I got bad news about my 02 SR5...need advice

[Newbie-But-Learnin]

I went in to have the brakes checked and when they lifted it up to do a full inspection, the frame had nearly rotted all the way through. It's still in tact, but for what I'll need to use it for this summer, it's not safe. It's a 2002 SR5 Automatic 4wd with 211,000 miles on it. Is it worth trying to sell? Should I part it out? Because it has so many miles, I don't think I want to pay to have the frame fixed and it's far beyond my capabilities to do anything like that.

Here is a picture of her. I nearly cried when they showed me the rotting frame!

 

[Bijan]

I went in to have the brakes checked and when they lifted it up to do a full inspection, the frame had nearly rotted all the way through. It's still in tact, but for what I'll need to use it for this summer, it's not safe. It's a 2002 SR5 Automatic 4wd with 211,000 miles on it. Is it worth trying to sell? Should I part it out? Because it has so many miles, I don't think I want to pay to have the frame fixed and it's far beyond my capabilities to do anything like that.

Here is a picture of her. I nearly cried when they showed me the rotting frame!

Lets see pics of underneath.
If it's severely rotten...you may want to think about parting it out. If it's salvageable - save it.


Dibs on roof rack cross bars!

 

[Newbie-But-Learnin]

Lets see pics of underneath.
If it's severely rotten...you may want to think about parting it out. If it's salvageable - save it.


Dibs on roof rack cross bars!

If I part it out, I got you on the roof rack cross bars! I didn't take any pictures when they had it lifted. I should have, but I was too busy being sad. If I get a chance, I'll crawl under and try and snap some pics, but it looked pretty severe.

 

[Dephcon]

You can try some patching it up, depending on where its rusted out and how much good material there is to work with.

 

[Newbie-But-Learnin]

Here are some pics of the frame on the back passenger side. The same rot is happening on the driver's side, but I couldn't get any good pictures. The rot goes along the entire side on the inside. I pressed around under there and nearly broke through with just my finger pressure. I'm probably gonna not attempt to save it.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

If only there was a way to ship frames. I have one from a 99 4wd, not a spot of rust on the entire thing.

Your truck looks nice other than the frame so that's a shame.

 

[Newbie-But-Learnin]

If only there was a way to ship frames. I have one from a 99 4wd, not a spot of rust on the entire thing.

Your truck looks nice other than the frame so that's a shame.

It is a nice truck. Other than the rusted e-brake, it's working really well. I just started cleaning it up too when I stole it from my brother. Once I get something else to drive, I'll start parting it out.

 

[jstim]

If you're going to buy something else it'd be worth going and getting the frame from COB

 

['01T4R]

Side note...what did you paint your bumper with? Assuming it was chrome before the paint???

 

[Rock_Rat]

I would try sell as is. If you could get $5000 or so you've done fantastic. I would be happy with $3500 with the condition of the frame. Hate to say it but I think your best bet is to cut your losses.

If you live in a neighborhood without CCR's, and have the ability to part a vehicle out, then that's the second route you could go. Keep in mind you're still looking at a lot of work and your three high value items are your engine, tranny and interior. For the most part, once they're gone you're looking at piddly stuff here and there.

It kills me to see these gorgeous rigs in the rust belt knowing the additional amount of work it takes for you to maintain them. Really sorry for your pain.

 

[Rock_Rat]

If you're going to buy something else it'd be worth going and getting the frame from COB

That's a long haul for a frame. Iowa to Cali and back. Yikes. It would be easier to fly out to cali or anywhere on the west coast or south of Kansas and pick one up and drive it back. Even if it wasn't in good shape he could still swap all the good stuff over. It wouldn't even have to be a low mileage motor.

 

[mizzouxc]

Oh man, I'm so sorry. You have a nice looking rig. You must be devastated. I would be.

 

[Newbie-But-Learnin]

If you're going to buy something else it'd be worth going and getting the frame from COB

Well, to be honest, it's not a terrible idea, but I don't really have the time and I won't be buying something else. I'll be borrowing a friends second car for the meantime. Who knew getting a master's degree would consume my time and leave my wallet empty?

Side note...what did you paint your bumper with? Assuming it was chrome before the paint???

