what is normal frame rust?

what can I expect for normal rust on a first gen Taco in California?

 

I have no idea what is normal for California, but knowing what my frame and many others look like here in the north east, I'd use a frame like the one in your picture to get the truck cheaper where you live and never look back. A little surface rust gets everyone excited and it is fine.

 

Each area will be different. Any truck in New England are going to be a lot worse than that of Arizona

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9lt8qxnpzky4i6c/AABeXQW23M3sOkuG1e4Oy1zHa?dl=0

hope these pictures are better

 

That looks pretty rusty to me. But I haven't been around here long enough to know for sure.

 

Must have spent time near the beach. I would call that heavy frame rust however it would probably be considered still good for Ohio or the Northeast.

 

I'd get that worked on/replaced asap

 

I don't think it's that bad. Needs some attention though. I've seen much worse in the Kansas City area.

 

it looks bad for california, but looks all like surface rust to me. nothing some paint wont fix, go hit it with a small hammer to make sure. where in socal are you?
not sure that truck has been in socal for its whole life.

for comparison, here is my san diego truck (lived its whole life here)

 

There is a thread on here about frame rust and the guy who started it basically needle gunned his entire frame and used this stuff that is known as a great rust converter/metal protector.he brought it all down to the metal and rolled this black stuff on. It came out amazing! Someone else might know the name of that stuff.

 

It's called POR-15

 

Wow to me that is a Virgin !1

I had one (2000) that came from Texas it was perfect .

2 years later it needed some tender loving care

Any in this generation being exposed to winter chemicals (salt water) unless your after your frame 100% at some point it is going to need attention

 

I agree woth paranoid. Being from oregon and having 2 tacomas that is fairly bad for cali, mine are nowhere near that. Infact both of mine have basically no rust whatsoever. i wonder if that truck has been in the salt somewhere at some point....

 

Its got alot more than mine and im in nebraska now

 

the truck is in Tahoe but I don't know if they use salt up there. thank you all for the comments, it really helps give me an idea of what I should look for.

 

Its really too bad that the frames are such a weak feature of these trucks and such an important feature at that! There would be so so so many more tacos on the road still of it weren't for Dana fucking Toyota over on those shitty azz frames they manufactured!! Also imagine how much less we would have to pay for a good clean tacoma!? They would still be priced reasonable, instead of stupid through the roof overpriced! Dang it anyhow!!

Lol rant over!!

 

for a comparison to others see post #1, scroll down:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rust-prevention-treatment-consolidation-thread.355928/

 

If there are no rust perforations, don't get too excited. Some here see ANY rust and they recommend replacing the frame. Have it checked out and drive it.

 

There is no such thing as normal frame rust aside from a bit of surface rusting. With 1st gens it's not the rust you see on the outside its the stuff inside that boxed section of the frame.