Frame rust repair

I have some serious rust issues with my 2006 tundra with 156000 miles. One of the brackets for the swaybar is rusted out bad. I took the truck to a frame and axle shop. They quoted me $1300 to repair the frame. This would include fixing all rusted frame components. Not just the swaybar mount. They honestly said that they can't guarantee what the final cost will be until they get into doing the job. I'm really not sure if It's a smart move to try to get it fixed. So far it's been a great truck but I'm worried about how safe it is to drive. Just wondering if any of you 1st gen guys have had they're frames repaired. I do know a guy at work who took his 4runner to this same repair shop and they were able to fix his broken frame.

 

Too bad because the truck still looks good outside. The guy at the shop said " toyota can't build a truck frame to save their life!"

 

Is this truck eligible for the Toyota frame recall? If so, new frame, free.

 

Depends where it's rusted.

Check out autorust.com
https://www.autorust.com/product-category/toyota/tundra-2000-2006/

BTW, the bad frames were made in the US by Dana Corp, who also makes all the notoriously rusty Jeep frames.

 

That seems.... bad.

Bummer man. Might be time to be done with it.

 

I had 2 4runners before this truck. The frame broke in half on the last one I owned. I thought the frame repair deal from Toyota has long since expired.

 

There's no recall and the LSC expired.

It has. I'd take a hammer to the rest of the frame. If that's the only soft area I'd be surprised.

 

It never applied to the '06. Recall was limited to the earlier models only. Us '04-'06 owners (I think '03 was included in recall but always forget) are basically screwed.

 

I've contemplated it at $2K quote, but that's just grinding it down and welding a thicker plate to the bottom of each boxed in frame rail. I'd like to learn how to weld and do it myself though because I'd know it was done right instead of just adding additional metal that will only take x time to rust through again.

 

Yes there's other areas of course but they did say they would fix those as well. Can't afford another car payment so I'm considering it. Guy I know who had them do it to his 4runner said it has lasted 3 years so far.

 

Please show us the work done if you go that route. I'm interested in how good a job they do.

 

will do.

 

Hmm...I thought a forum member here just had their frame replace by Toyota withing the last 5 months or so.

 

It’s definitely worth a visit to the dealership and then a call to Toyota corporate. If you have all the maintenance records that could help as well. Proving that yo cares for the vehicle at scheduled increments and took care of the truck sometimes goes a long way - especially with corporate. I have heard of some people getting somewhere with a generous dealership and / or corporate. Might amount to nothing but worth a shot.

 

Not on an 06. 00-03 are covered under a frame crossmember recall and were covered under the LSC.

04-06 were only covered under the LSC.

 

For that cost, I'd fix it in a heart beat!

 

I mean, to an extent, this is all anyone ever can do. The goal is just to have X exceed your lifespan.

 

Yeah, but they really don't take care of the existing rust so much as grinding it ALL off before applying the new metal. They just cut out the worst part and tack on the new metal so you already have starter rust to work on corroding the new metal.

 

In the end i guess it comes down to what your expectations are in the life span of your vehicle. I'm at 156000, Original transmission, drive train and engine. Very few other repairs besides brakes and SAIS problems. I drool over tundras I see that are a mere 10 yrs old. Just can't afford one.

 

If you can keep the rust at bay, these trucks will last a very long time plus they are easy to work upon unlike a lot of new vehicles today.

 

This worked for me!

 

That's going to be expensive and no guarantee it would last any longer, since welding weakens metal and greatly accelerates rust. Especially when done right on vehicle and no proper anti-rust treatment applied, because of tight corners, etc.

Instead, I'd look for a replacement frame from junk yard, and let the shop work with that frame, leave no rust trace, treat everything thereafter. Even if the rest of the vehicle is in great condition for its age, the "new" frame will probably outlast it.

 

It does look bad. It looks like the manufacturer of those frames does not know what he’s doing a little. You won’t even be able to sell it for a good price in such a state. What do you think about taking it to a repair shop?
I know a good repair shop that deals with such bad cases. I don’t know how much they will charge you, but they are usually ready to take such cases. They also use some software from autoleap.com that helps them get better car parts and for less money. they also are more likely to do this job than the other shops.
If you are interested, DM me, and I will send you the contacts.