04-11-2023, 11:19 AM
|
#1
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 153
|
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 153
|
Welding frame holes
I should start this by saying I have never as much as touched welding before. Let alone working on an auto frame.
Although I will need to soon, as the frame rail on the right side of my vehicle is corroding into nothingness. And no shop is going to want to touch that frame. This is the biggest issue so far when it comes to bringing this 4runner back to life, and the frame in general is the largest part of the "restoration".
I'm thinking that welding plates over the holes might be the best option. I don't have the money to buy chunks of a frame, or frame caps.
How exactly would one go about that? Where does one start with welding?
Any input is appreciated.
Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
Last edited by Moist; 04-11-2023 at 03:04 PM.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-11-2023, 02:59 PM
|
#2
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 153
|
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 153
|
Should also mention that it's really only this right half of the vehicle that is bad. The rest has rust sure, but, it's only surface and can be knocked off and repainted.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-11-2023, 03:06 PM
|
#3
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Dallas
Posts: 47
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Dallas
Posts: 47
|
In looking at that, not sure if welding plates on top will do much. Unless the bad parts are cut off and treated, it wont stop. It will just keep taking over. Welding something that would work near that body mount / track bar would be challenging unless you just stick weld something in the holes. However, I am not a welder, so I could be 1000% wrong.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-11-2023, 03:18 PM
|
#4
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 153
|
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 153
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JBR14
In looking at that, not sure if welding plates on top will do much. Unless the bad parts are cut off and treated, it wont stop. It will just keep taking over. Welding something that would work near that body mount / track bar would be challenging unless you just stick weld something in the holes. However, I am not a welder, so I could be 1000% wrong.
|
That makes sense. I'm thinking hitting the whole frame with a wire brush on a drill to knock the paint and rust off, then welding the holes/worrisome areas, then repaint the frame and fill the inside of the frame with foam that should dissolve the rust and prevent future rust.
The body mount will definitely be tough.
Thank you for the response!
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-11-2023, 04:25 PM
|
#5
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,190
Real Name: Mike
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,190
Real Name: Mike
|
Those areas of rot are definitely a challenge as you have tough areas to clean and reach. These generally rot from the inside so what you see is the tip of the iceberg so to speak. From what I've seen of the rust I've fixed on mine, a hole the size of a dime ends up being 3" x 6" once you get back to solid metal. You can't weld to metal that is rusted, the rust just blows away. The good thing is the metal, when prepped properly, is pretty easy to weld to. It is about an 1/8" thick so as long as you use similar thickness mild steel you can learn pretty quickly, thin sheet metal is a bit tougher. A decent 110volt wire feed welder with quality welding wire is all it takes. Welding upside down is not so easy though. If this is really something you want to do, buy a welder and practice on metal that is similar thickness. Used welders are fine just don't go too low quality of a brand and pass on stick welders.
My video below gives you an idea of what you are up against on an easier location as it is flat but I still tough as it's upside down. The hole was pretty small when I found it but after some tapping with a pointy hammer I found it was not so small.
03 4Runner Frame Rust Repair! - YouTube
__________________
Mike
03 4runner Limited
1GR-FE V6 w/199k miles
Last edited by MikeinNH67; 04-11-2023 at 04:32 PM.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-11-2023, 06:24 PM
|
#6
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,190
Real Name: Mike
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,190
Real Name: Mike
|
So I looked at this closer and it looks like 2 of the pictures are from the same area. If you really need this car to last a while I would save up for one of the caps below assuming that's the correct one. It will cover both spots.
You really need to check the rest of the frame first though. Front by the tow points, back corners behind the plastic bumper and anywhere else that looks soft. Usually at the bottom of the frame arches.
Mid Frame Section w/ Trailing Arm Mount (ART-202-R) Passenger Side - autorust.com
__________________
Mike
03 4runner Limited
1GR-FE V6 w/199k miles
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-11-2023, 06:26 PM
|
#7
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 482
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 482
|
MikeinNH pretty much covered it. Keep in mind the new plates you weld in will be uncoated on the inside. Once in place, the issue will keep happening unless you live in a dry area or are able to paint the inside of the frame. It will definitely buy you more time with the rig though.
