Rust hole

I'm sure this topic has been brought up alot but right after I bought my first Tundra I noticed some bubbling under the undercoat by the transmission mount on the driver side and found a bb sized hole underneath it. I'm honestly really bummed about it and am looking for some advice. I don't have any pictures of it right now but has anyone had success having something like that welded or fixed? I'm going to try getting in touch with Toyota in the long shot chance they can help. I was really hoping to get at least 5 years out of this truck.

 

How big of a hole....etc.....?

Just having a hole means nothing on its own.

If that is the extent of the problem slap a weld over it and forget about it. Its just sheet metal. It welds fine.

Now, if its a hole in the middle of a square foot of rot that is a different story.

 

The hole is about the size of a BB and it come from the inside out. I went in and flaked as much as i could then treated it with Ospho. it seemed to stop about an inch past the transmission cross member.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/early-1st-gen-2000-2003-tundra-frame-replacement-faq.54331/

 

What does the rest of the frame look like? Post some pictures.

 

I'll get some pictures when i got home today.

 

Ok so after looking inside i feel a bit better about the rust hole. The rest of the frame looks good from what i can tell.

These pictures are from the inside on the frames rails by the transmission mount.

 

Squirt some PB Blast up in there and all in those holes and then plunge as much grease as you can after the PB soaks in for a few days.

 

Why is the frame that color? Never seen anything like that.

 

Its very thirsty for some penetrating oil and grease rub. Been long time.

 

That's the color it turned after I sprayed a bunch of ospho in the frame rails.

 

What technique did you use to get it in there?

 

I poured it into a spray bottle and sprayed it into the frame rails start behind the transmission mounts. I also hit all the opening in the frame.

 

Smart move. To Hand Models point, I would put something on it to protect it. It really doesn't look that bad though. I've seen way worse frames.

 

What would y'all recommend? Should I just get a bunch of cans of WD 40 and soak the inside of the frame?

 

No. I wouldn't do that. There are a lot of different products you can use. It's hard to tell in the picture if the frame has anything on it or if it's bare metal. The Oshpo made it hard to tell. I'd probably paint the frame with POR15 and then follow up with a final coat of something that will protect.

You could also try a grease rub. It's been discussed a lot on here if you do a search.

@KarmaKannon what was that neat product you used?

 

What did I use for what? Sorry I've been training and such for two weeks and my brain is getting mushy.

 

To paint your frame. Steel it?

 

Maybe Rust-Oleum rust stopped or something with some cheapo rusto undercoat on the main portion of the frame but it's only maybe 1/8 done. Where I did all the suspension work I used some maybe also rusto brand it was appliance epoxy. Pretty hard stuff. Gives you a good buzz too. I used steel it on my suspension stuff. Also seems like good stuff and also good for a hangover.

 

This stuff is supposed to be pretty good. Since you've taken the time to clean up the inside might as well coat it.
https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-internal-frame-coating-14oz-aerosol.html

 

One thing you might try to help preserve you frame is to plug all open holes in frame (especially around wheel wells) to prevent them from rotting from the inside (sand/salt) If it's a box frame rinse it out twice a year from front and rear.

 

The difficult and most important areas one needs to access are the boxed in part of the frame upfront. Its the overlapping of the frame areas that need rinsing properly (hard to do properly without removing bumper). This is also a difficult area to flood with penetrants like PB Blast.

I’ve melted one of their little red straws into a 90° curve and stuck it up in there to get as best as possible through the box holes shooting up.

I’m considering drilling a few small 1/8” holes every 8” on the top of the frame via engine topside access. The drilled hole will only penetrate the first frame layer. This will allow penetrant to flow down and around that underlying box wrap, then plug fill the holes with grease still allowing future servicing.