frame damage

[FMFwarrior]

So I recently took a chance on a 2000 SR5 4runner with 175,000 miles that I knew was previously in an accident. A previous owner apparently rear ended someone. The guy I bought it off of bought it from the guy that had wrecked it. His daughter had been driving it in the condition it currently sits for the past 4 years. I of course drove it at all speeds and the thing seems pretty flawless. AC is ice cold. Heat is hot. All electrical items seem to work. However I was a little skeptical after getting underneath and seeing the frame damage. It is right after the bumper and before the motor. I can tell a frame shop had bent it back into place, they just did not do anything to strengthen it. Should I have any worries? My only thought is that it will prevent me from putting on a heavy bumper.

 

[csp]

That's one of the worst frame repairs by a shop I've ever seen. A vertical weld is one of the big no-no's when in comes to welding on a frame.

The torn areas above and below the weld are just stress risers waiting to migrate into either the weld or the HAZ outside of the bead.

 

[Black798]

I agree it is a very bad repair, but I wouldn't be too worried about it since its not in a very critical part of the frame. I would suggest getting some 1/4 inch plate steel and reinforcing it on both sides of the frame to make sure those tears dont spread but make sure that the plate is welded in a scalop rather than vertical.

 

[IBallEngineer]

The worst part of that is they didn't paint it. The only stress on that section of frame is the weight of the front bumper, and some of the core support. That is a crumple zone anyway, so if you get in another accident like the first one it's going to get destroyed. But it would have gotten beat up no matter what. Clean it up real good with a wire wheel, do some cosmetics if you want, paint it so it doesn't keep rusting. I've seen SO much worse on hundreds of cars while managing and owning body shops, this one is tame.

:fishing:

 

[FMFwarrior]

Thanks for the input. I was little leary about it but after driving down the highway I figured everything was good. I only paid $3000 for it. Other than the frame it is an immaculate vehicle. It was a little sluggish but after a tune up it was good to go. Look for a build thread in the future.

 

[thegipper]

I agree with the others, a shity repair job for sure. I would definitely reinforce that damaged area with some 1/4" steel plates on either side. First, grind away the rust and paint it so it doesn't rust anymore.

Other than that, it should be fine...

 

[FMFwarrior]

So I just got it back from a shop to have it looked at and he said he wouldn't put any money into it. but then he said the only frame damage is that in which I pictured. he said it shouldn't pass Virginia state inspection although it has a brand new one (last month). he said the repair to the frame would outweigh the vehicle worth. I would think the repair wouldn't be that difficult...

 

[Nervo19]

Go to a welding shop that repairs farm equipment. They'll probably weld it for you. I think in VA it's visible rust and perforated frame that will flunk you. You only need a small patch.

 

[diverscale]

I'd just remove all the rust, grind down the portion that is teared at the bottom, then weld 1/4 plates all around. I would not stress over that because of the location.

If it was between the front and rear wheels, I'd be more worried but I would still repair with plates/welds + fasteners.

 

[FMFwarrior]

Go to a welding shop that repairs farm equipment. They'll probably weld it for you. I think in VA it's visible rust and perforated frame that will flunk you. You only need a small patch.

I'm taking it to a body shop tomorrow. I'll get a quote and if it is as ridiculous as I assume it will be I think there are a few welders in Hampton Roads that can probably do it.

 

[FMFwarrior]

I'm no expert in frame repair so tell me if this makes sense. The body shop guy said he will just get the rust off, hammer it back into shape and weld the seams where the frame is cracked. All for $300. I asked about welding steel plates for a brace and he warned against it for safety reasons if I was ever in an accident.

 

[jhfleet]

I'm no expert in frame repair so tell me if this makes sense. The body shop guy said he will just get the rust off, hammer it back into shape and weld the seams where the frame is cracked. All for $300. I asked about welding steel plates for a brace and he warned against it for safety reasons if I was ever in an accident.

Makes sense to me. I don't think it would be wise to reinforce a crumple zone. The welder can relieve the crack stress with a couple of drilled holes.

 

[T4R2014]

I'm no expert in frame repair so tell me if this makes sense. The body shop guy said he will just get the rust off, hammer it back into shape and weld the seams where the frame is cracked. All for $300. I asked about welding steel plates for a brace and he warned against it for safety reasons if I was ever in an accident.

He is correct. No reason to weld plates around it. It wasn't designed to have that much steel in that area. It crushes easily for a reason.

 

[Doc2012]

You're all saying 1/4" plate.

Seriously? Mad Max, Death Race? Any one of those movies?

You realize that 1/4" plate is what people use for winch mounts?

Putting 1/4" plate on each side of that frame is OVERKILL. That, and you're not going to get a proper weld. You'll burn through the frame before you get a proper weld on 1/4" frame.




Sent from my PRC-119 using morse code

 

[shahsmerdis]

Makes sense to me. I don't think it would be wise to reinforce a crumple zone. The welder can relieve the crack stress with a couple of drilled holes.

He is correct. No reason to weld plates around it. It wasn't designed to have that much steel in that area. It crushes easily for a reason.

You're all saying 1/4" plate.

Seriously? Mad Max, Death Race? Any one of those movies?

You realize that 1/4" plate is what people use for winch mounts?

Putting 1/4" plate on each side of that frame is OVERKILL. That, and you're not going to get a proper weld. You'll burn through the frame before you get a proper weld on 1/4" frame.

Sent from my PRC-119 using morse code

oh dam you guys are right, never thought of it that way.

 

[FMFwarrior]

You're all saying 1/4" plate.

Seriously? Mad Max

Don't you know that's what we've been waiting for?

BTW. Sucks Camp Lejeune banned wheeling on the tank trails. There are some good ones. You can blame the hillbilly Marines.

 

[Doc2012]

Don't you know that's what we've been waiting for?



BTW. Sucks Camp Lejeune banned wheeling on the tank trails. There are some good ones. You can blame the hillbilly Marines.

I've been here since 2008, and they've been closed since then.

Dumbasses still go out there sometimes. Kinda funny.


Sent from my PRC-119 using morse code

 

[FMFwarrior]

I've been here since 2008, and they've been closed since then.

Dumbasses still go out there sometimes. Kinda funny.

I was out there from 2005-2010. I remember going to use the hobby shop to work on a jeep I had and the shop manager told me I could get a pass to go out there. I think what made them say no more was a guy got his truck stuck on a humvee driver course road. Problem is the road is only there during low tide. High tide came and his truck was under water. I know I've heard of a lot of people losing their rigs on onlsow beach as well.

 

[Dropzone]

Ft. Richardson and Ft. Drum had some great wheeling back in the 90's.

a 1/8 or 3/16's fish plate on one side wouldn't hurt that spot IMO, but to each his own

 

[csp]

You're all saying 1/4" plate.

Seriously? Mad Max, Death Race? Any one of those movies?

Thank you for bringing the plate recommendations back into this stratosphere.