i noticed a klunking coming from the left rear of my 99 runner over low speed bumps. So, i replaced the sway bar ends. Better, but not gone. So i got under the truck and started banging around. The left rear upper control arm mount was completely rotted away, arm hanging in the breeze. Rust sucks.

Couple questions -

-How dangerous is it driving around like this? Have been doing it unknowingly for a while, handling seems ok.

-Is this even repairable? i'm sure i could find or get a bracket fabbed up, but how much is left to weld to.. Not sure of other options.
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It probably won't exhibit that many driving issues until the control arm on the other side fails. Then the axle will rotate heavily under torque, making it undriveable and likely to break the driveshaft.

It's hard to see what failed in the pic. Was it just the bracket, or did the cross-tube section of the frame it's welded to fail? If the tube is still fairly solid a welder might have some luck welding a new bracket to it. It would be a much bigger task to try to replace that tube though - it goes through the frame on both sides.

Just as a FYI, what general part of the country do you live in? I'm guessing they salt the roads in the winter? Damn the salt!

 

Yah, I'm in New England. Plenty of salt up here. Just this past summer I had a rotted section of the frame repaired w steel plate. Lots of the truck is solid, but rust has certinally set in in spots.

When I get home today I'll have to get back under there to get a better look and snap some more pics. The bracket is totally disintegrated. The steel tube is rusted as well, I'll have to poke at it w a screwdriver to see if it's solid. I'll also have to take a good look at the other control arm...

Anyone know where I can find a replacement bracket? Have tried a couple google searches without much luck.

 

You'll likely have to get a local fabricator to fix it.
I would not drive it in that condition unless it was very slowly and carefully...

 

Your runner has the aids.

Once it gets to showing like that...its too late. Reframe or re runner.


Northeast location I assume? Maryland? looks like Maryland rust...

 

Massachusetts. Yup, she's a great truck. Runs like a top and pulls strong, but is starting to rot away from the inside out. Really starting to think about moving on. Maybe I'll go back to the Tacoma (had one about 5 yrs ago). Was really hoping for a bit more time before I had to do that. Might be stuck fixing this so I can make it to next spring.

 

So any leads on where I can get a bracket?

Or is that something I could just leave to the welding shop?

 

You might be able to get the bracket from the dealer.

I have bought all kind of interesting things like that.

Do you know any good Fabricators in your area??

Thing is doing it right is not cheap If I billed myself at my Shop rates to fix my Stuff I could not afford it.

The frame and repairing that is simple It is the brake and fuel lines that is a royal pain in the butt to repair.

It is the liquid brine you should see what it does to bridges

why they are all being rebuilt.

It is about time for a major failure in one soon.

 

I doubt you will find a decent Tacoma from 95.5 to 2000 up that way. Frames on those were so bad Toyota bought alot of them back and crushed em. From 2001-2003 they replaced frames for the people.

Even around here....a first gen Tacoma popping up on craigslist is pretty rare.

Find a nice 99runner from a more hospitible climate. They are all over my area.
Usually way cheap too.

I love my 99 and will keep it forever. Its a dedicated German shepherd transpot vehicle. Best I ever had in the snow.

You be suprised what you could part that thing for come spring. People eat those motors up for swaps.

I couldnt sell it to someone like it is. Honestly...its probably pretty dangerous actually.

 

Actually HighLux, I was thinking a newer Tacoma, I already had one of the recalled 98's


I don't think I could sell it as is either. I do know a "fabricator" (exhaust guy really, but a good welder that has done some repairs for me). Will have to run it by him. I'll also have to try the dealer for the bracket (thanks).

 

Better pictures would be a big Help

If you want PM me the VIN year model and I can see just what brackets and goodies can be had.

When I go for my Post Halloween visit to my dealer.

There is nothing that can`t be fixed It comes down to the Question is it Cost effective???

Like My 2000 Tacoma with the Life time frame Guarantee that is my life as long as I can keep fixing it.