Is the frame rust issue geographical?

Reading threads about rusted out frames. I just newly aquired a 98 Tacoma from No.Cal. But I'm guessing the frame issues are mostly from areas that use salt on their roads in winter?

 

That's a pretty safe bet. Dry areas like southern CA, Arizona, etc will presumably have much less rust to deal with then somewhere where it snows, is super humid or rains a lot.

 

I haven't picked mine up yet. It was my aunt and uncle's truck. But the truck was meticulously cared for, parked under cover and not abused at all but driven on dirt roads a lot. He kept any mud rinsed off. Now it'll spend the rest of it's life in Yuma...but I didn't look at too much on the truck the last time I seen it.

Thanks

 

Definitely check out the frame and it you decide to get it, check out Fluid Film. It's an excellent rust inhibitor that'll keep your frame nice and shiny for the years to come. Very easy to DIY

 

I have a Truck from Texas central part

2 winters of liquid brine far worse then salt

My frame needed some Tender loving Care

 

I'm definitely getting it. I'm going up in 2 weeks to trailer it back. When I get it here in the driveway I'll cruise the entire underneath on a creeper and see what's there.

This is really the biggest issue I've heard or read about so far and I'm really not too worried. There are tons of 1st gen Tacomas in the area. Shouldn't be too difficult to find any replacement frame parts to scab in if needed.

Is Fluid Film similar to POR 15?

 

I had an old Datsun bed trailer I hauled liquid supplement for cattle with. It was pretty much trashed.

 

I believe so. I don't know too much about POR 15 but from what I understand I think POR is a paint with the rust inhibitor "built in" while Fluid Film is to keep already good metal from rusting.

 

Yes. POR 15 is a paint on rust converter. I'll definitely look into Fluid Film. We do have alkali here and , while it's it not usually an issue, it can lead to problems if left unattended. Any dried mud on steel corrodes pretty quickly.

 

I live in N Cali. and my 2003 is very clean in the rust department. There is a little surface rust on the inside of the front and rear bumpers but that's it. When it comes to rust, you can see a difference between vehicles from the coast and those a few miles in land. My previous 22R truck had a rusted out cab top because the paint failed and accumulated dirt trapped moisture.

 

Once you get it home attend to any rust issues you should be fine.

I hope this truck was no where near the coast ??

 

The truck is coming out of Ukiah. I also grew up in Ukiah and went to high school in Ft. Bragg (Ca). There is quite a contrast in weather.

 

To answer your initial question, yes it is mostly a geographical issue, even the frame rust warranty from toyota was only issued in affected areas/states. Of course if one drove on the beach alot or something like that then that could of course cause a rust issue even though it wasnt from the "salt belt"

 

Howdy, big fluid film user here. FF is not like POR at all. FF is wool grease. I believe it is the best product to protect taco frames. I have done it each year since relocating my SC truck to MA and not had any rusting on the frame. in 3 years. (Yes it is gross and anytime you have to work on anything underbody, you get real dirty, but I'll take it over rust). If you have any questions about using FF let me know.