Rusty Frame

I was looking around under my truck and I found a couple problem areas on the frame.

What are the thoughts on these photos, am I going to qualify for a new frame?

 

From the reading/discussion here, as long as your vehicle was inspected/treated during the Service Campaign, you should be able to qualify.

 

I am due for a state inspection this month, so I am pretty sure its going to fail. And I have a lot of after market parts on my truck that I don't trust my local Toyota garage to deal with them and I don't wanna strip it down for them to tell me I am not going to get a new frame.

 

Yes it was inspected and sprayed and I was told several times (cause I am really OCD about getting this new frame and not missing out, I have called every year I have had the truck to get info) that I just have to wait till it fails a state inspection to get a new frame.

 

I did on the passenger side, The drivers side the gas tank is in the way. The passenger side was surprisingly strong since that crack is 9 inches long and completely rusted through. I can push the severed part of the frame in but flexes back out.

 

I don't think the frame is supposed to "Flex out"

 

I just don't wanna hear some stupid bullshit like "its not bad enough yet".

 

your frame is a fail for sure! and you don't have to fail a state inspection, you just bring it into a dealer and have them do the "hammer test".

 

I have bolt on sliders, Bud Built skids and a custom winch mounted behind the stock bumper. Should I remove all of this before taking it to them as I don't them to mess any of it up? Also do you think I run the risk of them seeing the bolt on sliders and blaming the rust on those? They are a U style bracket that cups the frame with bolts going over the top of the frame pinching the frame as a complete no drill install. I am just being really paranoid I have put a lot of money into this truck and want to keep it for a long time and don't want them to deny the frame replacement leaving me up shits creek.

 

What you do with the aftermarket parts is up to you. They shouldnt give you a hard time over the sliders since theyre bolt on (not weld). There is absolutely ZERO question that that frame is toast and needs to be replaced, with visible holes like that, they wont even need to hammer on it.

If you leave the aftermarket parts on, I figure worst that happens is they chuck them in the bed after replacing the frame. I wouldnt worry about them "messing them up", by FAR the more complex task is the non-aftermarket part of the job.

 

That's been inspected every year? There's no way all that happened in just a year. Looks like you're getting a new frame. If you're that worried about your aftermarket stuff just take it off before you take it in. I'm not sure if they take the truck as soon as it fails on a re-frame (with some of the buybacks they wouldn't let you drive it off the lot if it was bad enough after inspection) but if you do fail (and you will) you'll just make an appointment with them to start your re-frame process. So don't worry about taking the stuff you don't want them to touch off for the inspection.

 

You are answering your own questions and over-thinking the process.

Remove your add-ons, set them aside, take the truck in for inspection (looks like it will fail), let them do the frame replacement, take it home and put your equipment back on.

If you let the dealer remove your stuff they will 1) probably charge labor for the non-OEM stuff, and 2) won't do it to your satisfaction.

Since you're in the system - just get it done and stop fretting.

 

Man, that is freaking scary. This a common issue on 1st gen Tacos?

 

I think you will be ok letting toyota replace the frame. If the alternative is to drive around with a broken frame, the choice is clear.

 

You would feel better (and cover your ass) if you started a file (don't tell anyone - other than us, of course) with your State Attorney Generals Office. Man, I LOVE surprises.

 

Yeah I am definitely over thinking it. That's a common problem of mine, I stress out to easily.

I emailed those pictures to one of the service reps at my local Toyota dealer and the guy that got back to me said he was going to go ahead and set up an appointment and order a new frame today. I have the appointment Tuesday the 26th. So I think for my own peace of mind I am going to strip it of all my after market goodies this weekend.

He also said that if it fails (and it will) that they will give me a loaner that day. I told him I wanted a truck like mine or better and he said that it shouldn't be an issue and he'll have one ready for me on Tuesday. He also told me that I can't tow with the rental. Is it just me or is that crazy? I should get a rental that I can continue on my day to day with. I shouldn't have to be out for up to a month not being able to tow my toys around. Here in NH this is prime boating season and I'll be damned if I can't tow my boat to the lakes.


Thanks for all the input. And as I said, I stress out easily and even though I am getting a new frame out of the deal it still has me wound up.

 

Worrying about a rental I would be glad that your getting a new frame WTF!

 

That is very true, and I am very glad I'm getting a new frame. Its just I have been told the wait can be up to 6 weeks. So I am worried about missing out on 6 weeks of boating. That's all.

 

You might be sweating the small stuff. Having reliable transportation is what you are after. Perhaps a friend with hitch can oblige you.

Good luck with the new frame! Looks like you get your wish of a long relationship with your favorite mode of transportation.

 

You would be surprised. I had my frame inspected ( and looked it over myself carefully as well) every year. It just had light rust and did look a bit worse each time, but actually pretty clean considering how much salt I drive through around here. I washed the undercarriage religiously, often times daily during the winter. They hammered the crap out of my frame when they tested it too. Left visible marks where they beat on it.

Anyways after this past winter things went south really quick. Not as bad as the OP's but dramatically worse than the year before. I had one dime sized hole and after the hammer test it was like half the size of my fist. They rust from the inside out and once it starts getting near the outside it looks much worse very quickly.

They didn't take my truck immediately after it failed. I drove it for a few weeks till the frame kit came in. Lots of nice shiny new parts in that frame kit