04 with frame rust

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Junior1dad6888

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We have an '04 Tahoe 4x4 with the 5.3 and 80k on it. Bought 4.5 yrs ago with 35k on it then. Thought we would keep forever. It is super nice. Rocker panels have some rust and the frame has rusted out from under us. She loves it but is afraid of it. Have a guy that will put a new (old) frame under it. My muffler guy says forget it I should see what the salt trucks look like. Maybe weld in some angle iron and forget it.... Is it worth fixing or just trade it off? Patch it or frame replacement???
 

95escahoe

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The rocker rust is a pretty common issue on these trucks if it isn’t that bad yet should be an easy fix, the frame tho if it’s that bad and needs to be swapped out I’d strongly consider trading it in or selling it, unless you can get a new frame under it for cheap, if you do go that route I’d sandblast it and coat the shit outta it


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drakon543

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scrap it and find another one. if they were difficult to find i would suggest trying to save it. if yours is in decent shape aside from rockers and frame find another one in good shape. maybe one with a ton of miles on it or a bad engine/transmission. salvage what is worth saving from yours and scrap the rest. these trucks were real popular there are plenty out there to be scooped up and some with real nice bodies on them. picked my 97 up cheap since the guy thought it needed and engine(it did not). if i can ever find time it would be even better it has very little rust and rockers are perfect. it just has a real bad southern paint baking.
 
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Junior1dad6888

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The rocker rust is a pretty common issue on these trucks if it isn’t that bad yet should be an easy fix, the frame tho if it’s that bad and needs to be swapped out I’d strongly consider trading it in or selling it, unless you can get a new frame under it for cheap, if you do go that route I’d sandblast it and coat the shit outta it


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The shop that will do the repairs is a speed shop. He is going to blast and powder-coat. We plan on replacing wear items, brake lines, fuel lines and anything rubber. I am afraid I will have a fortune in it. Looking at other newer replacement vehicles with similar miles on them I have a lot of room for updating/replacement $$.
 

drakon543

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they are basically doing a bottom side restoration. if they aren't going to charge you a fortune for all that work i would be extremely suprised. best geuss price tag you could have probably bought a second tahoe.
 

drakon543

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i just found an 01 for 950 bucks near me. great shape too. like i said tho it has 200k on it and the trans is shot. great transplant for everything good from yours.
 

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