Opinion on undercarriage (2001)

Hello all. I'm a new member but I've been lurking for some time now. I'm interested in a 2001 double cab, but it's located in Pensylvania and I'm in Georgia. I'm trying to gauge if these photos should be any cause for alarm. I realize in person is the only way to really check, but I'd like to know if it's worth looking into further. I've read about the rust issues with these trucks, and this one has lived it's whole life in PA. Based on the VIN, it did receive the anti-corrosion treatment in 2012, and it's apparent in the photos that something was sprayed on the frame. The dealer is affirming the frame is solid with no issues. Based on these pics, what do you think?

 

Looks good in the pictures... but like you said the only way to really tell is in person

 

That spray can hide a multitude of rust and cracks.

 

I need the "swat" test. The fame needs to be hit with a hammer as well to judge the frame condition.

I also think someone has just given that frame a "krylon overhaul" It looks like the new paint on the frame was sprayed to hide rust issues.

Can not endorse.

 

Koditten, I put the VIN into the Toyota owners site, and in 2012 this truck had the anti corrosion spray applied by the dealership. Based on other pictures I've seen of this process, this is what it looks like after a couple of years.

 

Holler up in the PA thread and see if someone can go put a hammer to that frame.
I'm with Kirk on this.

 

That would have been nice to know ahead of time. That is a bonus. Mine had the coating applied, and I'm not impressed that it does much.

The only thing I can say is check junction where the front rear spring mount is welded to the frame. It is one of the 1st places to go.

 

My thoughts.
You are in GA- I would not go North to look for a truck. Hold out and you should find something near you that you don't have to question.
Transfer case leaking that bad- does not indicate an owner who was on top of issues when they arose.
Whatever you decide- best of luck in your search.

 

That location was bothering me as well.

As a former owner of a roached frame (3X), I like to think I got some good experience with the issue.

 

Thanks for the help so far. Forgive the question, I'm still new to this frame stuff, but what are you talking about in the 2nd pic?

 

Near the rubber muffler support, that section of frame resembles what we have found to be compromised frame steel. It looks like it could be crumbly, rusted frame steel. You would be able to tell in an instant if you thumped it with a hammer. It would have a very dull, thud sound... and you might actually be able to hammer thru the punky metal.

It is great that they put it up on the rack, though, so the seller must have some degree of confidence in the frame.

My last Tacoma was getting put up on the hoist (the hoist in my signature pic) to do an oil change. I was slowly lifting the truck and happened to glance at the space between the box and the cab. It kept getting wider and wider as I lifted the truck. I never got the wheels off the ground. I chickened out and lowered it down, grabbed my phone and called the wife.

Hon, going Tacoma shopping, this one is never going on the road again. The truck had 300k on it. It owed me nothing.

 

Nope. I would pass. Hold out for one that has lived it's life in the south, you'll be glad you did. I looked for several months before I found mine in Texas.

 

id pass.

 

it really does look like someone spray painted the frame to cover rust. i would pass just because of that.

 

They didn't take good pictures. You need to see the area between the gas tank and frame. The attachment point at the frame and rear spring. Also find out if the gas tank skid plate was replaced. If the gas tank skid rusted to the point it was replaced likely the frame is worse than what is shown in the pictures.

 

Thanks for the help.

 

You mentioned a dealer. Is this a Toyota dealer selling the truck?

I had the same though about pic #2. Need to see more of that area, and the leaf spring and shock mounts. The gas skid is in very good condition for a rust belt truck, so may not be original. But OEM skids are expensive and not likely to be replaced impulsively. Same for the engine skid.

Overall the frame looks decent otherwise, but it really needs to be inspected in person, by someone familiar with the frame rust issue. I wish my '03 looked that good. I've also been through the frame warranty program 3 times, and my '03 is still under warranty for another year.

 

Ghs57: it's not a Toyota dealer. I found it on eBay. The seller has over 1100 reviews and only one negative review. The rest are all outstanding. They have numerous transactions on eBay. There are over 25 photos of the truck, and the fact that they put in on the lift for the undercarriage photos seems like they aren't trying to hide anything. Someone mentioned it looked like they spray painted it; while that may be true, it would be the crappiest coverup job I've ever seen. There are numerous places where rust is present so I don't believe they sprayed over anything. My local Toyota dealer checked the vin and everything checks out with the anti corrosion spray in 2012. I'll see if I can have someone inspect it.

 

Looks like the transfer case had a bath in it's own fluid... The rust is pretty prevalent - even with surface rust, it makes cleaning things up a pain.

 

First of all anti corrosion spray (what Toyota was doing under the recall) doesn't prevent the frame from rusting through. This is 2001 so the spraying the frame that was already exposed to road salt for 11 years did not make the frame like new. What probably happened the PO wanted to be sure that the frame will qualify for replacement when it is completely gone (I'm just guessing because this is what I would do). Unfortunately the frame was not replaced and the extended warranty time for it already passed a year ago. That truck obviously have seen a lot of salt in the past (look at the front breaks shields) and the rust is showing up through the black cover-up. If the black stuff on the frame is dealer's coating then they did shitty job by applying the stuff over rust and this shows up now.

Two things are needed: Checking the amount of metal in the frame for example by hammer test and checking the condition of the frame tube from the inside by inspection camera for example. If not possible then I wouldn't bother. IMHO.

BTW, is it the picture or transmission rear seal is leaking?