Wheel Well Rust Repair

Would a M416 trailer bed fit on it? That would be a less expensive expedition style bed than the AT trailer shown in the previous post...

 

Ho Lee Fuk I just gave a way a bed that had a very small rusted area in a floor seam that looked better than this. It had zero rust in the sides.

The beds of these trucks are really prone to rusting in the floor bed seams. If you look under where the floor joins the inner fender Toyota cheaped out and never applied seam sealer they just relied on the undercoat/schultz coating which had gaps exposing where the panels were spot welded together. The weird part is they applied seam sealer to the top only (finish side)

They also rust behind the outsider bedside stay that's centerline with the wheel well as you'll notice in this truck the stay is rotted away. Flares or not this stay gets packed with mud and road piss and just festers

 

Bartmaster, no not exactly. They say the frame was replaced in 2011 so it is not eligible for frame replacement.

I inspected the frame today and it is pretty solid, but the salted roads if the northeast have taken a toll on it. All of the parts underneath show marked compromise.

I’ve been working on the emergency brake. Big problem there not so much corrosion, but they sprayed the undercoating material all over it and that gummed it up so bad.

I’ve got my hands full getting issues resolved due to the salt and the undercoating.

 

Considering a utility bed, but if anyone has a bed that will fit like itchyfeet, I would really like to talk to you.

Thanks again for the ideas and suggestions.

Here’s some pics of my frame I took today.

 

M416 tub might be a good option?

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Not sure of the size, but something from surplus sales like it may work out nicely.

That frame looks like it came from the Titanic, you guys go through a lot of maintenance on your older vehicles back east. We take used cars almost for granted out here.

 

Given the state of the frame IMO that's a goner

 

OnHartung'sRoad.... your observation is consistent with my brother...He flew from Lubbock, TX with me to Philadelphia to pick up this Tacoma... We drove it back to Texas over 2200 miles without a dealer's tag or inspection sticker...and were never stopped...truck ran perfect...I think my luck may be running out though as I contemplate what to do about the rust... we don't have rust on our frames out here in West Texas either...but lots of dust...

 

@Itchyfeet Yee of little faith, that frame is in need of some love but it isn't that bad.

OP, look up a few frame repair threads on here. There is a ton of info on the subject. If you're any good with a grinder and welder you'll be just fine. Just don't let it go untreated for very long.

 

Ho lee chet! I think its seriously time to list it or part it out, I wouldn't want to drive that more than I needed to.

Good luck with it.

 

Sorry about your truck, there’s a nice taco under all that if you are up to the project. If you are still contemplating an alternate bed, maybe one like this? You might find a good one from this site closer to your neck of the woods too.

http://www.govplanet.com/jsp/s/search.ips

Current bid opening price $175:

 

You'll need to scrape off that old undercoat as it is junk (the toyota undercoat was just a bandaid, btw). It has dried and is now cracked and lets moisture and crap get underneath it, trapping it and making the frame rust even faster.

You have to remove it all and remove all the loose rust (power washer and wire brush should do it). Then you'll see the whole extent of rust damage on the frame, giving you a better idea of the situation and what would need repairs. You'll also have to clean the inside of the frame, as it rusts from the inside too

After that, you'll have to treat the frame with a rust killer/converter, then repaint it (optional) and grease it. Even if you are in texas, in a dry warm climate, you should rustproof it both inside and out, to not give rust a chance to worsen and spread further

 

I agree...I still think the truck is worth the effort. We have replaced one fender so far and it is going pretty good.

I might need some coaching on cleaning out the inside of the frame. I’ll do some looking on the forum.

What a tremendous resource. I am very pleased to interact with fellow Tacoma affectionados.

 

So, you're saying that this is a replaced frame? That's not encouraging to anyone with a replaced frame.

I've not seen a bed in that condition around here. Even mine's not that bad. Actually, looks very good in comparison. Don't know what they use on the roads in Philly, but glad they don't use it here. Looking forward to see how this comes out.

 

Here’s where I am at this point

 

I did that same repair panel on mine a few months back. Haven't taken the flare off the other side yet but there's a little bubbling around the flare so I suspect I'll be doing that one too. And fixing spots on the top corners of the windshield, putting on a new driver's fender, a new tailgate, maybe a driver's door, then respraying the whole truck. Project creep at it's best.

I love the comments about it being a total goner. Apparently some people have never lived where they use road salt. I would treat the frame for sure though. Mine got a new one in 2012 and it was already a little rusty on the welds when I got it last summer. Cleaned it all up, painted it all, and fluid filmed the crap out of it inside and out.

 

Are you welding with MIG flux core or stick? That doesn't look like normal 75/25 MIG, and obviously not TIG.

 

It's a welder purchased from Harbor Freight on special. Flux core set on low power and slow feed. Just got started, but the spot welds went good.

 

Props to you for making a go at it.

Hope it works out for you and keep the warping, or burn through down to a minimum. It's hard enough to do body work with the cleaner 75/25 mix MIG on super low settings. I can't imagine attempting it with the much dirtier flux process.

 

Not that familiar with mig welding. I’ll do some research. Thanks for your interest and comments.