Frame Rot!! Is this the end?

You made me to do this

I had everything but no activation energy to get it done. Saw your post last night and ended up doing this today.
 

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amalik said:
Frame rot aside, I think this is the first question I've ever seen [MENTION=10169]TheDurk[/MENTION] ask in my few years as a member here.
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Literally the only reason I clicked on this thread was because I couldn't believe [MENTION=10169]TheDurk[/MENTION] was asking a question. I had to see what it was!

Durk, this totally sucks that your frame rot is that bad, but I am interested to see your write up!
 
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Don't forget that POR15 is NOT a topcoat. It is highly susceptible to breaking down when exposed to UV. It works well as a rust converter, not as a paint.

:ranger:
 
I'm surprised the gas tank side broke off first. You didn't notice any decay on the other side? Good luck with the frame swap. I would've had a pretty good hookup on a weld job if you chose that route.
 
T4R2014 said:
I'm surprised the gas tank side broke off first. You didn't notice any decay on the other side? Good luck with the frame swap. I would've had a pretty good hookup on a weld job if you chose that route.
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There is definitely decay on the passenger side once you look closely. The welds are cracking slightly and the floor of the frame is gone where it is covered by the bracket. I think the side towards the center of the road gets more salt and that's why it went first.
 
Interesting, I had some minimal rot on passenger side which is now fixed. I attributed it to the exhaust temp changes causing moisture and brine. I have inspected the gas tank side twice a year but have not found the same decay. It's difficult to really inspect the driver's side thoughly however. Up here in the GWN, I rust proof annually but it still rusts like crazy even with weekly underwashes in the winter.

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk
 
Interesting. Normally, it's the passenger side the goes first. Oil or Fluidfilm the piss out of your new frame once you're done! Nothing works as well as that. The more greasy stuff under the truck the better.
 
kolelt said:
So exactly what is ur goal. As I. What steps and products
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Inside the new (to me) frame, Eastwood Internal Frame Coating. On the outside of the frame, wire wheel first, then POR15 cleaner then metal prep then the POR15. Eastwood chassis black for topcoat(s). Some kind of bedliner on the underbody while the frame is out. Still thinking about the diff, which is solid but has a lot of rust. Maybe Eastwood Rust Encapsulator and then more chassis black.
 
Bummer dude. You're going to need much more than the frame, start stocking up on misc. nuts, bolts, exhaust gaskets, brake lines, etc. if your frame is that rotted, nothing is going to want to come off of it. I briefly thought about leaving Infiniti and moving to wrench at Toyota, and saw some guys doing a recall frame replacement. I think it pays them over 40hrs and they basically have to replace anything that doesn't want to come off, or breaks. If you're not already, get familiar with using a torch. I'm pretty impressed you're brave enough to tackle it without a lift.

Edit; I'm SO glad I no longer live in a salt state!
 
You know, Singtoe put in a v8 while he had his body off.

Good luck with the swap. I'm really really really glad you'll be sticking around. I've learned so much from your posts and your always polite and helpful. Thank you for that.
 
I'm looking forward to seeing how this project unfolds.

I have to ask though- wouldn't it take less time and $ to just buy a rust free truck, take a few days to haul/drive it home and put all of the good parts from your truck on the one you bought?
 
GangsterOfLove said:
I'm looking forward to seeing how this project unfolds.

I have to ask though- wouldn't it take less time and $ to just buy a rust free truck, take a few days to haul/drive it home and put all of the good parts from your truck on the one you bought?
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My cash estimate for the frame swap, not counting extra maintenance like fuel pump and BJs I might have to do to a new rig, is about $1000 for a truck that has been maintained only by me since Day 1. Frame was an even $600. You never really know what goes on in a new truck, and I would only want a '99 5-speed. How easy to find one of those, let alone in my favorite color, for less than a $1000? I'm retired from a desk job, I don't think of wrenching as work.
 
TheDurk said:
My cash estimate for the frame swap, not counting extra maintenance like fuel pump and BJs I might have to do to a new rig, is about $1000 for a truck that has been maintained only by me since Day 1. Frame was an even $600. You never really know what goes on in a new truck, and I would only want a '99 5-speed. How easy to find one of those, let alone in my favorite color, for less than a $1000? I'm retired from a desk job, I don't think of wrenching as work.
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Yes to all of that and then there's a sentimental value to YOUR truck also. I'd go to pretty extreme lengths to keep my truck on the road, and only when they don't work consider getting a new to me 3rd gen.
 
TheDurk said:
My cash estimate for the frame swap, not counting extra maintenance like fuel pump and BJs I might have to do to a new rig, is about $1000 for a truck that has been maintained only by me since Day 1. Frame was an even $600. You never really know what goes on in a new truck, and I would only want a '99 5-speed. How easy to find one of those, let alone in my favorite color, for less than a $1000? I'm retired from a desk job, I don't think of wrenching as work.
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I'm sure you're correct, and if you enjoy wrenching and have the time I get why you're doing it. Blows my mind, but so does half the stuff people on this board do to their trucks.

So when you say you bought a frame, is it only a frame? No suspension or anything - just a frame? Is it new?

Will you be taking any special steps to add additional rust proofing as you go?
 
Unner said:
Yes to all of that and then there's a sentimental value to YOUR truck also. I'd go to pretty extreme lengths to keep my truck on the road, and only when they don't work consider getting a new to me 3rd gen.
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I agree with this totally as I owned my '97 5 speed from just less than 1km on the ODO....I think I read that TheDurk is the original owner also. As it's still my DD in the rust belt, it ain't cheap or easy to keep it going but I will until it or I drop.
 
Way to go TheDurk!

I'd highly suggest grease/oil treating your frame after you have done your POR15/topcoat.

Keep up updated if you can.
 
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