Frame rust worth fixing

[Natgreen]

The right hand side of my van has rust issues. Got quoted 6-7k for a new frame. Is it worth it?

 

[Gr8ful]

Have to know the year, make, model, milage, condition, etc to make a decision. I'm not advising this but had a contractor with a chevy plow truck the frame rotted so he poured concrete on both frame sides. Lasted the rest of the trucks life & didn't have to add weight.

 

[bullfrog]

Lots more info and pictures would really help! My crystal ball is a little foggy today! LOL!!!

 

[MrNoodly]

I would hope a $6-7K frame comes with the entire rest of a van attached.

 

[highdesertranger]

yep more info. start with make, model, and year. then some pictures would help. I have actually done full frame replacements on several occasions. highdesertranger

 

[Natgreen]

On the right  side
2001 dodge b3500

 

[highdesertranger]

that's done. I wouldn't even try o fix it. does a 1 ton Dodge have a frame or is it a unibody. if it's a unibody it's done. get a new van. there is no correct way to repair a unibody. show us a pic of the frame back on the body. I wouldn't even drive that. highdesertranger

 

[Weldman]

that's done. I wouldn't even try o fix it.  does a 1 ton Dodge have a frame or is it a unibody.  if it's a unibody it's done.  get a new van.  there is no correct way to repair a unibody.  show us a pic of the frame back on the body.  I wouldn't even drive that. highdesertranger

Um that is the frame in the picture, they are on frames. That's toasted, best to count your blessings you made it home without it snapping. Find another van with blown transmission or engine and do a swap or just clean the slate and start over with another van.
Also this is a common problem in those vans too...

 

[Matlock]

Yikes !!!!

If the frame looks like that the body can't be much better. Your one pothole away from what could easily be a major accident. I would remove everything salvageable and call the local car crusher to pick-up. It's just not safe nor worth trying to correct.

my ol 2¢

 

[user 2252]

No

 

[Doubleone]

How that can still be holding together is beyond me... the rust has literally flaked the metal. I was considering a suggestion to find a race car fabricator and have them stub it...(common in racing circles) but there's nothing left to weld it to. Probably hidden internal rust in the other frame sections too. At this point, I have to agree it's unsafe and basically totaled. Salvage what you can...

 

[MrNoodly]

And if you get a replacement, try to get something from outside the Rust Belt.

 

[MotorVation]

The right hand side of my van has rust issues. Got quoted 6-7k for a new frame. Is it worth it?

Someone is trying to screw you big time. Your van has is a uni-body, as does mine which is an '02. I'm no expert but from what I understand, it's possible to cut the front frame horn off and weld in a replacement from a rust free junk yard donor. 6-7 hundred would be a good deal and probably way under what it should cost but 6-7k is ridiculous. Those frame horns are available but hard to come by so they're probably bringing in serious coin.

This probably doesn't need saying but I would inspect the driver side also. I recently removed and treated the rust from my driver side horn and if I hadn't I'm sure it would have gotten as bad as yours. Here's the thread I posted on it.

https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=35993

I'm aware of one YouTuber who had his cut off and replaced but he had a Dodge Class B and it was otherwise in pretty good shape. I don't know what he paid for the job.

I wish you luck with it.

 

[closeanuf]

Don't spend a dime on that van. Sorry but it's not worth anything unless you need a storage shed.

 

[highdesertranger]

cutting a uni-body and splicing it together is no easy job. I fact it's next to impossible to get it done correctly, sure there are a few top of there game shops that can do it but they are in high demand for custom work and are gong to charge top dollar. when I say top dollar they are not going to charge you hourly they are going to charge you the same price they could be making doing custom work.

if you bend a uni-body at all it is next to impossible to straighten it out. that's why insurance companies total them if they have any frame damage.

if the front of the frame is rusted like that the rear can't be far behind even if you can't see it. I have seen Dodges pull the steering components right off the frame and they had no visible signs of rust.

I am just providing this info so some shyster doesn't come along and say no problem I can fix that. you know what they are lying to you and only want your money.

now if it was a full frame vehicle then that's easy to do. well relatively easy.

highdesertranger

 

[Gary68]

if yours runs good,find a good van with a blown engine for cheap and make two one