Frame Protection... Alternatives to Fluid Film

Thread is referencing plug kit for the frame holes, not for spark plugs.

 

I would agree with that statement, as all 2nd generation Tacoma's have the same plugs under the front wheel wells.

One note to the plugs kit, I would be careful about plugs other than those used under the front wheel wells. The only plugs the dealership installed after my LSC were directly under the frame behind the wheel wells and those were drain holes that shouldn't have been plugged. I noticed after the LSC, the plugs the dealership installed had bubbling around them and I removed them right away, as they were keeping the water from draining and causing more corrosion, so just be careful no drain hole are plugged from the plug kit.

 

Are you talking about a drain on the bottom of the frame (horizontal side)?

 

I'm probably in the minority here, but I've applied nothing to my frame. I just run it through a touchless car wash (with a very strong bottom blast) weekly in winter. Very little , if any rust on frame. Some minor surface rust here and there on shock mounts. but that's it. 6 Maine winters and still going strong.

 

Yes, if you look directly up from the front mud flaps, you will see small holes in the boxed section that lets any water entering the box section drain through those holes and they need to stay unplugged or you will have water collect there, causing corrosion.

 

I think Corrosion Free (https://corrosionfree.com/) is the same or very similar stuff. No smell, no drips, and a good guarantee. Given all the complaints about FF, I suggest this as a good or even better alternative.

 

I used to do the same thing and when I brought my truck into the dealership for the LSC, the dealership asked if it came from the south, it was that rust free. I would highly recommend you apply some type of undercoating, even if it's just the FF rattle cans once a year in the fall. The pay back is so huge and it's inexpensive, fast, and doesn't require tools.

 

Don't know why they would have done that. I know the pdf you sent me doesn't say to put any there.

 

After I had the LSC done, I noticed they hadn't put any plugs under the front wheel wells and had the service manager come out to look. After seeing no plugs were installed he had a person come out and install those plugs, but told me they weren't given plugs for the wheel wells, when I know they should be part of the LSC.

 

I still haven't blocked these 2 small hole towards the back of the front wheel wells and may use some caulking inside them, but they aren't critical. Makes you wonder why Toyota has these holes and what their purpose is?? Maybe in the manufacturing posess, these holes under the front wheel wells are attachment points during the manufacturing process.

Seen here with the ? marks =>

 

I've been using T9 Boeshield. Also put it on a steel boat trailer that gets submerged in salt water 25 - 40 times a year. It's the best stuff I've found.
https://www.theruststore.com/Boeshield-T-9-Gallon-P5C4.aspx

 

Thanks. Appreciate the info. Merry Christmas to you & yours.

 

Right back atcha buddy.

 

Corrosion Free makes Rust Cure Formula 3000 IIRC

 

I coated my frame with Dollar General rubberized spray in a rattle can. $5. Took about 6-7 cans. Works great. No smell. No rust.


The whole "oil the frame" doesnt exactly work as well as you think. Working in the oilfield, we oil our pipe in our pipeyards every year. It still rusts. So yeah...

 

That rubberized spray basically hides the rust that's happening behind it and by the time you see rust it's completely rotten. Fluid film, corrosion free, rust check, etc, are not simply "oil". I agree oil isn't a good rust inhibitor, for many of reasons.

 

I have sprayed my 09 every year with an oil mix and after 7 New York winters no rust to be found. And yes I know where the problem areas are, and nothing starting there. So its been working for me so far and will continue with my routine till otherwise.

 

I agree with Northern Taco, those rubberized sprays tend to trap moisture between the coating, and the frame.

 

For everyone that's posting with a method that they have found to work, don't forget to follow the instructions in the OP, and post up some pics. I want to see what your frames look like.