Strengthening 1st generation Tacoma frame

[Toiyabe]

I've got some plates sitting in the sop, TrailGear, and some I've made up for the section between the bed and cab.

Having said that, I haven't put them on yet, mostly because almost every example I have seen of a "bent" frame was people who didn't know what the frames actually look like.
In talking to the big Toyota shops casually, very few admit to seeing any bent frames outside of serious Pismo-jumping/PreRunning trucks.
When I've searched for pics (the internet has everything, after all) I haven't really been able to find any, outside of rear-ended trucks and obvious unsuitable activities.

I'll eventually put them on, but I'm in no hurry.
It can't hurt, after all.

 

[bkg]

Bingo! - moreso on those that race/jump their trucks - Which the frame was not designed to do..

Not true. I've seen dents on trucks that have not been raced/jumped... including my own truck. The frame simply flexes WAY too much - a design that was goaled in softening the ride.

Same issue on the Tundra - It was not hard to watch the frame bend on my 08 crewmax... Just doing a brake stand could visibly display the frame flex.

It's not personal - the frame sucks. It's just a fact.

 

[bkg]

Weren't the 1992-1995 Pickup frames made here, too? I don't know if Dana made them or Toyota made them at NUMMI, but I'm fairly certain the whole truck was made here.

Adding the outside plates is fine. Not as good as fully boxing the frame but OTOH the frame was never designed to be fully boxed and the bigger issue IMHO is that some of them got insufficient rust proofing, which when you box in the frame you are asking for rust to start inside. Since it's tough to coat inside after boxing I might consider having the whole frame dipped and galvanized.

no... Pre Tacoma was a Japanese built vehicle.

 

[Clutch]

Having said that, I haven't put them on yet, mostly because almost every example I have seen of a "bent" frame was people who didn't know what the frames actually look like.
In talking to the big Toyota shops casually, very few admit to seeing any bent frames outside of serious Pismo-jumping/PreRunning trucks.
When I've searched for pics (the internet has everything, after all) I haven't really been able to find any, outside of rear-ended trucks and obvious unsuitable activities.
.

Why I conclude that the Tacoma weak frame is mostly internet lore...sure it will bend if you abuse it. Not unlike the Raptor guys bending their frames when it is pushed hard. Believe Ford's advertising campaign exaggerated what the truck can do.

You'll get some knuckleheads doing this... "Here, hold my beer!"

 

[Clutch]

Not true. I've seen dents on trucks that have not been raced/jumped... including my own truck. The frame simply flexes WAY too much - a design that was goaled in softening the ride.

Same issue on the Tundra - It was not hard to watch the frame bend on my 08 crewmax... Just doing a brake stand could visibly display the frame flex.

It's not personal - the frame sucks. It's just a fact.

frames are supposed to flex.

 

[bkg]

frames are supposed to flex.

According to whom? 30 year old truck technology as your pictures represent?

Compare previous Toyota frames to the 1st and 2nd gen Tacoma's and Tundras - vastly different in both rigidity and flex.

Frames should not flex enough to allow the box to hit the cab, IMHO. When virtually every other MFG went to fully boxed/hydroformed frames, Toyota went to open channel... makes little sense, especially given the rigidity of the Japanese built counterparts.

 

[toylandcruiser]

Not true. I've seen dents on trucks that have not been raced/jumped... including my own truck. The frame simply flexes WAY too much - a design that was goaled in softening the ride.

Same issue on the Tundra - It was not hard to watch the frame bend on my 08 crewmax... Just doing a brake stand could visibly display the frame flex.

It's not personal - the frame sucks. It's just a fact.

You've obviously never seen a semi frame or a Unimog frame. You seem to be the only one that has seen these bent frames.


"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials."
— George Mason, in Debates in Virginia Convention on Ratification of the Constitution, Elliot, Vol. 3, June 16, 1788

 

[toylandcruiser]

Frames are supposed to flex



http://youtu.be/0OxmHJWuy3c


"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials."
— George Mason, in Debates in Virginia Convention on Ratification of the Constitution, Elliot, Vol. 3, June 16, 1788

 

[bkg]

You've obviously never seen a semi frame or a Unimog frame. You seem to be the only one that has seen these bent frames.

Are frame supposed to rust through like the 1st gen Tacoma's and Tundra's? LOLOLOL

Comparing a tractor trailer to a Tacoma - not even close to appropriate. Funny - even Ford makes fun of the Tundra frame (search Youtube).

I've never said anything about "bent frames" - not sure where you've gotten that from.

