Frame reinforcement brackets

Hey Gents,

I recently purchased a 2004 4wd DC tundra, 250k miles. One owner, Immaculate service records, oil changed every 3k miles, and serviced at Toyota up until I bought it (vin search on Toyota shows timing belt done at 195k).

Truck runs like a top, and upon initial inspection frame didn’t look bad to me. No holes or perforations and rails look solid. However, once I really started digging after purchase (and reading tons more threads) I see that I have the dreaded stiffener “pooch”, where the stiffener has started to delaminate and bulge from the rivets. Looks exactly like this: https://www.tundras.com/threads/frame-bracket-rust.95349/

I plan on wire wheeling the frame, spraying with ospho and coating with POR, followed by liberal amounts of surface shield and send it. How much longer do you all think I have before it’d become a major issue? This truck is primarily a wood/mulch/camping truck and would not be driven in the snow (I have an awd Swedish tank for that). I was quoted by a friend who runs a rust repair shop @ $2k to repair both sides but would prefer to forgo it for as long as I can.
I also found these prefabbed stiffeners but they lack the support of the original stiffeners. https://www.jeffriesmanufacturingll...a-frame-inner-reinforcement-plate-replacement

Thanks guys!

 

I would check with www.autorust.com. Last time I talked to them they were talking about making safe-t-caps for that area. One of our members here cut out the reinforcement and built his own. A lot of work but worth it if you plan to keep it.

 

I found this https://www.rustbuster.com/products...3doLLi8p3dlpZGzcoYNvsUxSTEZDMMnAaArQjEALw_wcB, but it doesn’t look like it replaces the stiffener.

I’ve read the repair threads, but feel a bit intimidated as I’ve never welded before. My dad is a union pipe fitter and said he’d teach me (though has no desire to crawl under 20 yr old trucks lol) so this may be a fine opportunity For me to learn...

 

That looks like the right area for me at least. I'm not sure about the 06; they may have assumed it's similar. I don't think it replaces the stiffner bracket though.

I know www.autorust.com will do the work for you or recommend the closest shop to you that works with their caps.

 

I'm the poster of the original thread. I posted this in September of 2021 and as of now, almost three years later, my rivets have not pulled through.

 

Good to know. Did you coat with POR and fluid film or similar products?

 

No. My truck had the black gunk applied from the frame rust inspection/recall from Toyota. I just left it as is.