It's just plastidip. It was chrome before. The chrome was in great condition too, I just wanted to black out most of it. Some of it was purely out of curiosity, lol.

I would try sell as is. If you could get $5000 or so you've done fantastic. I would be happy with $3500 with the condition of the frame. Hate to say it but I think your best bet is to cut your losses.

If you live in a neighborhood without CCR's, and have the ability to part a vehicle out, then that's the second route you could go. Keep in mind you're still looking at a lot of work and your three high value items are your engine, tranny and interior. For the most part, once they're gone you're looking at piddly stuff here and there.

It kills me to see these gorgeous rigs in the rust belt knowing the additional amount of work it takes for you to maintain them. Really sorry for your pain.

I think you're right. I don't know that I want to go through the headache of parting it out. Thanks for the ideas on pricing.

And it really is a shame. My brother had it up in Minnesota, parked on the street... while I was in Chicago and didn't need a car, nor want to drive the truck in the city. He is notorious for not caring for things lol or doing the work to keep it in good shape.

 

['01T4R]

It's just plastidip. It was chrome before. The chrome was in great condition too, I just wanted to black out most of it. Some of it was purely out of curiosity, lol.

Does it seem like it'll hold up? Gotta do some rust work on my chrome, was gonna try the plasti dip too...you do anything for prep work??

 

[Newbie-But-Learnin]

Oh man, I'm so sorry. You have a nice looking rig. You must be devastated. I would be.

Thanks. I've owned 3 vehicles and this is the first one that I really enjoyed and actually worked on myself. And I only just got started on modifying it!!

Son of a gun.

 

[Newbie-But-Learnin]

Does it seem like it'll hold up? Gotta do some rust work on my chrome, was gonna try the plasti dip too...you do anything for prep work??

I did the rims about two months ago and they've been through a few fairly intense washes and held up. Other than trying to get most of the rust out and cleaning the bumped before spraying it (I used an alcohol/water mix) I didn't do anything special.

It looks like it will hold up. I think I put 5 coats on total. I'm sure you probably know already, but in my experience the most significant part of spraying it was the temperature of the can. I tried the first coat when it was like 45 out and it didn't go well. But I was also just impatient and didn't research or know what I was doing.

 

['01T4R]

I did the rims about two months ago and they've been through a few fairly intense washes and held up. Other than trying to get most of the rust out and cleaning the bumped before spraying it (I used an alcohol/water mix) I didn't do anything special.

It looks like it will hold up. I think I put 5 coats on total. I'm sure you probably know already, but in my experience the most significant part of spraying it was the temperature of the can. I tried the first coat when it was like 45 out and it didn't go well. But I was also just impatient and didn't research or know what I was doing.

Ive been fighting the urge to pull mine off simply because of the temp outside lol...it'll be a summer project.

 

[Newbie-But-Learnin]

Ive been fighting the urge to pull mine off simply because of the temp outside lol...it'll be a summer project.

I feel your pain lol . I installed my amp and subwoofer and backup lights when it was just above freezing. I just got too excited.

 

[thegipper]

Man that sucks, unfortunately I have to agree with the others, that frame is beyond saving. It would probably be cheaper and easier to just find a different frame. Seeing how bad your is (yet not failing yet) gives me a TON of confidence in mine. I have some rust but no where near that, you can hit mine with a hammer and it is still solid. I still plan on addressing the rust in time once I know the tranny is going to survive (pink milk shake about 6k miles ago).

Good luck!

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[Newbie-But-Learnin]

Man that sucks, unfortunately I have to agree with the others, that frame is beyond saving. It would probably be cheaper and easier to just find a different frame. Seeing how bad your is (yet not failing yet) gives me a TON of confidence in mine. I have some rust but no where near that, you can hit mine with a hammer and it is still solid. I still plan on addressing the rust in time once I know the tranny is going to survive (pink milk shake about 6k miles ago).

Good luck!

Thanks man. I'm kinda surprised it hasn't fallen apart yet. I towed a trailer with it about a month ago (not a light trailer either). With the upcoming season I'll be needing to tow the trailer more often which is why I was looking at doing the brakes. But f**k.. lol.. no towing for me.