Frame Swap (1 Viewer)

[Homeboy99]

I have a 1999 land cruiser with 147k miles on it. It’s been in the Midwest all it’s life and she has some pretty bad frame rust. I’m trying to figure out what to do with it. Has anyone swapped frames? If you have what other things did you run into and have to replace in the process? How much was the total cost of the swap?

 

[plainjanefjc]

Can you still get a new frame? I think it would be better to sell it and buy another vehicle.

 

[3_puppies]

very compromised from the pic above.
my guess is the body is actually helping keep it together
are you still running that on the road?

 

[Manhattan]

I suspect you'd start the frame swap only to realize lots and lots of other parts are also rusted badly... and make the call to abandon the project. Then you're looking at a 6,000 lb. pile of Land Cruiser parts spread out over two bays wondering "Well *$%&@... now what?"

 

[2020 Rocks]

The swap if you are paying someone to do it would probably be north of 10k, just a wild guess. You would be better off finding a rust free 100 series with bad drive train and swap over the engine and transmission, even then, expensive to pay someone else to do. That can be repaired with a lot of welding, up to you if it's worth it. Many trucks when they reach this stage of their life are parted out.

 

[FrankieJoe14]

Just find another one and call this one toast.

I cannot even imagine the hours and hours a frame swap would take

 

[Manhattan]

I cannot even imagine the hours and hours a frame swap would take

... when every single nut, bolt, fastener is that rusted. Wrench to vice grips to torch to drill, repeat.

 

[cwmoser]

Check YouTube. I recall a video showing how Toyota swapped out the frame for a Tacoma recall because of rust.

 

[2020 Rocks]

... when every single nut, bolt, fastener is that rusted. Wrench to vice grips to torch to drill, repeat.

I would consider it though, if maybe I was conceived in the vehicle, or something sentimental like that….

 

[Manhattan]

The Tacoma frame thing is sorta unique. For the most part... just the frame rusted, it was wide spread (thousands of Tacomas) and early in the life of the truck. So the swap was/is comparatively easy and they turned the Frametron 3000 up to 11 to accommodate all those swaps.

 

[NE Snowman]

There’s videos of people doing them on tacos and 4Rs. I’ve come to terms with my salty NE 4R (2uz still purrs at 227k no leaks, maybe they’d help protect it ) and will run it until my mechanic and I feel it’s no longer safe. In the mean time I’ve just been looking for a rust free Hundy to replace it. We’re betting I got about 1-2 years. It’s just not worth the effort/money to try and restore it because we can’t get in the frame rails.

 

[whitec13]

This makes me feel better about my crusty Midwest rig. My frame is rusted but not to that extent. Anything is fixable if you decide it’s worth it. I bought a 97 4Runner with 120k and in immaculate shape, outside of the classic frame rot. I bought a replacement frame portion, treated the frame, welded it in after some chopping out, repainted the frame, and she is still kicking out there. The big plus was I got it for $2500 and sold it for $7800, after $300 in parts. I have one spot on my 00 LC that needs chopped and plated, but it’s more preemptive than imperative.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Regardless of the swap, I would get something on there now to slow things down like POR or similar.

 

[abuck99]

Regardless of the swap, I would get something on there now to slow things down like POR or similar.

LOL that’s quite optimistic

 

[jLB]

I agree with the other posters above, that it would probably be cheaper/easier to find a replacement vehicle.


There’s a thread where @rampantwolf swapped his frame (along with a whole lot of other restoration:

1998 TLC UZJ100 frame off resto build log

So I pulled the motor and tranny today. Back story: Picked up this 98 TLC with 157k miles on CL for $3k last week. Ad said a pulley was stuck and the battery didn't work. The wife wanted it out of the driveway. Turned out to be a frozen alternator. Took off the accessories belt and drove it up...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[OEMGUY0720]

I did it once a few years ago, but with two 80 series. One is an FZ and the other is an HDT. Fun times haha. It’s always the electrical/wiring that needs extra attention.

 

[krice118]

cut your losses and get into a 200 or buy a cleaner 100.