1st Gen Tacoma Frame Replacement

04 Tacoma SR5. Getting frame replaced under Toyota frame replacement program, since it was coated in '09, Toyota is footing the bill.

What parts are covered under this warranty replacement?

 

Sorta depends on the dealer from what I read around here.

Things safety related, that are not normal wear items (things like shocks/ball joints), but that are a break hazard during the work, like fuel and brake lines come to mind.

 

When mine was replaced (exactly 1 year ago), here's the thread where I posted what they replaced (under warranty):
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/frame-replaced-by-toyota-and-what-else.503870/#post-15738596

 

Mine got new lower control arms, leaf springs, fuel and brake lines.

 

Talk to your service guy. If there's stuff you've been meaning to do on the truck, now's a good time. There's a lot of stuff they'll do for no labor charge while it's apart (shocks, front coils) since it's actually easier for them than carefully removing and putting back the old stuff. There are other things they'll do at greatly reduced labor. Some dealers will even let you bring in your own parts if you want to "upgrade." The dealerships love doing the frame swaps, and if you're nice to the service guys you'll be amazed at how much they're willing to do.

 

Long reply, but...
I replaced my frame about 6 months ago under similar circumstances. After reading about numerous frame replacement nightmares (eg the dealership presenting a multi-thousand dollar bill for endless extra charges in addition to the frame - bolts, leaf springs, control arms, spindles, etc; see link below), I was bracing for a rogering and tried to protect myself from it preemptively. However, my experience was remarkably positive. They replaced all of those things without an extra charges.

The issue appears to be what they interpret to be "part of the frame," and this appears to be 100% subjective to each Dealer's interpretation. My dealer, for example, evidently considered most things that were bolted or attached to the frame to be "part of the frame," and this included lower control arms, leaf springs, and all of those miscellaneous bolts. But why lower and not upper control arms? or skid plates? It's a slippery slope and it's 100% subjective. I'm very pleased with what they gave me, but I don't think they had any obligation to do this. And apparently some dealers make the customer pay for everything that is not the actual frame. see: http://tacomaproblems.com/2015/11/drive-it-at-your-own-risk/#comment-170

The problem is that the dealer can't tell you what they will need to replace until they have taken it apart. And then, well, therein lies the subjective crapshoot regarding what they will make you pay for.

So...my advice would be to try to speak with other individuals who have had their frame replaced at the dealership you are speaking with. Considering the very steep charges you are potentially facing vs the very significant benefits for having items like control arms replaced for free, it is definitely worthwhile to have the replacement done at a dealership with a reputation for doing the right thing. If your dealership is hesitant to contact other customers for whom they have done the replacement, maybe that's a bad sign?

 

another example of the random dealer subjectivity - mine told me my fuel lines were crap and gave me the option to replace for about $120 or leave in the old ones. I paid to have them replaced (the only extra charge, in fact). And they left in the old brake lines, which I later replaced myself while doing another job because they were so horribly rusted.

 

It all comes down to the dealer and where you live in the country.

I am guessing the more liquid Brine you see the more parts get replaced.

It seems to me rusted parts come out much faster with a Hot Wrench then trying to loosen rusted hardware

 

Being located in Maine, we see our fair share of brine, and rust is a BIG issue up here. Dealership ordered the frame, and told me it would be a month before it arrives. I'm hoping that the dealership replaces the items listed (leaf springs, lower control arms, brake lines, fuel lines) and I'm hoping they don't try to charge me for them since they are part of the warranty. Hopefully I get a new rear bumper out of the deal, but only time will tell. I will be sure to update the progress, and what they do for me, at what cost.

 

You won't get a new rear bumper out of the deal.

 

Even though bumper is rusted out, and bumper brackets bolted to the frame are the same? I think once they take it apart it won't be able to be reinstalled

 

I've heard bad things from locals about this dealership, after I started the frame replacement process. Contacted toyota to see if I could switch dealerships, but they said I could not since the process was already started by said dealer. I'm just covering my bases to ensure I dont get raked over the coals.

Friend of mine said they tried to charge him for leaf springs, lower control arms, brake lines, and fuel lines.

 

I would want to know just what is being replaced with the frame in writing .

Not that you get a $2500.00 or more bill when you go for your truck

 

Are you saying I could get slammed with a
bill?

 

Toyota has a sheet that says what will be replaced during the service campaign. Rusty bumpers, skid plates and axle housings are all on you. If your start requesting they be replaced be prepared to pay for them.

Toyota is not going to install a new rear bumper, if you're lucky you'll get new mounting bolts to hold the old rusty shit back on the new frame

 

I wasn't counting on toyota to replace bumper, but leaf springs, control arms, brake and fuel lines, I will certainly expect.

 

Different parts of the country seem to replace different things as part of the Frame replacements .

As the dealers are all Independent

 

I’m in the same boat. Mine was coated in ‘10, and its covered until the end of this year under the extension. I have a tone of heaving surface rust and pealing, especially at the rear of the frame near the spare tire is. The crossmembers are nearly rusted out, although no visible “perforations”. I’ve read somewhere that if there’s any rust at all after being treated, the frame will be replaced. I’ve read so many articles on this I don’t remember where I read it. Any truth to it? How bad was your frame even with the coating?

 

I have an 03 that had the frame replaced in 2012 at a dealer in Vermont. It definitely got all new brake and fuel lines on the frame, rear leafs, and lower control arms. The brake lines between the body and frame on the driver's side were all replaced too. They didn't replace the brake lines on the rear axle. I have heard of a few people getting a call with a laundry list of "while we're here" items that they think should be done at the same time. But that's totally up to you. Sure would be a great time to install a new clutch! Literally would be minutes to do with the drivetrain out of the truck.

 

Was your frame treated prior to being replaced by Toyota? If so, what condition was it in, holes or just excessive surface rust?