My '04 is hopefully getting an extended life by having new steel welded into the driver's side frame where the leaf spring attaches on the driver's side. The welder stated that Colorados/Canyons tend to rust out on the driver's side and he's repaired a number of them. $900 seems a good deal considering the option of junking it out, especially when the rest of the truck is in good condition.
I suspect the fully-boxed frame retains crud in places that're gonna rot eventually. Probably would no matter the factory corrosion-protection treatment applied.
On these little trucks though, I doubt GM went all out to apply the best/latest state-of-the-art (for 2004) to the frame anti-corrosion treatment.
I'm sure they didn't bother to electrocoat it.
Probably just hit it with no-primer cheapo paint.
My '05 Colorado still looks lovely underneath.
That chit they put on your roads up there really takes a toll. I just got back from a trip to Ohio, and was appalled at all the rusted out trucks I saw up there - One in particular was a 1994 Silverado, bed, fenders, rear end, all rusted out to hell. I recently parted (Sadly) with a 1990 Silverado that was immaculate compared to that '94 I saw.
Sorry to hear about your truck frame.
I think if not treated that will happen eventually. I remember when I moved to Kansas from Michigan years ago that it surprised me how few had the rust that they had up north. When I was buying my new to me Equinox last December, the dealer couldn't figure out why I bought a 2016 from southern Texas and not one with 10,000 less miles from Michigan. 3 years in the rust belt vs no years in the rust belt.....
My '05 was in the northeast and upper midwest most of the 13 winters I drove it. The frame looked near pristine when I sold it about 18 months ago. There was light surface-rust over the entire chassis and undercarriage, but the otherwise the frame looked fine.
Yup, classic Canyon/Colly... Looks great on the outside... Next thing you know, you have a rotted out frame, from the inside... Exact same thing... See my posting:
So many trucks get parted out here in NY over rotted frames. Truck fails inspection due to frame, you take it off the road then part it out. Usually throw away the body and sell interior and powertrain parts. Just the life cycle of trucks it seems.
Hey, dude. Frankly speaking, it's a good solution of your problem. $900 is a bit expensive, I think, but it doesn't matter, if the work is done well. I write it, because I'm the welder too. I want to share with you some thoughts about my profession. A lot of people think, that welder is an easy profession and even everyone can deal with it, if he wants, but it isn't the true. Do you know how much the good helmet costs? I use the custom welding helmets for making the work for a great welding outcome. So, respect our profession, guys, and don't speak anything before you won't test it on yourself. Good luck.
My '04 is hopefully getting an extended life by having new steel welded into the driver's side frame where the leaf spring attaches on the driver's side. The welder stated that Colorados/Canyons tend to rust out on the driver's side and he's repaired a number of them. $900 seems a good deal considering the option of junking it out, especially when the rest of the truck is in good condition.
I swapped a frame on a truck that I was forced to buy! 2004 Colorado with 109,000 miles on it. I repaired the frame 2 years ago and winter of 2021 took the toll on the frame!
I found a 2 wheel drive frame, I thought to myself it can’t be that different! Boy was I wrong! Two wheel drive Canyons and Colorados are coil over front suspension and four wheel drive are torsion bar suspension!
Had to cut replacement frame open by the rear lower control arm supports to reinforce where the factory reinforcements were located and install capture nuts inside the frame for the front differential brackets!
I had the frame galvanized, then I primed it with water Bourne primer and painted the whole frame, springs, differential with Imron 99U gloss black urethane paint! No more rust on this truck forever!
I started disassembling the Colorado July 2, 2022 this year. I put the truck together and it passed emissions and got it plated, insured October 2,2022!
I installed a 4” suspension lift from Tuff Country and a 1 1/2” body lift. Added new rack and pinion while I was there too! Might as well, and new upper and lower control arms. New universal joints, brake calipers and wheel cylinders to be safe!
Next spring, I’m replacing the rocker panels and the truck will out last the engine! When the engine goes bad, this Colorado will get a Chevy LS engine conversion!
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