Welding on Tacoma's? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Wheelie_Pete · 05-15-2007, 07:00 AM

Hi all, I've been building Toyota's for the last 10 years or so, but this is my first Tacoma (2001 SR5 V6 Ex-Cab Auto Trans)

I'm getting set to weld up some sliders and weld them to the frame rails. Is there any inherent issues with welding on the Tacoma's that I should know about? Ie: Should I unhook any electrical stuff like the computer before I go a weldin'? I never unhooked anything on the older trucks and never had a problem, but this Taco has a lot more sophisticated computer stuff on it than any of my other junk. Just figured I'd check. Obviously, I'll have a good bare-metal ground close to where I'm welding on the truck.

jtaco1 · 05-15-2007, 07:13 AM

Just have a good close ground and you should be good. Also, use frame scab plates in a diamond shape with the points knocked off to spread the load and reduce stress risers. Tacoma frames are somewhat thin.

CHAD PEZZLE · 05-15-2007, 07:14 AM

just dis-connect the battery, it's cheap insurance. I wouldn't really worry about anything else.

Chad

CronusTRD · 05-15-2007, 10:09 AM

Just ground correctly and burn away.

Utilize frame plates for sliders. They are not even 1/8" wall.

toyin · 05-15-2007, 06:42 PM

IF it were me i would just take the extra 10 minutes and disconnect the computer and battery. That way you know you don't have to worry.

krickett · 05-15-2007, 10:59 PM

I always disconnect ECU and ground on battery on every vehicle i weld on, including my Tacoma. Whether you need to, i don't really know. I do it for peace of mind. Can't hurt!

zebratoy · 05-16-2007, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krickett

I always disconnect ECU and ground on battery on every vehicle i weld on, including my Tacoma. Whether you need to, i don't really know. I do it for peace of mind. Can't hurt!

I'm with him better safe than sorry.

AZTBob · 05-16-2007, 01:50 PM

X2 and no battery disconnect required.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtaco1

Just have a good close ground and you should be good. Also, use frame scab plates in a diamond shape with the points knocked off to spread the load and reduce stress risers. Tacoma frames are somewhat thin.

dieseltoyz · 05-21-2007, 08:28 AM

Make sure that there's nothing on the other side of that frame rail. There was a guy I worked with at Toyota that was modding his 1998 Tacoma and burned the thing up. He was welding rock sliders onto the frame rails and failed to notice that there were fuel lines running along the frame rail. He began welding on the rails and poof, the fuel lines ignited and by the time the fire was put out, the truck was gone.

05-15-2007, 07:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
Wheelie_Pete Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Member # 1301 Location: Springtucky, OR Posts: 697	Welding on Tacoma's? Hi all, I've been building Toyota's for the last 10 years or so, but this is my first Tacoma (2001 SR5 V6 Ex-Cab Auto Trans) I'm getting set to weld up some sliders and weld them to the frame rails. Is there any inherent issues with welding on the Tacoma's that I should know about? Ie: Should I unhook any electrical stuff like the computer before I go a weldin'? I never unhooked anything on the older trucks and never had a problem, but this Taco has a lot more sophisticated computer stuff on it than any of my other junk. Just figured I'd check. Obviously, I'll have a good bare-metal ground close to where I'm welding on the truck. __________________ Your SUV hates its life as a minivan!

05-15-2007, 07:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
jtaco1 Granite Guru Join Date: Aug 2004 Member # 34250 Location: Marysville, PA Posts: 804	Just have a good close ground and you should be good. Also, use frame scab plates in a diamond shape with the points knocked off to spread the load and reduce stress risers. Tacoma frames are somewhat thin. __________________ 88 4 Runner, dual cases w/ 4.7's, Tacoma E-locker rear, 37" PB Rockers and no lift, caged

05-15-2007, 10:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
CronusTRD Rock God Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11141 Location: MD Posts: 1,684 Blog Entries: 1	Just ground correctly and burn away. Utilize frame plates for sliders. They are not even 1/8" wall. __________________ Mike RcRocs 4.3 Toyota Jeep www.marylandcreepers.com www.rightcoast4x4.com

05-15-2007, 10:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
krickett Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Member # 80969 Location: Edmonds, WA Posts: 50	I always disconnect ECU and ground on battery on every vehicle i weld on, including my Tacoma. Whether you need to, i don't really know. I do it for peace of mind. Can't hurt! __________________ [I]-Ryan[/I] [URL="http://4wdtoyota.com"]4WD Toyota[/URL]

05-21-2007, 08:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
dieseltoyz Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Member # 86769 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 42	Make sure that there's nothing on the other side of that frame rail. There was a guy I worked with at Toyota that was modding his 1998 Tacoma and burned the thing up. He was welding rock sliders onto the frame rails and failed to notice that there were fuel lines running along the frame rail. He began welding on the rails and poof, the fuel lines ignited and by the time the fire was put out, the truck was gone. __________________ dieseltoys.com

05-15-2007, 07:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
CHAD PEZZLE Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13368 Location: Rodent Park, CA Posts: 264	just dis-connect the battery, it's cheap insurance. I wouldn't really worry about anything else. Chad

05-15-2007, 06:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
toyin Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Member # 56751 Location: Torrington, Wy Posts: 1,300	IF it were me i would just take the extra 10 minutes and disconnect the computer and battery. That way you know you don't have to worry.

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