How to Fix a Rusted Truck Frame

Trucks can be prone to rust if you reside in snowy or coastal areas. A little spot of rust can spread and cause severe damage to your truck when ignored. Rust normally appears on trucks due to salt from the road during the winter season or the salt content of ocean air, which causes oxidation when these come into contact with a truck’s metal parts.

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Pro Tip: Some truck frames with the steering sector bolted to the frame may develop cracks at that point due to the stress created due to steering operation.

When rust starts to build up on your truck’s parts, it peels away the paint and weakens the metal’s strength. Your truck’s electrical system can also be affected because it has metallic components that are susceptible to rust.

Of course, one of the worst problems to have is a rusted frame. A severely rusted frame can compromise the overall safety of your truck and cause it to fail a state inspection (if required where you live).

Fixing a Rusty Truck Frame

There’s no easy way to fix a severely rusted truck frame. The only two options are to patch the frame with new sections of steel (if possible) or replace the entire frame.

Patching the Old Frame (never exactly the same)

In some cases, you might be able to patch up the old frame by cutting out the rotten part and welding new metal in place. However, this method doesn’t work if most of the frame has withered away or certain non-repairable parts are severely rusted.

The video below demonstrates fixing a rusted frame by welding in new sections of metal.

Replacing the Entire Frame

There are other instances where the frame is too far gone to be fixed and it must be replaced, instead. Replacing the frame is an extensive repair that often costs upwards of $10,000.

The video below documents replacing a frame on a Toyota Tacoma.

Rusted Frame Repair Cost

If the frame can be repaired, you can usually expect to pay somewhere between $2,000 and $5,000 to have the job done. On the other hand, if the frame must be replaced, there’s a good chance the job will cost upwards of $10,000.

Naturally, the exact cost of the repair will depend on a variety of factors, such as the type of vehicle you have and the severity of the rust damage.

Rust Prevention

There are several ways to prevent rust formation on your truck:

• Wash your car as soon as possible after driving on road salt or getting in contact with ocean air, especially if your truck frame has cracks or scratches.
• Repair cracks and other damage immediately.
• Check for rust under your truck and other areas.
• Apply a protective anti-rust coating to the undercarriage.

Researching about other parts for your vehicle? Here’s a list of common car body parts.

Signs It’s Time to Fix Your Rusted Truck Frame

The biggest signs it’s time to fix your rusted truck frame are visible rust, structural weaknesses, and if you spot cracks, holes, and other signs of deformation.

Visible Rust on the Frame

Rust isn’t just unsightly, it’s also indicative of larger problems with your vehicle. It can lead to structural weaknesses, and it can also cause cracks, holes, and dents to widen. Rust eats away at the frame, destroying it. To make matters worse, it can spread.

If you see rust in any part of your truck’s frame, it’s important to address it as soon as possible. Ideally, rust should be removed and any damaged parts should be cleaned. In more severe cases, you might have to replace certain components entirely.

Structural Weaknesses

Another sign your rusted truck frame is due for repair is if the frame becomes soft or easily bendable. Truck frames must be sturdy and should be able to retain their shape without bending or breaking upon impact. 

Cracks, Holes, and Deformation

If you have any dents, cracks, and holes on a rusted truck frame, it’s a good idea to get them repaired as soon as possible. Rust can eat away at the frame. The presence of any deformations makes it easier for rust to destroy your vehicle.

Where to Get Quality Rust Protector for Your Vehicle

Now that you’re familiar with how much damage rust can cause to your truck frame, it’s time to look at prevention methods. Rust protector can help you keep rusting down to a minimum, which can save you from needing costly frame repairs. You can buy some quality rust protector from the comforts of home at CarParts.com.

Buying a rust protector at CarParts.com is quick and simple on our easy-to-navigate website. It takes just a few quick clicks to browse our products and place an order. Proceeding through to checkout is convenient and secure. And afterwards, all you need to do is wait as we handle the rest. We’ll have your new bottle of rust protector delivered to your door in as fast as two business days. For any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out. Our helpful and friendly customer service team is happy to help around the clock.

Don’t wait for rust to eat through your truck frame. The best cure is prevention, so order a bottle of rust protector from CarParts.com today.