2001 Tacoma Frame Rust PHOTOS

Ok, here are a few quick photos. I didn't crawl under it. These are from the back near the spare and leaf springs. I'll post some other photos later. The shine you see underneath is the Rust Stop Oil Treatment I had done the last 4 years in a row. I feel the frame would be toast by now if I hadn't done that. the rest of the truck is fine. No rust except a little inside the driverside door down low. Very minor. Should I be concerned about this? Truck has 52,000 miles on it and I am the only owner. Thanks.

 

Can you take it in to the dealer for the rust "test"?

 

Please see post below. I tried the dealer last year and Toyota HQ. Both are giving me the run around. Frame seems to be getting much worse. I'm pretty upset as I planned on keeping this vehicle a long time. Garage kept, 52,000 miles, washed on regular basis. Limited driving in the Winter.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/62384-2001-tacoma-frame-rusting-away.html

 

Thats horrrible good luck w/that

 

that acually isnt that bad at all their has to rot not just serfice rust

 

That is embarrassing.

Once that stuff starts it really hard to stop. I think, unless there are holes in the frame toyota isnt going to do much.

Lesson learned. Dont but another toyota.

My wifes 07 almost 50,000 dollar sequoia is well on its way to looking like this.

 

I even sent some photos (US Post) to Toyota HQ asking for an opinion. Never heard back.

 

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but it doesn't look that bad to me. Looks like surface rust from the photos, no all the way through rot. I'd hit it with some POR 15 and keep driving. Just my opinion...

Mike

 

thats not too bad. it may look terrible but there no holes or anything that would reduce the structural integrity. my '04 with 25k on it looks about the same.

all the joints on my exhaust system are rusted to shit but the frame is only surface rust. theres a recall out now which i was told is going to replace my frame and suspension by the end of 2010

 

OK, are we missing the picture here????

If you have been the original owner since NEW ,Toyota WILL re-frame or Treat your frame at THEIR cost....somebody is "playing you"...

That is "surface rust" BUT that is why Toyota has 2 options available....AND if that was treated by another companys "rust proof" system I would be BS...My '02 has 49k on it,always lived in NH ( we love to salt our roads) and was NEVER like that...my frame had 2 weak spots at the rear spring mounts...Front end and box rails were spotless BUT I still got a re-frame....

Not sure WHO you are calling at Toyota BUT here is the TSB # 1-888-270-9371 and have your 17 digit VIN # with you when placing this call.....

I do hope you get this resolved BUT you are only the 2nd owner( that is 2 too many ) to be given the "run around"....I can name 10+ "local" people who have been through both the re-frames or "treatments" who are VERY HAPPY ....
What other company would do this,NONE....Don't buy another "Yota"....Be serious,I'm on #18 and will take them to the "bank"


S

 

Truth be told, in my climate with the crap they put in the salt, i have seen the rusting with a number of the car makers. I have been paying attention since my 2000 was part of the buy back.

I can only comment on trucks, as those are the ones i can see a lot of the undercarriage on without getting arrested.

Within the last 4 days, i passed a F-350 on the side of the road whose owner was as part of a road crew. His truck was parked along side the road and traffic filed by at low speed due to the work. That F-350 had to be no more than 3 years old, judging by the grill and body style. The entire frame was orange inside the front wheel well due to surface rust. Granted it only looked to be light rusting on the surface, but thats pretty much the way it all starts and the entire visible portion of the frame looked orange as a result.

I saw a full size GM truck with consierable more rusting and that one had to be within 5-6 years old. That rusting was consistent with what is shown in the photos able from where i could see.

...also saw what looked to be about a 6-8 year old Ranger in a coffe shop lot and that frame looked worse (where visible) than my 2000 that was bought back.

At least in the NE, that is some nasty $#!+ they throw on the roads, and if the steel quality has gone down in general as well, i would think that would be across the board (most /all makers) as car makers need to compete and it most would likely determine the same general areas for cost general cutting.

 

I'm the original owner. Bought it brand new. Thanks for the phone number. I'll try calling on Monday. By the way, there are other areas of the frame that look much worse and the spare tire area is more than surface rust. The cross member is very thin from rust. I just didn't feel like crawling under it today. I'll post some more photos later.
Thanks

 

So the re-frame only applies to the taco if it is still with the original owner?

 

STLharry,

In this instance We are "Clarrifying" points to help him get his Toyota repaired...I can not say "how long" you need to have owned the Tacoma BUT I do know folks were trying to make $$$ off the 1st round of "Buyouts" and Toyota did not go for it....
If you are NOT the original buyer,would it hurt to check with a Dealer...hell no.....nothing ventured,nothing gained

And now those who did get the TSB done are finding their p/u's are worth much more for trade in or retail sales.AMAZING what can happen when you trust the folks that build your purchases ..


S

 

I heard the reason why the inspection involves hitting the frame with hammer is because the rust begins on the inside and works its way out. Scary. I bought mine brand new and saw a patch of rust the size of a quarter behind the rear wheel. Did not think anything of it. I take great care of my truck it has little rust but I still want a new frame. Im never going to sell it.

 

Oh ok. Well I was just asking because I'm planning on buying an 01-04 when mine fails rust inspection next year. Want to make sure I can get a new frame when it rusts out down the road.

 

looks like the titanic rust sucks man

 

Geez, must be the 10 millionth time I'm posting this. 95.5-00 truck buy back at 1.5x KBB value. 01-04 frame replacement or rust proofing at dealer/Toyota discretion, but as they say YMMV.

 

Here's more info: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/6549-95-2k-rust-help-toyota.html

 

Like whats been said that doesnt look like there is anything wrong structural...YET. If Toyota doesnt do anything for you, document it. Scrape the loose paint and rust off and get POR-15 or chassis saver (pretty much the same stuff) and thoroughly coat the whole bottom of the truck. If god forbid something happens you can sue the shit out of toyota because they refused to do anything.

Comparing to fullsize chevys and fords isnt fair either. The difference is steel quality. It seems the company that made frames for toyota and Mazda (ford rangers) used low quality steel which rusts BAD. A chevy 2500 frame is made pretty tough. the material does rust but mostly surface rust. It seems that the surface rust on toyota frames starts pitting and damaging the structure of steel much faster. Might be steel quality might be steel thickness, maybe both.