Tacoma Frame Repair

Thanks! I'm just reading through this now. I think this guy is more man than I to rebuild a frame that wasn't just rusty, but also bent/cracked. It looks like the results speak for themselves though! I'm starting with a body that's in good shape and a frame that looks to be in better shape, so I'm thinking I won't have to do near as much

I got the bed off last night with the help of a friend and some freeze-off, here's some initial pics, I'm going to drop the gas tank and bring it outside on saturday to powerspray off scale/rust on the frame and get it ready for repair and painting

 

Thanks for looking at my thread and responding! You're an inspiration!

I agree part of the process is going to include getting inside the frame as much as I can and make sure to do some type of rust prevention on the inside as well. What I'm thinking is using the Saf-T-Cap product from Autorust.com to weld in the portion on the rear hangers that is the worst hit and then use 1/8" plate on the rest. The Saf-T-Cap product is a bit expensive, but I feel that since its a solid piece, I'll feel most confident that it will hold with my amateur welding rather than piece it together.

I'll definitely be drilling holes in the bottom for future draining as well. For the portions of the frame that are still solid, but rusty, I'm going to hit them with Mar-Hyde and then some type of sealer on top. Any opinions on what's best? I most likely will be driving this truck very rarely in the winters, but it could happen from time-to-time for the hard to resist snow-drifting

 

His build thread the one I posted earlier. @gray223 did some really impressive work.

 

Did not notice you had already posted a link.

 

I can only say this really should not be your first experience at welding!!

In any case good luck

 

Hey OP sorry for you situation your in. Does MI have a safety inspection like NY ? We have a year one here and that would never pass !! Also whoever did inspect it if your state requires it could be in huge trouble for passing it. Did you ever contact the dealer you bought it from ? If so what did they say ? It's alot of work, time, and some money but when you get it done I am sure you will love it and enjoy it for along time. Even after repaired if you drive it in the winter try to get to a carwash with underwash system. Glad there was some great advice from some great guys here and try to keep in mind not everyone on here is an asshole like some on here. It always gets me that some of the dbags will come on here and tell you how wrong you were but offer no advice to help. It must be amazing being so perfect as them and to have never made a wrong choice in life. Good luck man and have some fun doing the repair and learning a new skill.

 

Yeah I didn't do anything on the inside. I figured with the new plates all along the outside, the truck will sray together far longer then I will have it.

I used chassis saver. The stuff is really tuff! When it's dry you can beat on the stuff with a hammer and it's not going to chip or nothing. As long as it's applied correctly and everything. Your frame looks alot cleaner then mine for the most part. Also you can try to blow out all the pieces and dirt in the frame rails. I had a whole pile of crap that was just setting in the frame!