Tacoma

[Manly]

Oddly, if I'd have taken worse care of my truck it'd be in better shape!! If I'd kept it outside, the frame would have failed inside the warranty period. The frame would have been replaced by now and several rust related issues would not have occurred. Oh, the irony...

I figure you're going to pay for something one way or another. I concluded that repairs you're not going to need are included in the purchase price. I bought an '02 and paid it off in '05. Haven't had a car payment for 13 years. Probably spend $1k/year in repairs, etc. Sure, it's a PITA when stuff happens, but "no car payment" sure has ended up with a lot of guitars hanging on my wall. ;-)

"Power" is a real issue for me. I wonder where does the gas go? I don't do burnouts or floor the thing, and it's a great day with the camper shell and a tailwind that I get 20 mpg... Pulling a trailer or humping firewood is always 15 mpg.

BUT, the paint is nearly flawless after 16 years. I never owned a GM vehicle where the clear coat lasted six years. Why didn't they make the whole thing out of the paint??

Yes, I would buy my truck again. And knowing what I know now, I'd take better care of it.

I was very surprised when they told me my frame failed the test. I do my own maintenance and looked at the frame periodically. Saw rust but nothing that looked too bad in my opinion, but I’m not the frame expert. I will say my dealer had it down pat. Dropped it off Thursday night, ready for pickup Monday after work. Our winters here are real sloppy and they use liquid treatment that eats frames and bodies.

 

[Lakeside]

my frame failed the test

What year was your truck ?

Were was the frame rotted ? Any pics?

 

[Manly]

What year was your truck ?

Were was the frame rotted ? Any pics?

2005 I purchased new. About 70,000 miles when I got the recall in 2017. No pictures but it didn’t look that bad to me, but then when I was younger I drove old fords and GMs that would literally break frames from rot. Have the new frame about a year and a half now. Still showing all black coating and still has factory labels attached. I’ll snap some celluloid s and post when I get a chance.

 

[Soundchasm]

What year was your truck ?

Were was the frame rotted ? Any pics?

When I go in for a frame check, the mechanic goes underneath with a 3 lb hammer and gives the frame a few good whacks under the doors (where they see the majority of frames fail). If the hammer leaves a good dent or penetrates, then the frame is pronounced DOA. I honestly don't know if they'll let you drive home...

I joined a Tacoma forum when I found out about frame rot. For years I'd see pics of tricked out trucks, beautiful paint, aftermarket everything, clearly somebody's pride and joy, with the frame snapped right in the middle. Frames would fail going up on a lift. The carnage was amazing. Guys would go in for emission tests and have their vehicles seized.

 

[Lakeside]

I honestly don't know if they'll let you drive home...

That was the case with my first frame rust, they wanted the truck right then. I got the 1 -1/2 Kellyblue book deal --- made money on that used truck.

Thanks for the info on were rot most likely shows up.

 

[vtwoodheater]

This Toyota truck thing really confuses me. (Frame rot.)
"Reliable, resale value, capable" (Frame rot.)
"Best truck I ever owned, MPG's, etc." (Frame rot)

 

[Chimney Smoke]

Nobody can say anything bad about Toyota when it comes to the whole frame replacement situation. If you live in the north where salt and other liquid treatments are on the roads for 6 months per year every vehicle rusts out. I do find it amazing they continue to replace frames for free. No other vehicle manufacturers have done anything close to this, ever.

 

[vtwoodheater]

Body panels rust out after 12 years, not frames.
Toyota has to replace the frames, they would never sell another truck otherwise.

 

[festerw]

This Toyota truck thing really confuses me. (Frame rot.)
"Reliable, resale value, capable" (Frame rot.)
"Best truck I ever owned, MPG's, etc." (Frame rot)

My 14 year old Tundra with a new frame under it has less suspension and interior creaks and squeaks than the 2 year old Fords and Chevys we have at work. That's why people like them, mine just rolled over 190k and has some surface rust on the inner rocker nothing anywhere else.

The frame rot is a big deal but like Chimney Smoke mentioned they've stepped up and repaired them, they very easily could have bought them back instead. GM 25/3500 trucks have been cracking frames for 30 years and they deny there's a problem so which is better?

 

[bholler]

Body panels rust out after 12 years, not frames.
Toyota has to replace the frames, they would never sell another truck otherwise.

