Rusted Out Frame

[Gypsy108]

Hello All :heart:

It's been a while since i've posted....i'm still going nuts...still trying to figure out what i'm going to do....in the meantime, i now have a very old SUV with a rusted out frame (Toyota Sequoia) and i was wondering since the frame is so bad for towing if i could have a towing bar of some sort, attached onto the rear end of the non-rusted body to tow a cargo trailer ?

Thanks

 

[bullfrog]

Toyota has some recalls you might want to check. We need more info like the year and lots of pictures of rust and frame. If it is really bad you may consider parting it out as it is probably worth more parts wise than you think, or trade it for something with a tow hitch already on it. Most Sequoias came with a receiver. Are you saying it is rusted out?

 

[Gypsy108]

Hi Bullfrog ....it’s a 2001, and has a salvage title too.... recall stuff is over.... I took it to a Toyota dealership shortly after I bought it and they showed me the horribly rusted out frame with large holes too and said it was unsafe to drive... the guy I bought it from told me to not worry....ha....I paid $2,000 for it

 

[user 423]

How many miles? Does it run OK?

It may still be worth quite a bit as a parts vehicle to the right person.

Might take a while to sell it that way though.

 

[Gypsy108]

Hi Slow2day...it has over 360,000 miles
Runs great... just had new battery put in...I love the car but I’m worried about the frame

 

[user 423]

Well, if it's unsafe to drive by itself, it would be Really unsafe to drive pulling a trailer.

 

[Gypsy108]

Yes...but is there any way it could be altered so it would be safer ?  Like adding a hitch to the back where there is less rust ? R modify something ???  Or should I just forget the whole thing and better to sell for parts or whatever....

 

[user 423]

That would be a question for a local shop who could look at it and tell you what's what.

 

[Gypsy108]

Ok...thank you....i will have someone check it for that....

 

[nature lover]

That’s the trouble with Toyota. Drive train will last miles and miles and miles. But the frame which really isn’t a frame at all ,unibody I think?. They rust out way before that Superior Drive train loses its strength. I drove a Toyota wagon I can’t remember what year it was. I bought it with 180,000 miles on it retired at 400,000 because the frame was shot. Sounds like that could be a nice parts car if you got something similar with a good frame. God bless all the nomads even those of us with rusty frames.

 

[highdesertranger]

"Yes...but is there any way it could be altered so it would be safer ?"

yes replace the frame. I have done it many times. find a good frame and swap it. however I find it hard to believe that if the frame is rotted that bad the body can't be in good shape.

highdesertranger

 

[bullfrog]

Did you find or get any receipts for replacement parts and if so were they original Toyota factory parts? The engine timing belt should have been replaced every 90,000 to 110,000 miles along with the water pump. Timing belt replacement parts and labor is around $800 to $1,000. Look at eBay to get an idea of what parts are selling for. The Tundra truck and Sequoia share many parts and because Sequoias sold low numbers their body parts cost may surprise you especially the rear hatch. There are specialized wrecking yards for Toyota so search for them and see what they will pay or if they have a vehicle with a bad motor or one the motor has been sold out of as that often occurs due to the lack of motors available. Your motor, if the oil analysis is good and all engine accessories are factory Toyota parts, is worth more than you payed for the car most likely. The boxed frames held water and rusted prematurely. Thousands have been replaced so lots of Toyota mechanics are familiar with what needs to be done. It is unsafe to drive with frame rust and another frame is the answer.

 

[maki2]

avoid going over speed bumps or into potholes on the way to the inspection by the next shop

 

[Gypsy108]

"Yes...but is there any way it could be altered so it would be safer ?"

yes replace the frame.  I have done it many times.  find a good frame and swap it.  however I find it hard to believe that if the frame is rotted that bad the body can't be in good shape.

highdesertranger

the body looks solid... ver nice interior too...I don’t know if it will be worth it to replace the frame... that will also open up another can of worms.... right ?    I am in no position financially to be shelling out money for car repairs...and parts... if I was on the road as a nomad I wouldn’t have a choice....that’s exactly why I’m reluctant now to hit the road...I will go broke fixing it up probably...

 

[highdesertranger]

well I do the work myself but if you had to pay someone you will go broke. BTW I have a spare frame for my Chevy 1 ton 4x4 crew cab, just in case. highdesertranger

 

[Gypsy108]

@Bullfrog.... no receipts... I’ll have to look on CARFAX to see if there’s anything ... not sure if I wanna be poring money in this vehicle...I’m trying to save up for a van again... but I also thought about getting a WeeRoll cargo trailer...that’s why I posted this thread... just in case... but it looks like it will be quite an expense to make it all come together... but I’ll see what is possible for me at this point...it’s so overwhelming....

Thanks guys for your expertise advice and input

 

[Gypsy108]

avoid going over speed bumps or into potholes on the way to the inspection by the next shop

Ha....

 

[user 423]

...that’s exactly why I’m reluctant now to hit the road...I will go broke fixing it up probably...

That's a given for any 20yo vehicle with 360,000 miles. Even a Toyota.

Are you in a situation where you have to hit the road?

 

[Gypsy108]

well I do the work myself but if you had to pay someone you will go broke.  BTW I have a spare frame for my Chevy 1 ton 4x4 crew cab,  just in case.  highdesertranger

Aw.... so kind of you... I wouldn’t want to put you through all that work...god knows what else will break off and need replacement after the frame gets pulled... if I was already on the road and had no other choice I would definitely take you up on that....but I want to be able and ready when I hit the road.... but who know when the s@#* will hit the fan .....

 

[Gypsy108]

That's a given for any 20yo vehicle with 360,000 miles. Even a Toyota.

Are you in a situation where you have to hit the road?

True .... things are ok for now... but I pretty much live in a state of fight or flight...my meds are working pretty good though... lol...I just never know what’s gonna happen sometimes.... I’ve been known to just up and leave when I just can’t take it anymore....