Rear Frame Rails Rusted Away! What To Do???

Rhaas

Need Bigger Tires
Hello there. So upon inspection of my Car the other day when the weather was finally nice, I found that the rear frame rails are completely rusted away. And they hold the rear leafs. Idk how it's still holding but it is not safe at all. Idk what to do now. Need Ideas. To me it seems like this can total the car. 20180226_150428-1701x3024.jpg 20180226_150544-1701x3024.jpg 20180226_150507-3024x1701.jpg 20180226_150523-1701x3024.jpg 20180226_150549-1701x3024.jpg 20180226_150449-3024x1701.jpg 20180226_150433-1701x3024.jpg 20180226_150542-1701x3024.jpg 20180226_150510-3024x1701.jpg 20180226_150439-1701x3024.jpg
 

Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
That is definetely a safety issue and could break at any time. I had an old Toyota back in the day that rusted through in a couple spots. That was easily fixed by welding in some anlge iron.

You're in a different boat. That section of frame needs to be replaced. I just had the frame of mine from the front doors up replaced due to a previous accident before I bought it. The new section of frame was not that expensive, $900. Of course, it is labor intensive for the front end as it required pulling the engine. I suspect replacing a section in the rear may be easier. You'll need to drop the axle and detach the body. It may be possible to keep the drive line all connected but a shop may pull the trans out too. They'll need to cut out the bad frame and weld in the new. You'll need to check about reporting requirements for this work. The shop may need to log it to the VIN as a repair similar to a collision which might affect the title. It's possible it would need to be re-issued a salvage title after the repair which may require a special inspection before. Here in Virginia, to get a salvage title it requires an inspection by a special DMV office, I think it costs $200ish and requires scheduling an appointment. All things you need to look into and consider. A good collision shop should be able to answer most of your questions.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
That's probably the worst frame rot I've ever seen. That's the kind of thing that can easily total the truck. @Gen-x is right, it all needs to be cut off and replaced. Although it may be easier to just do a body swap. Find a wrecked truck with a good frame and just move everything around.
 

Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
Good point Prime. A full swap makes putting in a body lift pretty easy too if you want one. May even be able to rust proof the new frame before so there's no issue again.
 

J Everett

Suspension Lift
Founding Member
Location
Houma, LA
HOLY RUSTED METAL, BATMAN! That truck has seen some salt, I'd say. To reiterate what the others have recommended, if you know a good fab shop or are capable of welding yourself (I assume not, or else this post wouldn't be asking for recommendations), then get some box tubing and cut off all the rusted frame back to good metal and replace it all. OR, as was mentioned, find a totalled truck with no frame damage (preferably from a southern state) and swap your body to a good frame. A full bare frame will run you about $200 buck from a Pull-A-part, but will cost you time to strip the frame in the yard, move to your locations and swap all your running gear and body to the frame.
 
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