The Tacoma frame flexes enough to let the box hit the cab. Not sure why people defend that.

I own Two Tacoma's and a 4Runner. All I buy is Toyota - but I am pragmatic enough to admit the limitations and deficiencies of the vehicles I own.

So back to OP's original question... I stand behind the custom boxing plate approach. Welded sliders wouldn't hurt either.

 

[DaveInDenver]

no... Pre Tacoma was a Japanese built vehicle.

No, this is only true up to 1991, at least some of the 1991 to 1995 Pickups were made in the U.S. You can tell where final assembly was by the first two digits of the VIN. JT is Japan while 4N indicates the truck was built at NUMMI in Fremont, CA.

No idea what the total percentage of parts sourced for the U.S.-built Pickups were but by 1990 Toyota was building engines in Kentucky, for example. I don't think Toyota ever built frames at NUMMI so either the frames for the U.S.-made 91/92-95 trucks were made in Japan or outsourced to Dana, that I don't know.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/08/toyota-to-shutter-us-plant-where-tacoma-is-built.html

The NUMMI plant was established in 1984 as a 50/50 joint venture with General Motors. NUMMI began producing a truck, originally called the Hilux, in 1991. Four years later, the Hilux was redesigned and re-named the Tacoma. NUMMI had been producing approximately 163,000 Tacomas a year.

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/19...248189_1_nummi-assembly-plant-fremont-plant/2

Fremont expands

Meanwhile, as GM shutters plant after plant, Fremont expands. Staffing has risen to 4,250 this year, up 1,200 since 1990. Toyota is ramping up production at a $350 million Hilux pickup truck plant it built next to NUMMI. And NUMMI managers expect to add 100 workers at a new bumper-making facility next year.

1990: Toyota announces plans for a $350 million truck assembly facility adjoining the factory. Hilux trucks start production a year later.

 

[toylandcruiser]

Are frame supposed to rust through like the 1st gen Tacoma's and Tundra's? LOLOLOL

Comparing a tractor trailer to a Tacoma - not even close to appropriate. Funny - even Ford makes fun of the Tundra frame (search Youtube).

I've never said anything about "bent frames" - not sure where you've gotten that from.

The Tacoma frame flexes enough to let the box hit the cab. Not sure why people defend that.

I own Two Tacoma's and a 4Runner. All I buy is Toyota - but I am pragmatic enough to admit the limitations and deficiencies of the vehicles I own.

So back to OP's original question... I stand behind the custom boxing plate approach. Welded sliders wouldn't hurt either.

Well the frame rust is not from being a c
Channel schmuck. LOLOLOL. Then why don't you prove it happens all the time. Since it seems to and you're the Only one that seems to say it does. LOLOLOLOL


"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials."
— George Mason, in Debates in Virginia Convention on Ratification of the Constitution, Elliot, Vol. 3, June 16, 1788

 

[DaveInDenver]

Some truck from here on ExPo.

 

[bkg]

No, this is only true up to 1991, at least some of the 1991 to 1995 Pickups were made in the U.S. You can tell where final assembly was by the first two digits of the VIN. JT is Japan while 4N indicates the truck was built at NUMMI in Fremont, CA.

No idea what the total percentage of parts sourced for the U.S.-built Pickups were but by 1990 Toyota was building engines in Kentucky, for example. I don't think Toyota ever built frames at NUMMI so either the frames for the U.S.-made 91/92-95 trucks were made in Japan or outsourced to Dana, that I don't know.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/08/toyota-to-shutter-us-plant-where-tacoma-is-built.html



http://articles.baltimoresun.com/19...248189_1_nummi-assembly-plant-fremont-plant/2

Interesting. Thanks!

 

[bkg]

Well the frame rust is not from being a c
Channel schmuck. LOLOLOL. Then why don't you prove it happens all the time. Since it seems to and you're the Only one that seems to say it does. LOLOLOLOL


"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials."
— George Mason, in Debates in Virginia Convention on Ratification of the Constitution, Elliot, Vol. 3, June 16, 1788

Bing! Is your friend. Don't have to believe me.. Do some searching. Then stop taking this as personally.

 

[toylandcruiser]

Bing! Is your friend. Don't have to believe me.. Do some searching. Then stop taking this as personally.

I'm not taking it personally. It's just a little irritating when I see people that drink the boxed stuff frame kool aid. That's all. Just wish you would post one pic of your truck on here to prove your point.


"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials."
— George Mason, in Debates in Virginia Convention on Ratification of the Constitution, Elliot, Vol. 3, June 16, 1788