Frame differences?

[fastolds]

Hello all, my 98 4runner decided to have the RR shock break through the rusty frame and hit the floorboard today.

I am looking at a few options. But I wanted to know if the frames are the same among the 3rd gens? Mine is a 4 cylinder, automatic and 4wd. Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market only shows 1 frame listed on its site for that combination.

Feeling a bit down today about this.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

Why not fix what you have? Ever swap a frame under a 20 year old rusty truck before? Expect literally every bolt to snap and everything that could go wrong will go wrong.

 

[Buckaroo]

Hello all, my 98 4runner decided to have the RR shock break through the rusty frame and hit the floorboard today.

I am looking at a few options. But I wanted to know if the frames are the same among the 3rd gens? Mine is a 4 cylinder, automatic and 4wd. Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market only shows 1 frame listed on its site for that combination.

Feeling a bit down today about this.

I share your pain. The RL shock on my 2000 did the same a month or so ago. I got some advice on here and getting ready to drop the fuel tank and do a good inspection of the spring/shock mount bracket and the left rear axle strut bracket which needs attention.

If things aren't too bad, I am going to weld in new metal on the left strut bracket (did the right 5 years ago) and weld in new spring/shock brackets, Toyota Parts #51302-35040 (Left Side) and 51301-35030 (Right Side). Price $128.47 and $96.48 respectively from Camelback.

Was considering bidding on this '99 from Arizona which appeared to have an amazingly clean frame and keep my current truck for parts but decided to keep patching it up for the moment....the '99 went for $14,600 which was too rich for my blood....

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1999-toyota-4runner-5-2/

Good Luck,

Buckaroo

 

[kolelt]

It’s fixable. I did it to my truck.

 

[TheDurk]

Why not fix what you have? Ever swap a frame under a 20 year old rusty truck before? Expect literally every bolt to snap and everything that could go wrong will go wrong.

I did it and that was not the case. I lost the bolt that holds the e-brake cable to the diff (easy to live without), one M6 that held a cable bracket (easy-out), and one rear shock end (time for new shocks anyway). No big deal. See link in my sig for the whole story. It was not easy, but mainly because I did it without a lift in my driveway on jackstands.

That said, the shock issue is one of the easier rust-outs to fix. If the rest of the frame is solid, I'd go for the fix.

 

[phattyduck]

There may be a difference in the transmission crossmember placement and engine mount locations (depending on engine, transmission and drive options). If you get one for a matching engine, the worst case is welding/moving the transmission crossmember - which should be easy as a bare frame.

-Charlie

 

[fastolds]

I ordered the RR shock mount repair piece. I'll get at least one of my friends who is more accomplished than I with welding to help me through it. The rest of the frame is iffy, but I'll work through that when I'm there. I can't get ahead of all of my junk. I put it off probably too long, and didn't treat my 4runner right for a few years, and this is what you get...

 

[Buckaroo]

Interested in how the job goes as I have this tee'd up for later this month.

Buckaroo