Zero Undercoating!

Picked up a '16 TRD Sport and I love it. One thing I've noticed climbing underneath her is that they have no rust protection on the frame or chassis. None.

Does anyone have any good info on undercoating? Would you recommend it? What can I expect to pay?

Thanks in advance for the pointers...

 

Seriously there has to be something on the frame. Has Toyota not learned yet?

 

Never seen a vehicle from the factory with 'undercoating'.

I've always seen it as a dealer add on, always over priced profit for them, not usually well done.

Now they are lazy, and just have a 'processing fee' to add. And sealant, scotch guard, door edge protection, etc.

As far as your frame, choices depend on both where you live and how you use the vehicle. Your profile nor your post give us any clues to that.

Some searching on 'frame rust', 'fluid film', 'frame rust prevention', etc. will give you lots of reading.

 

I cant imagine unprotected steel, that doesnt seem possible.

 

He didn't say it wasn't painted (it is) He said it wasn't undercoated.

 

Maybe it's dipped prior to painting.

 

I climbed under a 2016 a cess cab 4x2 and noticed rust color on the weld joints. Seemed a little strange to me. I understand on brake rotors this happens, but on the frame? Also noticed it around where the differential bolts together. Not sure what to think, have not looked under the competition yet.

 

I've seen rust protection from the manufacturer, just rare. If you look under the Tacoma though, it looks very naked. I'm sure some sort of sealant would be important, I just don't know a ton about them.

I'm in Florida and do light off-roading.

I'd prefer to use a product that I can do once and it be taken care of. Or once every 5-10 years.

 

I'll be calling around today to get prices and try to learn the industry standard. I'll report back, and like I said... Thx for the help and tips.

 

If you're running 1st coast beaches on a regular basis, or live right on a coastal waterway it may be worth the effort.

I'm one mile from the bay as the crow flies, and can have heavy salt air in certain conditions. I drive/park for kayak launches in some salt laden sand areas. Truck is a '13, no rust issues even worth thinking about.

If you feel the need to proceed, make sure you make well researched choices. The undercoating/sealant business is like asphalt driveway refinishing and drive by pressure washing outfits that are owned by Nigerian princes cousins. (full of expensive scam)

 

It's a toyota this should not come as a surprise Why not just apply yourself and save some money?

 

I can't wait until BlueT sees this thread. We will all get to hear his cool story again about his rusted Tacoma frame.

 

This is what I was looking for!

With that said, I'm the son of a Nigerian Prince and can offer you many fortunes if you are willing to agree to a small loan!

 

I like cool stories

 

I read up on doing it myself last night. That may be the route I end up taking. As silly as it sounds, I'm hesitant because I don't want to screw anything up. What can't I spray? Stuff like that.

I still have a ton of research to do before I go fwd, decided to start with hearing what you guys had to say...

 

bought mine used and it came with Ziebart undercoating. Ziebart is a well known company around here, not sure if they are national. there was a time when everyone thought undercoating was a ripoff and I was one of them. I have changed my opinion now. I could eat off the underside of my 2011 and it spent all its winters in Western NY (salt). I feel better knowing the under side is protected.

Carl

 

Actually, what he said was "they have no rust protection on the frame or chassis. None." and paint is a form of rust protection.

 

There were minor rusty spots on my once new 2011 at the front cab mounts. The first winter I FFed the frame and have so there after. The rust spots are still there just as they were brand new the frame is still black. FF will not "fix" rust but it will stop it from getting worse. It's steel it will rust I often wonder why no one has offered galvanized frames for Tacoma's they do for old Rovers.

 

I'm planning on tkaing mine to a local "Krown" shop. $120 for them to do the entire thing.

 

I had an old Toyota pickup (1980) there was not a single part that was not rusted it proudly sported a Rusty Jones (Toyota dealer product) rust proofing sticker it rusted out even where they drilled holes to under coat the inside of the doors.