just picked up a 79 20r 4x4 cheap. knowing the frame was rusty, but didnt think it was this bad. didnt even have it home 2 hours and snapped the frame in half at the back of the cab, no crap(ohio weather will do that to a 27 year old truck i guess). well, i was wondering if anyone out there has ever scratch built a frame for one of these things. i would hate to think what someone would want for an aftermarket frame( ive seen jeep frames$$$). i have built custom frames before and this does not look that hard. was thinking 2x4 square tube for the front up to behind the front wheel, then to 2x5 up to the rear wheel and the back to 2x4 tube to the rear bumper. cross members accordingly of course. spring mounts and engine mounts look simple enough. i will use 3/16 thick tubing throughout with stiffeners where i feel needed. anyone done this? any thoughts or advice?? thanks.

Seems like alot of work for a 79. It's been some time now that I ran across someone thinking of building frames to sale. But, I don't think anyone has them for sale "NEW".
I like building or changing stuff...Never built a frame before. Guess, if I had the know how, tools, time and money, I would give it a try. Hobby for me anyway. Just about anything can be done in fab work. Pirates, have alot of info...just be careful. They flame noobs and guess you have to pay to play with their search button.
Why not find a toyota frame and swap them out? Cheaper, faster, and less down time.
By the way, Welcome.
Mike

BudBuilt is working on building new frames for Toyotas.

http://www.budbuilt.com/new/index.html



We are working on a jig that will allow us to produce these in an accurate and inexpensive manner. We are shooting for a target price of $1500 to $2000 for a complete frame. We hope to have these available for sale in the June time frame.
These frames will replace your existing stock frame and make an excellent base to build your ultimate truck! They are computerized mandrel bent 2"x4" x 3/16" wall structural steel tubing. The main frame rails are formed from one piece for maximum strength. The front crossmember can house a 2" receiver hitch or an integral winch mount.
All frames are made for solid front axles ( replacing your weak IFS), and leaf springs. They will fit from 1979-1995 (non-Tacoma and T100) pickups and 4Runners.
Extra mounts for springs, shocks, fuel tanks, and bumpers are all built in. Many options are available for your specific plans. Rocksliders, bumpers, tire mounts, drivetrain and body lifts can all be built in.
Hot dip galvanizing is also available for the best corrosion protection. Powdercoating is also available.
We will offer weld in repair panels for those whose frames are not quite gone yet, as well as 1/2 and 3/4 frames. More info to follow soon.

WOW! That is impressive. Do you have an idea of any weight difference between your frame and a stocker?

Panamint Charlie

Another option to building one, is sourcing one from the West coast and S. West, we don't salt our roads out here, so rusted out frames aren't that common. A 2wd drive frame from the same gen (79-83) era is virtually the same, you would only have to modify the front for the leaf springs, same as doing an SAS on the IFS frames.

Not mine, BudBuilt is designing it!!!!I live in California where we do not worry about our frames

I've got the same problem with my 83', sorry for the hijack but how much work is involved with using a 2wd frame regarding the front spring mounts? Would it be as involved as the SAS in IFS? Sorry again for the hijack, but there are no decent frames around here..... I have been wondering the same notion for months, but I love the style of these old trucks....

it's somewhat like doing a SAS on an IFS truck, but the end result is much better. you can buy a pre-made hanger from one of the many vendors, and fabricate a shackle mount in the frame for the front springs. i'd HIGHLY recommend ditching your factory steering and going to hysteer on the new frame.

You can buy used rust free frames in the southern U.S., the southwest and the west coast. They run $300 - $600. Check car-part.com. The factory manual has a diagram with all the major dimensions for the frame of each particular year. The frame on my '84 rusted and broke. I just rebuilt the bad section. -- Matt

Thanks for the car-parts site, but the closest one is in GA, which is too far, and repair is out of the question. I have a solid 82'2wd frame, and if all it needed was the spring mount crossmember, I would buy one today.... As far as the steering would go, would I have to go with a hysteer kit? Any other suggestionI don't want more than 3" lift and 31's when its complete, so just wondering if I would have to go down that road.