Undercarriage protection

can anyone confirm if the 3rd gen tacomas have the undercarriage sprayed with any type of protective coating from the factory?

 

It's coated in something. It's not bare steel. With that said, every previous version was coated with something and still rusted. Whatever they use isn't very good.

 

Damn
I was hoping they would have improved it by now. Any good alternatives?
Or is something like 10 cans of undercoat the best bet. I saw on here someone used something called spray film but you can blast it off with a power washer....

 

Fluid Film.

Do a search, read all about. Lots on threads on application and maintenance. Doesn't sound too hard, just a bit of effort.

The late 2 gens and 3 gens aren't old enough to determine if the quality of the metal has improved. 'Coatings' are just that. Nothing more. Eventually salt and moisture will create problems if you don't take extra care.

"Undercoating" as in that spray rubber stuff, is just a trap that make it worse.

 

Cool thanks will do

 

I was told at the dealership, they dip the frames in a couple of things that have some sort of reaction, but could not tell me anything more than that.

 

Fluid film, easy to use and inexpensive. I found about 4-5 tiny rust spots on my frame when cleaning the underside where rocks had chipped the frame paint, used oil based paint to touch up those spots and fluid filmed the entire frame and underside a day later. It's a smelly mess, but I think it will do the job quite nicely for this winter.

 

Dealerships can do undercoating - though it's $$. I only got mine done because they knocked $100 off the price of it.

 

Hmm
I'll look into this fluid film

Are you talking thousands from the dealer?

 

No, hundreds. I think I was quoted $300 or $400 from the dealership or something like that. In hind site I may have gone elsewhere to get it done cheaper, but they did a good job.

 

Ok not too bad
I'll check all potential options
The truck will be brand new
Kinda want to do it once do it right

 

A lot depends on where you're driving it. Snow and Salt?? Near the Ocean?? Keep it clean and you should be good to go. I traded my 2006 on the new one and it was fine living some years in Jacksonville, FL 4 miles from the beach.

G.

 

I think anything decent - if you live in the salty North, it won't be once. I know with Fluid Film you have to apply it every 1-2 years.

 

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

 

I'm in Long Island New York
So plenty of winters and beach driving

 

Keep it rinsed off underneath Chris. A little bit of everything up there for sure.

G.

 

Funny thing is my truck didn't even come in yet, but it's never too early To start the mod list

 

Rust check, fluid film, krown, anything that stays a liquid and doesn't dry/harden. You'll want to either buy the appropriate application gun/wands to apply internally in rocker panels, bed panels, doors, tailgate, frame, fenders etc. Or pay to have it done at a dealer of the various treatments listed above. I know the brands I listed above a very thin and creep into the various seems and tight crevices where rust generally starts. Spraying a aerosol can of these products is better than nothing, but you want the application to be done right and get into the areas where a can simply can't reach. I have been paying $150 or so $ for years to have my vehicles done with krown. I am buying the fluid film professional kit to do my Tacoma once the frame gets replaced and I'll do it myself and save money in the long term.
I live in Northern Nova Scotia, Canada, surrounded by ocean and harsh winter conditions.

Long Island New York means you should do this every fall.

 

Damn
What am I getting myself into?

 

My procedure doesn't change depending on vehicle. all vehicles are made of metal and will need the same treatment if you live in an area where rust is an issue