First Gen frame interchange

Hi all,

Just purchased an 01 Tundra 4.7L/auto 4wd with 170k on the clock. Got it for a good price knowing full well it needed a frame. I looked into the recall but it looks like one of the PO's took it in years ago and they did that BS coating that obviously didn't work.

Anyway, I did some research on here and see that although the 2000-06 Tundras are the same generation, the 00-02, 03-04, and 05-06 had different body style changes. Does anyone know if the frames changed from year to year?

I found a super clean frame at the junkyard from an 2005 v6 2wd version. Comparing it to mine, all the body mounts, suspension mounts, etc. seem to be identical. The only exception is the crossmember where the trans mounts up 2wd vs 4wd, but that part can be swapped out since it just bolts up. I need to actually take measurements of mine and compare it to the junkyard one, but was hoping someone on here had any experience swapping frames between years.

Thanks!

 

@empty_lord

 

Technically it should bolt up if they’re from the same cab configuration. As you said the crossmember will need to be moved though

 

That's what I was hoping to hear. I still took measurements and will be checking them against the junkyard frame tomorrow. I'm confident it will work but want to make sure

 

I'm assuming that's a big project to change out a frame.

 

Frame replacement procedure from Toyota attached if it is any help to you.

 

Thank you sir! That will definitely help.

 

Some of the parts kits in the Toyota frame replacement instructions are no longer available.

 

As far as I can tell the frames are identical minus the transmission subframe. All my measurements lined up. I'm heading back to the junkyard tomorrow to finish pulling the frame.

Today after I measured everything and it checked out I started getting it ready. Pulled the motor and trans out, steering rack is out, bed and fuel tank are off, rear axle/leafs are out. Just need to get the cab off!

 

Got the 2005 Tundra frame home and in the garage today. It will probably be a few weeks or more but I'll update this thread when it's hopefully all back together.

 

Forgive me if I missed where you said you already planned to do so, but while you got that joker exposed like it is, you may want to shoot the hell out of it with a basic rust protection coating, like the CRC one, although I'm sure @FirstGenVol will probably have other suggestions.

 

Do you have pics of the other truck and the frame?

 

Where are you located? Are those doors from that Access Cab any good? May have to make a pilgrimage...

 

If that was me, I'd pay to have the frame go through a galvanized dip to be worry free in the future. Regardless, still looking forward to seeing the build.

Subscribed.

 

That frame does look really good.

 

Sandblast and spray with cold galvanizing compound, then marine epoxy coat.

 

This is what I'm working with on my truck, the body is super clean it's just the frame that is trash. One of the steering rack mounts actually broke away from the crossmember.

 

I'm in Wilmington, NC. The donor truck is at Cape Fear Pick N Pull here in town. The drivers side front door is pretty messed up but the rest were decent.

 

Damn lucky you didn't wreck due to steering issues.

 

I hadn't mentioned it yet, but yes I fully intent to clean and coat the frame while I have it bare like this. After taxes I paid $350 for the frame, which was a steal.

 

Tell me about it, I didn't actually see that part of it before I drove it home. No wonder the steering felt sloppy and the alignment is way off.

 

That's amazing and kind of gross how clean the body is and how bad the fame is

 

Update, I finally managed to get the body off the frame. It took a few days of work but I managed to do it while leaving the engine and trans in the body still I might have to make a separate thread about how I did it. Definitely seems like less work this way.

 

You're making it look easy, gotta hear this.

 

yea thats how we do them at work.. engine support for the engine and a chain fits some holes in the body that supports the rear of the trans. works great. dont have to touch coolant, a/c, etc

 

Subscribed.

 

We need more pics. We like pics.

 

Talk about a damn money shot. Holy crap! Quality content.

Definitely take more pics. And, honestly, I've got serious shop envy. I'd kill to have a shop space big enough for a 2-post.

The one friend I had nearby with a lift he'd use to work on his p-cars moved to Daytona a few years back. Been back-on-the-floor ever since.

Which reminds me. I need to buy a better quality creeper.

 

Some dudes impress! Nice truck too!

 

i do suggest a ratchet strap in the back of the cab.. it stops the cab from wanting to teeter totter if you bump into it.... it can end bad if it falls