWAY!"
Everyone from New England commenting on this thread: "Looks pretty good, I'd run it!"

The welds look ok, there's 1 photo showing rust just to the left of a main weld, check there carefully for a crack, other than that- someone tried to do right, and pretty much got there. I had a D21 that had a New England Patchwork Quilt Frame. Every year I'de weld another plate/L-bracket/section of box in and haul that fucker deep into the woods for another years worth of firewood. Point being: probably fine as is, certainly fine with a little tidying up. And yes, don't jump it.

 

Haha very true, i'm currently in the process of sanding all of that down to bare metal and refinishing. I'll definitely keep an eye out! No plans on doing any serious offroading in this truck. Just road driving, and maybe taking it down some minor trails for deer and fishing holes lol

 

That weld repair is preferable to not repairing it. Typical appearance at the leaf hanger for 1st gens after a decade of road salt (it's the ugly side of a "fully-boxed frame" that no one talks about):



4Runners of same generation made with quality Japanese steel:



Also compare the weld quality to the factory booger welds that Toyota put in...

 

Not the greatest of repairs, but well, it can't be worse than this...



I suggest what the others have said. You cannot undo what was done, but try to reinforce/make it better. Do it yourself if you know how to weld or find a reputable welder

I wonder what the front looks like? It's a shame they put the rear half of a rust-free (?) frame on a rusty front frame. SHould have swapped the whole thing instead

 

I think you've probably got an uphill battle if you go the legal route, probably not worth it to fight, even if you're in the right.

I also think it's salvageable, but I really don't like those butt welds. I think it would be wise to get a good welder look it over and add some fish plates:




https://mechanics.stackexchange.com/a/28669

 

Nice truck, you already bought it so might as well get a better welder to fix it right.

 

That's pretty much all of our's plans. I've had mine 15 years, and don't plan on giving it up. When my son turns 16, he's gunna have to get his own!

Welcome to the club!

 

We call those Gorilla Welds ---- ugly and strong as hell .

 

I'm hoping it last me a while!

 

That's right. Thank u !

 

I could see as it seems to happen now and then people are still clueless about the frame issues .

Never crawling under the truck getting the oil changed at the quicky mart.

The last seller might have had no real clue .

Just keep an eye on things .

To have that gone over your going to need to find someone who is into Toyota`s

The hardest jobs ( most expensive) I have done are always correcting someone else`s poor work.

 

I wonder what it looks like when you put it up on a lift on each side of the weld? Does it move at all? I second taking it to a frame shop or experienced welder/fabricator and getting an opinion at least. Who knows. Maybe without taking it apart you can have some gussets welded in there that would be for a more peace of mind type thing. The pickup looks really great and if you can salvage what you have I'd go for it. I am telling you this now - once you drive a 1st gen for a while no other pickup will give you that thrill And - you will regret ever selling or getting rid of it. Good luck!

 

Looking again there is another piece of Rectangle tubing on the inside of the original frame .

That is what the plug welds are for

That splice is more then Strong enough even with the welds as the are

If you want to check break out the drill