Frame Rust

Hi, going to look for a '95-'04 Tacoma this weekend, been noticing the frame rust scenario and wondering if Hawaii would qualify with Toyota as one of the states they're concerned about or is this a country-wide deal?

I'm kinda tossed between a 2wd Prerunner & 4x4 but leaning on the 4x4. The high prices almost scared me away but since the rest of the country is getting "bent over" and going with it, I'll probably play too, as my family has had 3 Toyotas in the past and you just simply cannot compare to them. All others are inferior, really.

Almost went to a Nissan or Mazda/Ranger, but then I'd always STILL be wishing for a Tacoma, plus the moment I'd pull the trigger on a "other" truck, a screaming deal for a Tacoma would likely present itself!

Great site, look forward to contributing!
Jim

 

hawaii is not part of the frame recall.. then again, you guys don't have any salted roads.. just find a truck that hasn't done too much play on the beach.

 

AFAIK the recall is affected nationwide.

 

I don't think so.

EDIT:
I should clarify - The frame replacement program on 01-04 models is limited to select states..

 

^ Got proof of that?

 

Nonsense. If you have one that qualifies condition-wise, they will do what they need to to get it off the road whether it is in New York or Hawaii.

Obviously, the overwhelming percentage of those affected (if not all) will be from the 'salt belt' states.

 

^ Exactly! Hell, I got the recall letter and I'm from SoCal and there is no way in hell we use salt on our roads during winter time. I'm not even sure we even have a winter time! LOL

 

didn't the toyota official announcement list the states with salt usage and it said for other states, please stand by..>

 

^ Never heard of anything like that.

 

Bo Ya! Fact vs Perception..

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/at...y-back-here-2001-2004-frame-rust-warranty.pdf

 

I bought my truck used a while ago and haven't received a letter from Toyota yet. I am registered in a southern state but live in MD now. Wonder what I should do...

 

I just bought a used one as well and I called the local dealer and they said you don't need to have received a letter.. However, I do'nt know how dealerships in non-salt states would answer if you called them about the inspection. I'm purely going by the above letter that I've seen. Anything counter to that is just hearsay.

 

I live in Iowa.
One of the states that doesn't need to do anything.
HA!!!

My frame was rusted through and I now have a new frame.
While getting some service done, my dealer told me I had a rusty frame and any perforation made my frame fail.
Any perforation!!!
I didn't have to ask.

Love my new frame!

Some of the states used more road salt than others but we still use plenty of salt here.
Heck, I can drive from my town (Dubuque) and loop into Wisconsin and Illinois (two states on the "official" list) and back to Iowa in 15 minutes.
Three states in 15 minutes but to say Iowa might not qualify is hogwash.

You have a hole in the frame, they'll fix 2001-2004 or buy the 1995-2000 trucks.
My Iowa dealer has already purchased approx. 30 trucks already.
Watched one of the soon-to-be-crushed trucks being loaded just the other day.

 

how many reports of negative experience with the car after frame replacement? There's facebook group for taco owners going thru frame replacement.. some dude claimed the alignment has been off ever since the frame swap

 

Then he should go back and have them redo the alignment.
It certainly isn't the frame.
That's new.

The cab and box are lowered back down on the frame and they have to match the cab/box bolts to the frame holes.
Rear springs are bolted to the frame.
Tech needs to have another try at it.

Take it back!
It's that simple.

My new frame drives straight and true.
Maybe the tech forgot the alignment portion.

 

This is the letter I got from Toyota a while back and it doesn't look like the .PDF one posted above:

 

Like I said in previous post... I only saw the list of states for the 01-04 replacement program.. not talking about the buyback for 95-00

 

^ Yeah, saw that as soon as I posted that, doh!