__________________
2007 Sport Edition V8 4WD w/Nav, JBL and rear seat entertainment, Fox 2.5 R/R coilovers, FJC rear springs with Fox 2.0 Pro series shocks, Rear ARB locker, 305/70R17 Ridge Grapplers, DT short headers
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-11-2023, 09:29 PM
|
#8
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: illinois
Posts: 1,609
Real Name: Ron
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: illinois
Posts: 1,609
Real Name: Ron
|
Toyota sells a plastic plug kit for the frame, p/n 04002-07104, for about $25.
I have it and plan on installing them with RTV to weather proof them in place. My frame has two plates welded in below passenger side front door at $1K cost ... not cheap unless you can weld yourself.
__________________
2003 Limited, V8, AWD. 4600 Bils/FJ springs, 1/2" spacer, SPC UCA, Super Pro bushings in front LCA and in all rear control arms, Michelin 265/65R17 LTX/Defenders, stock wheels with homemade center caps, Stop Tech slotted rotors w/Posi Quiet pads all around.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-12-2023, 12:19 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 4,644
Real Name: Skip
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 4,644
Real Name: Skip
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rdruss
Toyota sells a plastic plug kit for the frame, p/n 04002-07104, for about $25.
I have it and plan on installing them with RTV to weather proof them in place. My frame has two plates welded in below passenger side front door at $1K cost ... not cheap unless you can weld yourself.
|
I wonder why if Toyota thought it was a good idea to offer this plug kit, why didn't they just install these plugs from the factory??
It would be a great idea to do it when the frame is still new but after the insides gets filled with water and road salts and all kinds of other debris it would be kinda of a little too late!!!
That being said, that kit is now over $40-$45
__________________
2004 Limited V8
Last edited by AuSeeker; 04-12-2023 at 12:22 AM.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-17-2023, 09:07 PM
|
#10
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Philly, PA
Posts: 423
Real Name: George
|
|
Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Philly, PA
Posts: 423
Real Name: George
|
safeTcap is the way to go. i did my whole passenger side about a year and half ago and then re-coated the end product with rustoleum again. absolutely no issues since. $2200 for the side. i would do the driver side but its getting ready to be sold here soon.
__________________
2005 V8 170k
Doug Thorley Shorties, Magnaflow Cats, Gibson Exhaust
Falken Wildpeak AT3 265/70-17
Gen5 Brake Upgrade
Transmission Fluid Coolant Line Replace
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-18-2023, 03:24 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: S Oregon
Age: 70
Posts: 1,406
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: S Oregon
Age: 70
Posts: 1,406
|
Dealership Parts guy was happy with a Toyota number to look up. He said it was on the East Coast and $60+ to ship to me.
Any other options to try??
__________________
2007 SE V6 Titanium less than 50K
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-18-2023, 06:53 PM
|
#12
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 153
|
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 153
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AuSeeker
I wonder why if Toyota thought it was a good idea to offer this plug kit, why didn't they just install these plugs from the factory??
It would be a great idea to do it when the frame is still new but after the insides gets filled with water and road salts and all kinds of other debris it would be kinda of a little too late!!!
That being said, that kit is now over $40-$45
|
Makes you wonder if maybe toyota knew about the frames beforehand. I'll pick up those frame plugs once I get it together this summer.
Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-19-2023, 04:03 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 1,542
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 1,542
|
sorry...from the few pictures of the body mount/link mount this is on the verge of failing as-is and I'm struggling seeing being able to easily save this... you're certainly not just welding some plates over top of any of this.. you're looking at having to cut out and remake those portions of frame.. honestly.. if this was mine and I wanted to save the rig long term, I would probably be searching for a totaled 4th gen you can swap the frame off of.. hour wise you're probably not far between the amount of work between the 2
__________________
2003 Limited V8 4runner - 37's, Tacoma Front End swap, ARB locked front and rear , LC200 rack swap
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
|