Gm ford and dodge have all completly ignored their rust issues for years and they still sell trucks. Toyota trucks are not heavy enough for my needs but they have dealt with their problems better than most other companies.

 

[vtwoodheater]

VW, Mazda, Nissan, it doesn't matter. Everything rusts up here, even Subaru. GM Ford and Dodge still sell millions of trucks. At least their frames stay together.

 

[Manly]

When they told me my frame failed, they returned the vehicle and said it was safe to drive until the frame came in. It was a few months anyway before they replaced the frame. I don’t believe they said anything about a buyback. Initially I was upset about the truck failing and needing a frame replacement. I assumed I would have all kinds of problems afterwards. I was also peaved I was putting my own money into it. After all was completed it was/is like a brand new truck. Their workmanship was top notch and much more than just the frame was replaced. I try to get it through the car was often in the winter. These chemicals are killer. I initiated some new upgrades like a heavyweight aluminum tailgate liner and intermittent wiper control. When I purchased this Taco my intent was to have this until my truck days were through. It may just happen.

 

[bholler]

VW, Mazda, Nissan, it doesn't matter. Everything rusts up here, even Subaru. GM Ford and Dodge still sell millions of trucks. At least their frames stay together.

Many of their frames dont. Gm bumpers fall off from rust. Their brake and fuel lines fail

 

[Chemdawg]

I got new frame on my 2005.
Paid $0 but no buy back offered like on the 1st generation trucks.

 

[ole]

My 03 Taco had some signs of frame rot when I traded it in on my 2014. So far my 2014 frame looks really good but I spray it down every fall with Amsoil HDMP. 2.7 liter auto I get 24 mpg highway

2014 was the last year for the regular cab $24000 I paid

 

[blacktail]

My 03 Taco had some signs of frame rot when I traded it in on my 2014. So far my 2014 frame looks really good but I spray it down every fall with Amsoil HDMP. 2.7 liter auto I get 24 mpg highway

View attachment 242539

View attachment 242540

2014 was the last year for the regular cab $24000 I paid

The 2.7 is a fantastic engine. Better power and better reliability than the 22re that was so beloved in the pre-Tacoma trucks, with the same or better mpg.

 

[Ashful]

Gm ford and dodge have all completly ignored their rust issues for years and they still sell trucks. Toyota trucks are not heavy enough for my needs but they have dealt with their problems better than most other companies.

Frame rust issues? Never had any on any of my trucks, and I’ve owned one 20 year old Ford, one ten year old Chevy, and one twelve year old Dodge. The Ford and Dodge both had body rust issues, but neither started until age 10, which I consider acceptable. The Chevy had a host of exhaust and brake line rot issues from age six until I sold it, but no body rot.

Of the dozens of trucks owned by my various friends and acquaintances, that experience seems to be universal. The only guys I know with frame rot issues are all driving Toyota, but they still love their trucks.

Personal experiences will vary, we all see too small a part of the national fleet to make many valid conclusions.

 

[bholler]

Frame rust issues? Never had any on any of my trucks, and I’ve owned one 20 year old Ford, one ten year old Chevy, and one twelve year old Dodge. The Ford and Dodge both had body rust issues, but neither started until age 10, which I consider acceptable. The Chevy had a host of exhaust and brake line rot issues from age six until I sold it, but no body rot.

Of the dozens of trucks owned by my various friends and acquaintances, that experience seems to be universal. The only guys I know with frame rot issues are all driving Toyota, but they still love their trucks.

Personal experiences will vary, we all see too small a part of the national fleet to male many valid conclusions.

Mid to late 2000 gm trucks have bumpers rusting off the extended and crew cabs have cab rust problems. They have frame rust issues. Ours is getting replaced at 98000 because it has a bad frame. Ford's have body rust problems but not much in the way of frame issues the same with dodge.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

What are people's experiences with the tacomas?

Im sure if you get a new one you will not have as many issues. Frame Rust was the most serious issue on my 1999 but absolutely EVERY toyota tacoma i looked at ,at the time had heavy frame rust. Other issues i had prompted me to get rid of the 6yr old truck in only a year of ownership and 76k on the clock. Like abysmal hauling capacity,rear springs bottomed out with a few hundred Lbs in the bed. Gas leaks, Engine had plenty of power but got poor MPG. Exhaust pipe rot. The final nail in the coffin was a rear main seal oil leak. Im sure they have greatly improved by now but mine was not a real work truck.

