I currently own 7 3rd gens with 2 of which are parts. Along with an 02 Camry, 07, Sienna Van, 2010 sienna Van, 09 Tocuma and 2 classic cars. Been working on Toyota's since the early 90's used to have a fleet of 80's pickups for parts and 3 road rides. So more of a hobby mechanic then anything. Graduated college as an Electrical Engineer and work with computers these days.

I use my rigs (2 only at a time on the road) as DD and work rides. I mostly keep mine mostly stock and focus on frame repairs and body repairs and maintenance more then anything else. [I do enjoy seeing other folks rigs and the mods they have done ;-) ]

Living in the rust belt, I been experimenting and improving on my repairs on frames and chassis. One of the reasons I choose the 4 runners was to learn how to weld a lot better. Along with them being Toyota Trucks that are SUVs and the 3rd Gens are my favorite.

So by contributing on this forum and sharing what I have learned over the years, along with others sharing what they have as well with me. We can all benefit from this community of owners.

So my Builds photos will mostly be frame and chassis repairs and those sorts of things. I will help others and will be active in this forum.

So do anyone out there want to see my frame repairs??

P.S. As I have a fleet of 3rd Gens. I am always looking for parts. I would rather buy the parts from other 3rd Gen owners then southern Junkyards..


So PM me if your parting one out especially the parts that rot out in the rust belt. You never know what I am after at any given time As I work 1 or 2
at time restoring them to DD status.

From one northeasterner to another.......Bring it on!!

+1

lms

This was what my passenger side front arch looked like when I started the repair. :[

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Stage 1: So Like a stated before, I cut the bottoms out of the frame and place my patching on the inside of the frames, The super bad areas get cut out. The plates and frame itself get painted as well during the process..

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Phase 2 is always getting the plates back in to give the frame back strength. I paint them then weld them in and paint over again. I will drill holes through the frame and bolt the plates into place before welding then after all welded in, I weld the holes shut. I also cut windows into the frame to weld the plates on the top and on areas where plates meet. This way, everything is one piece and strong. On this particular area. I sealed the frame up because I drove the vehicle for 8 months before doing phase 3.

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+1

I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about the Eastwood internal coating. What would you recommend instead?


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Yes I was quite surprised myself when I opened that arch back up a year later and saw rust. I would use fluid film inside the frame as it is non toxic creeps everywhere. Other folks have used mineral oil or other oils. The main ingredient in fluid film is lanolin the same substance that sheeps wool repel water. It never fully dries though. So you probably have to coat your wheel well areas yearly as these areas get power washed and sand blasted just driving in the rain. After I done fixing the rig or areas I paint and coat everything with fluid film. :]

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I've been welding frames like that on toyotas, damn

Have any photos?? I always love to see patching.

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I don't have any pictures but I did not patch, I changed parts of the frames.
In east KY.

Nice looks good man!

I use both cans and I buy the fluid film by the 5 gallon bucket and spray it with my air compressor and gun kit I bought from Amazon. Once everything's coated really well. I head for the dirt dusty roads the dust will actually seal the steel off so oxygen cant get to it.

LMS... how bad was your frame? What areas were patched?

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Planning on applying Fluid Film after I remove some heavy surface rust from various areas of the frame and undercarriage.
Can you provide a link to the spray gun kit you purchased from Amazon.
Would like to go that route since I have access to air compressor as well.