Frame rusted thru - patch weld options near Chicago?

[jerkstore]

So I bought my first 4runner 2 weeks ago. The truck spent its life in Michigan and Chicago. The underside didn't look too bad compared to other trucks i have seen during my search so i went ahead and bought it. It has all the maintenance records and has had a decent life. I just did a tune up (plugs, wires, air and fuel filter), changed out the front sway bar end links today, and my bilstein 4600s arrived in the mail today. I got under it and checked the inside of the frame by the muffler and F***......

Anyone know a shop near Chicago that does patch welding? I definely stuck my finger thru the frame and not thru the holes that are suppose to be there...

 

[Supermoney]

Post some pics, some guys on here can tell you if its even worth it / safe to fix

 

[jerkstore]

It isn't a huge area. It seems pretty solid except right by the muffler. I'll get some pictures in a minute, its dark outside now though so they might not be the best.

 

[jerkstore]

all her glory

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Can't see them. Upload as attachments.

 

[jerkstore]

picture fixed

 

[angus]

Question for all you in the know - does Toyota sell those frame "horns" that the links bolt to?

If so I'd buy those, cut out the rust and patch it and then weld the new pieces in.

 

[snow junky]

Question for all you in the know - does Toyota sell those frame "horns" that the links bolt to?



If so I'd buy those, cut out the rust and patch it and then weld the new pieces in.

this ??

 

[sseuorosal]

I'll get some pictures in a minute, its dark outside now though so they might not be the best.

 

[bufferdan]

Thats not too bad. Completely repairable. Put on a nice muffler while you're at it. Check out the jeep wrangler forums for their rust repairs. It will make you feel better :cheers:

 

[LookAtThatDog]

Get somebody to weld it up before winter. It's not that bad, but I wouldn't wait a year :thumb3:

 

[jerkstore]

I gotta do it in the next month and a half. Going to be doing one of those epic road trips this summer. I don't want to be thinking about it while I am on the road for 2 months.

I found this place:
Marquette Frame & Wheel Alignment - Tires - Chicago, IL - Yelp

I work construction, so I am asking the ironworkers on site if they know anyone that can do it as well.

 

[LookAtThatDog]

If you go to a frame shop they'll do a great job but charge you a great sum of cash. I went to some good ol boys welding place (in indiana) and they said they'd weld mine up for $200, including plasma cutting away the rusty sections. I eventually found a friend of a friend that is retired and builds cars to do it for $50.

 

[angus]

this ??

If those are not crazy expensive I'd buy them.

Welding rusty old metal is a pain and never works out well.

New parts will be the nicest repair and last longer.

 

[farmerjon]

That's a common spot for rust on these rigs because the heat from the muffler gets on the salt and accelerates the process. My frame on my rig has no serious rust except for that spot. Found it, cut the muffler, welded it, and bought a new muffler. Wasn't too bad, I probably paid $150ish for a solid job.

Mine looks worse than yours was. Pretty safe now. Link to specific post and pictures:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-introduction-build-thread-8.html#post1367140

 

[snow junky]

If those are not crazy expensive I'd buy them.



Welding rusty old metal is a pain and never works out well.



New parts will be the nicest repair and last longer.

Check on eBay. They are used so kinda cheap

 

[jerkstore]

If you go to a frame shop they'll do a great job but charge you a great sum of cash. I went to some good ol boys welding place (in indiana) and they said they'd weld mine up for $200, including plasma cutting away the rusty sections. I eventually found a friend of a friend that is retired and builds cars to do it for $50.

Do you remember where that good ol boys welding shop was?

 

[LookAtThatDog]

Do you remember where that good ol boys welding shop was?

I was living in Warsaw, Indiana at the time. It was called fancil (vancil?) welding. There's a million welding places, just call around til you find somebody that has a lift.

some quick googling yields this:

broken frame - needs welding Chicago - Jeep Wrangler Forum

ALSO go on craigslist and search frame welding services:
chicago services "frame welding" - craigslist

 

[apohl17]

OP, take it how you want, but I will tell you straight up- that frame has multiple years of salty winters left in her, yours is one of the better frames I have seen in the SE Wisconsin area. Check out my build thread (first page, link below) for some pics of DIY weld work; one night in the shop and it will be good ( probably better) than new.

Those brackets are available on Toyota parts deal for around $60,but you have no reason to replace yours.

If you ever came up north of the Milwaukee area, I'd fix it for ya on my lift for cheap. :cheers:

 

[Rancho5]

What are those brackets called?