rust... what do I do :(

[4RunnerChaos]

I got under my truck today only to notice a substantial hole in my frame. This wasn't there before the winter.... :ybrick::ybrick: so now here's my question... What the heck can I do about this??????
One side of my frame is doing alright, but the other is quite terrible. I know this thread is useless without pics but I'll try to get a couple right now.
I'm in the Midwest so getting a clean frame would be quite a feat...



Completely "if money didn't matter" situation, is it legal to do a tube/boxed hybrid frame? Like running two 2x4 steel beams with tubed front end.?

 

[Colorado buff]

I got under my truck today only to notice a substantial hole in my frame. This wasn't there before the winter.... :ybrick::ybrick: so now here's my question... What the heck can I do about this??????
One side of my frame is doing alright, but the other is quite terrible. I know this thread is useless without pics but I'll try to get a couple right now.
I'm in the Midwest so getting a clean frame would be quite a feat...



Completely "if money didn't matter" situation, is it legal to do a tube/boxed hybrid frame? Like running two 2x4 steel beams with tubed front end.?

As someone that has frame issues. Are your rocker panels rusted. If so, that will cost you $1300 to replace.

If you have removed the rocker panels and your frame underneath has rusted through that will cost you more to cut out the rust and metal shop some new steal to reinforce the frame.

Note: chances are if your one side is shot , there is a good chance that the other side will be badly damaged.

 

[KidVermicious]

I got under my truck today only to notice a substantial hole in my frame. This wasn't there before the winter.... :ybrick::ybrick: so now here's my question... What the heck can I do about this??????
One side of my frame is doing alright, but the other is quite terrible. I know this thread is useless without pics but I'll try to get a couple right now.
I'm in the Midwest so getting a clean frame would be quite a feat...



Completely "if money didn't matter" situation, is it legal to do a tube/boxed hybrid frame? Like running two 2x4 steel beams with tubed front end.?

Sure it's legal, and perfectly safe, as long as it's done right.

But you need to do a wicked thorough inspection, because rust is like cancer, it's never in just one spot. By the time it's eaten through a frame rail, it's probably just as bad or worse in several spots you can't see with a casual glance under the truck. If it's bad enough, getting a cleanish frame to fix and swapping over might be a more economical option, both labor wise and money wise.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Let me guess, right by the passenger side rear lower control arm mount, next to the muffler. Interestingly, I read on here that salt on our frames is bad enough but add heat and it just hastens the process a lot, which explains why that area rusts so much faster than the opposite side. Don't misunderstand though, the other side is also rusting.
I believe water gets caught in that area and doesn't drain out. I still would like to know how people clean out their frame rails, which is something I've never had to do with any other car I've ever owned in the Northeast.
I had mine patch welded. Cost me about $200. I cut out all the rusted metal myself, which wasn't as bad (my control arm mount wasn't compromised) as some of the pictures I've seen on here.

 

[Hesk11dog]

Make sure it is patched by someone that can weld and use a grinder. I have patched a couple holes on my frame and on the mounts and as long as it is done right, you shouldnt have to worry about something actually breaking. inspectors can be nit-picky on frame patch jobs so make sure it is blended and coated when done.

 

[LookAtThatDog]

:worthless

 

[4RunnerChaos]

:worthless

Haha I know I'm sorry I got off the beating path today and got busy. Now I'm at drill and not going to be near the truck until Sunday.
But the bad location is bottom of the frame rail right where the trans cross member ties into the frame.
And yes both sides of my frame have signs of rust, but the drivers side is way worse. The passenger side isn't getting soft yet.
I'm open to the frame swap, but j find that it would be very hard finding even a decent frame anywhere near me. northern Illinois isn't the best place to find clean frames