So my frame has some pretty intense rust in the front wheel well near the upper control arm. As you can see there's plenty of frame missing. My plan was to weld it back up myself, but my research has me pretty scared. And the fact that most shops won't touch it due to liability reasons has me even more worried. Am I really going to die in a horrible accident driving around with this? Will welding it back together make it any safer, or am I going to make it worse? I really don't want to have to say goodbye to this van, so I'm hoping that I can fix it. What do you all think?
Frame Rot. Is it safe to fix this?
- Thread starter Tonycrums
- Start date
Delica_Dad
Active Member
The right way to fix structural rust is to cut out and replace/weld in factory parts. Once you weld on your own reinforcement it's not going to have the same structural properties it did when it was built. So the questions you need to ask yourself are:
1) Can I cut out and replace the rusted pieces "close" to the stock thickness and shape?
2) Are you willing to drive a vehicle that might not perform as it was intended in an accident?
3) If you ever sell this, will you point out the modifications you made? (only answer is yes to this)
If it were me, I'd repair it, but that's cause I'm pretty confident in my welding ability and I think I could get it back to near stock form.
Also, you need to replace that steering rack boot!
1) Can I cut out and replace the rusted pieces "close" to the stock thickness and shape?
2) Are you willing to drive a vehicle that might not perform as it was intended in an accident?
3) If you ever sell this, will you point out the modifications you made? (only answer is yes to this)
If it were me, I'd repair it, but that's cause I'm pretty confident in my welding ability and I think I could get it back to near stock form.
Also, you need to replace that steering rack boot!
webeckop
New Member
I am in a similar circumstance and have zero abilities to perform work myself. I’m farming mine around to see what is able to be done. When I purchased it I did not realize someone has put an expanding foam product in which I was devastated to discover.
Does anyone have any knowledge about a compatible chassis? One suggestion has been to purchase a rolling chassis to swap out. Any information, ideas, suggestion, or chassis donations
I’m all ears.
Does anyone have any knowledge about a compatible chassis? One suggestion has been to purchase a rolling chassis to swap out. Any information, ideas, suggestion, or chassis donations
I’m all ears. 
Here's a suggestion:
Chassis rust is expensive to repair properly, and anything less than "properly" is dangerous in an accident. I would look to buy a Delica with a blown engine/gearbox/mechanical issues, and make two out of one.
Chassis rust is expensive to repair properly, and anything less than "properly" is dangerous in an accident. I would look to buy a Delica with a blown engine/gearbox/mechanical issues, and make two out of one.
webeckop
New Member
I am very open to that option and have started shopping but I’m gun shy that I’ll get another rusty, broken frame. Aside from putting it on a lift prior to purchase which isn’t always an option I don’t know how to ensure I’m getting a viable van for a swap.
Also does the Delica truck use the same frame? It would be great if I could expand my swap options.
Also does the Delica truck use the same frame? It would be great if I could expand my swap options.
W/o a thorough/knowledgable inspection there is no way to know... even with one there are no guarantees. At least now you have a better idea of one of the L400's known problem areas.
The L400 is not similar to the Delcia Truck nor L300... the truck has a frame as does the first/second gen L300; later L300s ('87+) and L400 are unibody construction and don't have a separate frame.
webeckop
New Member
Thank you so much for your input. I’m learning slowly but surely and this forum has been a huge help!