2005+ Tacoma Motor Mount Reinforcement

[Flagster]

Has anyone performed any preventative motor mount reinforcement on the 2005 and 2006 Tacomas or any vehicle. I have read a lot about the motor mount failures on the TTORA forum and have seen some repairs done on caved in motor mounts but have not seen any done "pre" failure.
I talked with a fab shop in SoCal who quoted me 700.00 for a strengthening job on my 2005. Wondering if anyone has any opinions or should I just wait for the mounts to fail and hope Toyota buys back these crappy frames.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The reinforcements shown in your second picture shouldn't cost anywhere near $700 to fabricate and install... $200-300 would be far more in line, worst case scenario. I'm not sitting in front of an 05/06 right now (just had one in the shop today for a bumper/winch install), is there something I'm missing in regards to accessability to the bottom of the mounts, ie would you have to remove the front diff to acess them cleanly?

 

[robert]

If I recall correctly from the TTORA forum, they had to fabricate those and then push the motor back into place to weld them in and it's tight but not impossible. That said, I agree, the brackets shouldn't cost that much. I've been hoping that someone would use their template to make extras and sell them but so far I haven't found any.

The issue supposedly only involves early 2005 trucks where the weld did not penetrate deeply enough. Yes, I have an early 2005.

 

[keezer37]

On first look, it doesn't seem like it would be too hard to make your own template and take it and your truck to a weld shop.
For little more than $700 you can get your own Millermatic 110V and weld up to 3/16 yourself.

I don't visit TTORA anymore but, my only other question would be is this damage more prevalent amongst individuals that tend to "get air" under their vehicles.

Early '05 now in the rustbelt.

 

[RU55ELL]

From what I understood, there really wasn't a rhyme or reason for the cracking as far as how the truck was treated. There were guys that jumped the trucks with no problem as well as those that babied the truck and got caving. I checked mine a couple weeks ago and have no signs of cracking or caving.

 

[Flagster]

The reinforcements shown in your second picture shouldn't cost anywhere near $700 to fabricate and install... $200-300 would be far more in line, worst case scenario. I'm not sitting in front of an 05/06 right now (just had one in the shop today for a bumper/winch install), is there something I'm missing in regards to accessability to the bottom of the mounts, ie would you have to remove the front diff to acess them cleanly?

I was thinking the same thing. The repairs quoted in the TTORA forum were also for around 700.00 but this was for failed mounts that had be "pulled" out of the frame. I am assuming there was much more prep work for these. I wish I had welding experience as I would tackle what seems like a fairly straightforward job after cutting some templates.
I am contacting some local shops in AZ to see what they would suggest/quote.

As for abuse causing the problems I also thought that jumping the trucks probably contributed but I am still worried as I would like to keep the truck for a while and drive daily on dirt roads to get to my house and working on the rez.

This one looks like the frame had rust accelerator sprayed on it as opposed to any kind of rust prevention.

 

[keezer37]

There is precious little space between the first crossmember and barrel portion of the shaft assemblies. Welding the front side of the mounts would require dropping the front diff. or whatever it would take to rotate the shafts out of the way at a minimum.


Last two Ohio winters. Bought in March '05 in San Diego:

RH side view of mount

LH side view of access between crossmember and axle shaft.

 

[seanito]

I had my mounts reinforced by DMZ Fab, the same shop that built my suspension, bumpers, etc. Tim did a bang up job and mine were pushed in pretty far. The prices mentioned above are in line with what I paid. You could certainly have it done elsewhere for somewhat less but Tim has done a bunch of these repairs so he's knows exactly what he's dealing with and he's a super trustworthy guy with a great reputation. I highly recommend getting in touch if you're thinking about having this job done. you can google search DMZ Fabrication in Corona, CA.

 

[Flagster]

Tim has done a bunch of these repairs so he's knows exactly what he's dealing with and he's a super trustworthy guy with a great reputation.

I would much rather do it at DMZ but it would involve a little more time as it is a seven hour drive for me. Some shops in PHX have quoted me much less...

 

[hansonian]

I remember there being a thread over on tacomaworld.com about this. I want to say some people had there's done for $300-$400. I'm hoping the 07 models don't develop this issue.

 

[neighborjim]

I have a 2005 tacoma 2wd, 4door this was the wifes truck and I have a problem with the drivers side motormount. It is droping inside the frame, it is cracked on the front side of the mount. She noticed it because the fan was hitting the shroud. Any fixes or info would be a great help, toyota was no help other than a 10k frame replacment.

 

[Shadow]

^Others have had their frames repaired after the mounts collapsed into the frame. You'll have to do some research to find a good shop to do this.

The problem can't be isolated to trucks that have been jumped, sorry. The problem is/was Toyota's bad design in the frame at the motor mounts, which is why the design was quietly changed for 2007 models. There are pictures on other Toyota forums.

I had the mounts on my 2006 reinforced before I had any trouble, as a preventative measure.

The last thing on a 4x4 truck that should break is the frame.

 

[Flagster]

I have a 2005 tacoma 2wd, 4door this was the wifes truck and I have a problem with the drivers side motormount. It is droping inside the frame, it is cracked on the front side of the mount. She noticed it because the fan was hitting the shroud. Any fixes or info would be a great help, toyota was no help other than a 10k frame replacment.

I would contact tim@dmzfab.com...I am hoping to set up a time this fall to have mine reinforced before they collapse but my understanding is that they have done quite a few that have already pushed into the frame...

 

[nucktaco]

if enough people make a stink about this im sure toyota would cover replacing/reinforcing the motor mounts...

has anyone tried contacting toyota canada/toyota usa rather than just trying the stealership? Im going to the toyota plant on thursday for a tour so ill ask and see what they say...

edit: well just as i thought they wouldnt tell me anything other that "we've never heard of any issues".

 

[Dave Bennett]

The issue supposedly only involves early 2005 trucks where the weld did not penetrate deeply enough. Yes, I have an early 2005.

I have an EARLY 2005 and just inspected mine, they look rock solid and my truck has been airborne once or twice

Not all 05's had this issue, just some.