hi guys, joined the forum a few days ago, and have been searching threads for guidance on dealing with a tired old frame
i'm the proud father of an 83 sr5 longbox, this past weekend the wife and I went for a drive to get a load of rocks for the garden, as the weather was bad when we got back home, i didn't get them unloaded and subsequently on my way to work the following day I hear a grinding/squeaking noise just as i'm pulling in. my buddy and i check out the truck and find that there are two cracks on the frame rail, passenger side, one at the top of the 'arc' over the axle and another one about an inch from the box support, both cracks have started from the bottom of the frame and travel about 1/2 way up. my question is this, realizing that a new or newer frame is the proper way (none can be found, even in the wreckers yard, they're popular here) what is the next best way to repair, i do have a mig, and research has indicated that to just weld the cracks (both are vertical) is not going to do much as welds are supposed to be on an angle to the ground or a radius, to relieve stresses, if i understood what i read and this does seem to make sense. so do I still weld up the crack and use some type of reinforcing plate, cut on an angle, and if so how thick should it be?
has a split pipe or tube material ever been welded to a frame to provide strength, or not recommended? i also notice at the rear of the frame, where the bumper mounts, it is starting to rust out, so if a frame can't be found, can one be made and if that's the case, what dimensions of steel would i need to use and how do i connect it to the front half of the frame which seems to be o.k?
sorry for being long winded, but thanx in advance for any help

tinbird

'everyday is a good day, it's just that some are better than others!'

 

Not sure where you are located, but in the PNW, frames come available quite often.
Check this thread, you have to do a little paging through but it gives you an idea of one approach to fixing a frame:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f114/ol-yota-106649/

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f114...frames-121349/

Add your location, general area to your signature--you never know another member may be able to hook you up...good luck

 

hey ocdropzone, thanx for the info and link, as suggested i edited my profile.

 

I have a good frame for a long box .. for sale , i'm in penticton .

 

what kind of money do you want for it? is it a stripped frame?

 

it's in real nice shape .. NO rust holes .. and very solid in the "traditional" rusted areas ..

It's NOT avaliable right now , as I'm using it to build a Trekker back 1/2 ... you can see it in this thread https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f114...-build-109135/


If all goes well .. I should have it ready to go -BARE FRAME- Octoberish' I want $500.00 for it , as it still has factory black in some areas ..not heard of even on california frames ...

I can also have it blasted , and saturated in POR-15 , inside and out .. I'm doing this to my Trekker frame , and was going to do it to this one as well , but in that case , it'll run a G note . just like this one I did .

 

sorry to sound dumb, I'm a nubee. What is por 15?

 

really good paint basically

 

POR-15 is Paint Over Rust. One of the best rust paints going, even though it's quite pricey.

 

BS dude... lol. my frame has NO rust and has factory black ALL OVER IT. not sure what you hear about cali, but it doesnt snow our here in san diego.. lol.