 

[Stelcom66]

My 03 Taco had some signs of frame rot when I traded it in on my 2014. So far my 2014 frame looks really good but I spray it down every fall with Amsoil HDMP..

I'll have to get that Amsoil HDMP.. I have an older truck but I believe the frame is ok, want to keep it that way. Or - maybe there's no benefit at this point. There is some surface rust than is easily scraped off on the bottom in places

 

[ole]

I'll have to get that Amsoil HDMP

Wisconsin uses a lot of road salt. My 2014 Taco has been through five winters. The frame shows no rot anywhere. My buddy let’s me put my truck up on his lift then I shoot the frame with two large cans of Amsoil HDMP. They are about $12 a can. I can say it works and is much cheaper and easier to use than Fluid Film. I do it every fall around Thanksgiving. I leave his shop door open while doing so because this stuff can make you goofy in an enclosed space!

edit

I just did a 600 mile road trip mostly interstate and my 2.7 Taco averaged 23.8 MPG for the trip.

 

[Stelcom66]

Wisconsin uses a lot of road salt. My 2014 Taco has been through five winters. The frame shows no rot anywhere. My buddy let’s me put my truck up on his lift then I shoot the frame with two large cans of Amsoil HDMP. They are about $12 a can. I can say it works and is much cheaper and easier to use than Fluid Film. I do it every fall around Thanksgiving. I leave his shop door open while doing so because this stuff can make you goofy in an enclosed space!

edit

I just did a 600 mile road trip mostly interstate and my 2.7 Taco averaged 23.8 MPG for the trip.

i don't even have the luxury of a garage! Or I should say one that could fit the truck. Firewood among other things taking up space. The spray sounds like the way to go. A friend of mine bought another type applied with a brush, he said overalls are essential. I don't have a Tacoma, but if I had to settle for having just one vehicle that would likely be it. I'd go for the 2.7L 4WD and a 5 speed manual, which I know would be a hard drive train to find.

That mpg is very good - my former Subaru Forester didn't do significantly better than that.

 

[Soundchasm]

That was the case with my first frame rust, they wanted the truck right then. I got the 1 -1/2 Kellyblue book deal --- made money on that used truck.

Thanks for the info on were rot most likely shows up.

Lakeside, my day finally arrived. For a few months the ride just seemed slightly "off". Just doing a routine walk around, I saw the holes in my frame!! Above the rear wheels on both sides. Crikey!! It's Thursday. My main mechanic was completely covered up. Shot off to another mechanic at a dealership who looked at it. He suggested welding.

Had to go play a gig out of town Friday. Man, if I saw a speed bump it was "recalculating route"...

Well, another friend was able to do some welding on Monday. We cut plates out of steel and got them welded to healthy metal. The repair will be stronger than the frame ever was, so I've got a year or two to do a frame replacement.

As I understand it, the frame replacement should be less than $10k. Say I get it done in 2020. It will probably last for 15 years??? I'll be the 77 year old "original owner" of a 2002 Tacoma that's 33 years old. Excluding maintenance, my $23k purchase price plus $10k frame replacement will average out to $1k a year.

The joke factor alone is totally worth the cost!

The holes were more severe than depicted in the photos after I pressure washed all the rotten crap out of there.



Here are the after photos.


I guess I'll ride this thing till the wheels fall off... Sure can't sell it in good conscience.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

Lakeside, my day finally arrived. For a few months the ride just seemed slightly "off". Just doing a routine walk around, I saw the holes in my frame!! Above the rear wheels on both sides. Crikey!! It's Thursday. My main mechanic was completely covered up. Shot off to another mechanic at a dealership who looked at it. He suggested welding.

I guess I'll ride this thing till the wheels fall off... Sure can't sell it in good conscience.

Thats a death trap. ID be finding another ride while you figure out the best way to suicide it.

 

[Soundchasm]

That's a death trap. I'd be finding another ride while you figure out the best way to suicide it.

I appreciate your concern and we're here to help each other, so thank you for your perspective. I am taking it to heart in the way you intended. None of us would sit idly by if we saw something dangerous.

At the moment, I've got two certified Toyota mechanics and a guy who spends a lot of time at 125-150 MPH who think I'm OK for today. They got the "eyes-on" perspective and at least 100 years of combined experience.

My intention was to not exceed 12 months with the current solution. Based on your caution, I'll try to speed up the frame replacement.

Thank you for your honesty in this PC world.