Finally fixed a rotted quarter panel on a 2004 Tacoma today

Been fighting with this truck for three days, every time I thought I had it clean more rust would show up. Cut out a section about 14 inches long behind the rear wheel, fabbed a patch from 18 gauge steel yesterday. Got it welded in and body filler smoothed out this afternoon before the rain hit. Has anyone else dealt with Toyota frames from that era just crumbling on you?

3 comments

3 Comments

danielr941mo ago

Actually 18 gauge is a bit thin for structural patches on these Tacomas.

anthonymurray1mo ago

Honestly, I used to think 18 gauge was totally fine for these trucks, read a few forum threads and did a few patches myself with it. Tbh, seeing the way these frames flex and rust over time really opened my eyes to how thin it actually is under load. Ngl, your post made me rethink my whole approach on that next patch job.

troyreed16d ago

Wait, you fought rust for three days too? Mine was a 2000 Tundra that looked solid until I poked a screwdriver through the frame rail behind the cab. Sucks how Toyota just let those frames rot from the inside out. @danielr94 is right about gauge thickness though, I learned that the hard way when my patch cracked six months later and had to redo the whole thing.