Dealer Frame Swap *UPDATE - Complete!*

Yeah, I was looking for a lift too, I was just waiting for their answer. I'll have to think about it and look around for the best setup for me.

 

I think I should of bought a used 1st generation, because Toyota aren't giving the 2nd generation owners who had their frames sprayed a 15 year warranty, so if we get a perforation now, we basically have a large paperweight.

I told Toyota, I have a neighbor that has a 2004 Tacoma, that had the CRC sprayed. My neighbor said, "the spray just came off and was then given a new frame". I even said, the 2004 will be warrantied till 2018 and we are warrantied to the ended in 2014, for the ones that got it inspected early, so 9 years less of a warranty for the 2008. A 2008 inspected in 2014 had a 6 year warranty on the frame, while a 2004 had 15 years, so how fair is that with 9 less years???

 

Toyota must not have filed a lawsuit against the frame manufacturer for the newer Tacomas so they can't afford to be as generous with the warranty.
I know Toyota received a $25 million settlement from Dana Corp. for the 95-04 Tacoma frame rust issues.
When I was shopping for a replacement Tacoma after my 2000 Tacoma got bought back I decided to look into the newer Tacomas.
What I noticed was Toyotas solution with the 2005+ Tacoma frames was to use c-channel instead of boxed frames.
The problem I noticed was instead of a thick gauge c-channel they sandwiched 2 thinner gauge c-channels together.
The Tacomas I looked at that were only 5 years old had noticeable rust between the 2 c-channels so I didn't trust purchasing one.
I decided I would stick to the 01-04 Tacomas since their frames would still be covered by the 15 year warranty as long as they were inspected in time.
Definitely not fair for owners of 05+ Tacomas, Toyota should be ashamed.

 

Just to be 100% sure (the dealers I've talked to think it ended in March), my 02 Tacoma with frame issues that was sprayed is still covered, right?

 

There's a whole thread of 2nd Gen owners who had their frames replaced due to the Dana lawsuit, myself included.

 

15 years warranty if it was sprayed, I am pretty sure about this.

 

When they tell you March, they are talking about the March 31, 2016 date, that all 2nd generation owners had to have their frames inspected by, so you aren't part of that. You have a warranty till 2017 and are definitely within that cutoff date = new frame for you.

 

Thanks. It's sad to know service departments of the two largest Toyota dealers in my city don't know this.

 

I agree, they should know the product they sell better than us, but it's the other way around most of the time.....sad.

 

I never realized Toyota had a lawsuit against 2nd Gen frames from Dana, but that's because I own a 1st Gen and don't read many threads about 2nd Gens.
Was it another $25 million lawsuit or was the lawsuit covering both 1st and 2nd Gens?

 

See, you should have bought a 2nd Gen! All kidding aside, I have no idea how it went down. I happen to be looking through some forums about 9 months ago and saw that Toyota was replacing defective frames on 05-09' tacos. Took a look under my truck and saw it was turning into Swiss cheese. Had to wait 3 months for my frame to come but now I'm rolling in a brand new 2007 DCSB. Hoping it last me another 9 years.

 

I may be in the same situation with my 2003 which I bought new from the local dealership.. It had the inspection and rust proofing done in 2009 and just found rot above the rear wheel. I'm guessing that qualifies based on what I've been hearing. So with 262,000 miles I'm looking at a lot of extra replacement parts! The shocks, struts, steering rack were replaced 3 years ago and I have new tires but the things handles lousy unless I have some weight in the back! I replaced the rear bumper with a junk yard one and the bed has some rust, maybe rot near the front, passenger side right at the connection to the frame! I also did the timing belt at @ 160,000 miles and have the usual oil leak at the valve cover. I'm planning on investing the money to get it back in shape but I don't want to go crazy with it either!

 

From what I understand, in order for your truck to qualify for a frame replacement the mechanic must be able to perforate the frame by tapping it with a ball peen hammer with a light swing from a foot away.

 

Just get in writing that there will be no labor for other things getting fixed. I just read the other day of a member getting the shaft because of that. He was in the same situation, had a few other things replaced, and was left with a $2,000 bill.

 

Or if there are already holes in it.

 

As long as they don't think the hole was caused by an impact from offroading.
This is what they thought with my Tacoma, they weren't going to cover me because they thought the hole in my frame was caused by an impact and they weren't able to make any other holes with their hammer test.
It took me several phone calls to various people at head office before they finally agreed to replace my frame.

 

Really, those dirty bastards!! Good thing it ended up going your way, that woulda been a huge joke.

 

Alright, this has turned into quite the thread. Well, here's the update from my (OP) situation.

I had the sunroof shop take a look at the sunroof - they said it wasn't the sunroof, it was either the windshield or the firewall. Since neither of those were proprietary, I went ahead and dropped off the truck yesterday morning at the dealer. I told them I needed to have the leak fixed before it sits on the lot for several months.

They deluge tested it and discovered it was the seal around the windshield. A glass guy is stopping by the dealer on Tuesday to remove and reattach the windshield, for around $220, assuming the windshield doesn't break. Then it's around $340 total.

I also got a call back today on the frame. The frame tech looked it over, and said there's only a couple things he sees might be a problem. First is my exhaust - they're going to have to replace it from the mid-back, including the rear cat. The flanges on the cat are rusted and all the pipes are so rusted they're almost soft. He's guessing the first wrench he puts on it will twist it all apart. The service rep said something like, "The labor to replace that will only be $125 to install, but the exhaust itself will be over $1600 from Toyota... so... go buy yourself an exhaust somewhere and we'll put it in." He told me essentially the same thing for the rear bumper. It's shot and rusted and probably won't survive the frame transfer.

He also told me I have an oil leak somewhere in the engine. His best guess is it's a head gasket, but he doesn't want to fully diagnose it until he has the truck apart and can really look around the engine clearly. So there's likely some added cost coming there, but it's not related to frame replacement, just work that needs to be done.

So now I have some shopping to do. I think I found an exhaust for $200, and a rear bumper for $200, so I'm looking at a minimum of $650. My wife suggested that I check with the dealer to see if they'd have a problem with me doing my own exhaust replacement before the frame comes in to save myself $125. I'm not sure that's worth it. I MIGHT also throw in another $150 or so and get myself a TG tube rear bumper.

Also, it's also what I call "green week" in Richmond, so everything is filthy with green pollen. No reason to wash the truck, it would have been a mess in a day anyway. Later truck!

 

Wholly shit! $220 just to re seal the windshield!?!? I had to replace mine a couple years ago and it was only $190 with a new windshield. And they drove 50 miles one way to do the install at my house. Thats like charging $200 an hour labor and 20 bucks for the new goop and seal!

 

So what you thought was a valve cover oil leak might be the head gasket according to them?! What would that involve, tearing down half the motor? Also, what did they give you as replacement vehicle? How long did they estimate it would take? Thanks!