T-Juan - `98 Toyota T100 4x4, 5-spd

[SaltyMethods]

Noticed some cracking on my rear crossmember.



Had some time this weekend to work on replacing it.
Cut out the pre-existing crossmember.


Worked up some frame plates for the front crossmember and decided to add in a second crossmember at the back of the frame.




Decided to do some additional triangular tubes to front and back crossmembers to add in more structural support. Not that I'm an expert by any means but I think why the first crossmember had almost full cracking around each end was from frame flex and twisting motion. Anyone with more experience confirm that?

So I cut two new diagonal tubes but they didn't land in the middle of the crossmember. I was going to just weld them in but I figured if I posted it looking like that, I wouldn't earn any "internet points". So I cut two new tubes and got them to land in the right spot.




Finished product for the day. Still have to relocate my limiting strap mounts and under lighting mounts. I'm also hoping to make some kind of mount or remount the stock spare tire carrier underneath.



I'll admit, not my best welds. I had some massive gaps that I had to fill and trying to weld right up against the bottom of the bed was not that easy. Fingers crossed that everything holds together.

 

[the bodj]

That'll definitely be an improvement. If you can add tubes from your bedcage to the rear bed bolts. I think your bed corners are flexing up and down as well. The diagonals you added will mainly stiffen movement in the rear as if you are pushing into the bedside at the taillights

 

[SaltyMethods]

That'll definitely be an improvement. If you can add tubes from your bedcage to the rear bed bolts. I think your bed corners are flexing up and down as well. The diagonals you added will mainly stiffen movement in the rear as if you are pushing into the bedside at the taillights

Ya, I've been thinking of adding in some more tubes from the bed cage all the way back. Although, I hesitate because I'm still trying to retain as much bed space as I can. Eventually the bed will be cut out and tossed but that probably won't happen until I decide to cage and link it.

The bed is barely hanging on at this point. Most of the supports underneath were cut when I caged the rear and the bed sags pretty good. I used my jack to flex it back straight but it won't be long before it sags again. I think I'm going to add in some more support structure underneath to keep it from sagging. I'm actually surprised that the bed hasn't fully ripped itself part by now.

 

[the bodj]

I would hold onto the bed as long as you can. I never understood people ditching the bed for a leaf sprung setup.

 

[SaltyMethods]

I would hold onto the bed as long as you can. I never understood people ditching the bed for a leaf sprung setup.

I plan on it. I guess, I'm still an "overlander" at heart.

 

[SByota]

I would hold onto the bed as long as you can. I never understood people ditching the bed for a leaf sprung setup.

Hate speech…..even though I kinda miss the storage space now.

 

[SaltyMethods]

Hate speech…..even though I kinda miss the storage space now.