Frame Replacement - What additional cost to expect from the Dealer?

Just looked it up - my apologies, it's an automatic, not a CVT.

This is all personal opinion, but for a daily driver, it just doesn't make sense to me. Northern MA has a lot of congested roads with little to no on-ramp space. When you hit it, you want the truck or car to respond. I noticed with both the 2017 Camry and 2018 Toyota that the transmissions have a serious lag to them. Same thing happens when you use the "S" mode to engine brake - it's like a processing lag with a browser loading a webpage. In the driving conditions around here, it's a great way to die. I've spoken to other owners, and they agree that it is a timing issue - the transmission is not responding to the pedal.

If others like the automatic on the 2018 Tacos, that's awesome. I'm just not liking it, at all.

 

What was the end result? Or is it still ongoing?

 

Rock auto has our blower fans for a reasonable price, my fan bearings are shot so they rattle and its on my list of random stuff to replace. Now what i cant understand is how mice get into the airbox, the entrance under the cowling isnt like a huge open hole. They must be an intake or vent somewhere that is stupidly placed behind the firewall thats easily accessible for them. Im unsure what natures miracle is, but every few months i like to spray the shit out of the cabin filter intake with lysol and cycle all the settings. Gets rid of any weird funky smells in the system pretty good. The cowl intake has like foam junk in it so it could be that making the stink. Spray everything down with lysol or something, and you could try a new blower fan.

Also this window leak, are we talking wet carpet? Or like watching drips come down the window.

If you need any helping hands (or nose) im sure im not far from ya. 3-4 years or taco experience so far for me. Maybe we could do that coffee thing haha

 

I agree the transmissions are weird and laggy now. There is a guy out there that did a tuning mod thingy for like 800$ and it completely changes the torque curve and responsiveness of the trucks shifting so its not always hunting for gears.

 

Keep your truck,you dont want a 3rd gen.also it dont cost $7000 too fix a leaking window.

 

$17000 wtf

 

Thanks for the head’s up on the smell from the air vents. I think I will do just what you suggested, and try to get that conquered. Natire’s miracle is an enzyme that actually consumes the organic components of pet urine. It helped the carpet.

Yeah, wet carpet on the passenger side is the symptom I’m seeing. Haven’t noticed any water down the window, but also haven’t driven it much.

More on topic, and to support what the others are saying here - the frame shouldn’t cost you a dime, absolutely correct. And their advice about seriously considering what the dealership notices before putting cash on the counter is sensible. I made out fine because I’m working with decent guys at the dealership, who would let me see my truck and make my own decisions. And my tech was personable, and smart as a whip.

Thanks for offer of help, @MurderedTacoV2 - I will be sure to bring “coffee” if I take you up on the offer. A buddy of mine has an 80’s Toy pickup he hopes to lift within MA legal specs, so maybe we could meet up for some wheeling. I’ll act as an expert passsenger, lol. We’re thinking of having a fluid film party in the driveway this fall, as well.

 

I am down for a fluid film party! That was on my list of stuff to do this summer as well! But i know some spots to wheel at only 30 mins up I95 or so

 

Dealer fucked me pretty good.

They replaced the broken shock, but I had to escalate my attitude to 'asshole status' until they finally gave in and replaced it. I started out with a timid 'b-b-but...it wasn't broken when I drove it in...? I mean, you guys did your initial inspection when I dropped it off, and didn't mention the shock, so I can only assume it was somehow damaged during the work'. After some back and forth, I ended up along the lines of 'look, you broke my shock. Plain and simple. It wasn't broken when I drove it in, and the truck passed VA state inspection less than 2 months ago. Replace it or we're gonna have problems. I don't appreciate being extorted.'
They never bothered to call me about the broken shock. I only discovered it when I popped in after 3 weeks of no updates and saw my truck, finished, up on a lift and noticed the broken shock. It had been broken about 4 days prior.

Then I picked the truck up, my brake pedal went to the floor, alignment was trashed, they broke my locking gas cap off but left the broken stub in the filler neck (I couldn't get the cap off and had to get towed home because I ran out of gas), power steering fluid wasn't refilled, and plenty of other stuff I'm sure I haven't even discovered yet.
Just yesterday, I went to change my M/T fluid. About 1/3 quart of black soup water came out. "Well that would explain why it's so loud..." I know the trans fluid likely isn't their fault, but I kinda thought maybe they would check my fluid levels, ya know? I mean, even Wal-Mart claims they check and top-off your trans and diff fluid when you pay for the 'Pit Crew' oil change for $30.

I went back to the dealership, pretty pissed because I had to get towed home. They replaced my gas cap and told me to leave.They admitted breaking my gas cap, but denied everything else and refused to do anything to fix any of it - even the brakes. I called Toyota Corporate. The representative 'noted my claims' and re-connected me back with the dealer rep who, 24 hours prior, already told me 'we are declining any further action in this'. So the dealer did nothing to fix anything, Toyota Corporate did nothing. My only option left is to do small claims court.
Not worth it, just a lesson learned.

 

Man that sucks . I would be livid

 

So sorry for your experience, @lynyrd3 . I hope you're able to find a way to compel them to do the right thing.

Just to close the loop on my frame replacement, I had the exact opposite experience. Pictures on the Newcomer's thread I started. No surprises or gimmicks, and it works great. I got to meet my tech, he was a great guy, and from what I can see they did a good job. I'm all the more thankful, reading horror stories like the one above.

 

Have not had my frame replaced yet

 

Ah. Sorry, misread.

 

Just picked up my Tacoma from the dealership after it got a new frame along with suspension upgrades from @HeadStrong Off-Road including 5100s all around, HS coils in the front and Deaver AALs in the back. I also had them replace the right rear wheel bearing while it was there and they gave me a discount on the job. No up-selling, no extra charges for anything and it looks like they did a pretty good job because the truck drives nicely. The brake pedal is firm but the brakes feel weak and I almost rolled through the first stop sign, although that may just be me readjusting from driving a 2017 for the past two weeks. Everything looks in order although I was surprised that they didn't replace the rear leaf springs. I had the spring recall done a couple of years ago so maybe they only give you new ones if you haven't had the recall replacement done already.

I'll post an update after I've had a few days to drive it.

 

They can fit through any hole big enough to fit their head into...which for a mouse can be a damn small hole.

Rats can typically fit through holes no bigger than the size of a quarter.

Can't find it at the moment, but there's a thread on here with pics of mesh that people have fitted under the cowling to stop the rodents from getting in.

 

It was @fast5speed

 

Ive done that already as i live in the woods a bit. They got in once and i was alllll done

 

Just got mine back, don't think my truck will ever be the same. My brake pedal also went to the floor. The mechanic said my calibers were seized, wasn't doing that when I dropped it off. I've also got grease in my cab, missing bolts and the bulb to my fog light was hanging down, also leaking at the case to the 4wheel drive. That's what I've found so far. I had to fight with them to even get a truck for rental. They said my frame had a pinhole and wasn't safe to leave the lot. Then the manager said the frame was $5000 and to be sure they didn't get stuck with it, they'd be keeping my truck. Even though it'd take 4 weeks to even get a frame in. I'd think twice before having the frame done. I'm not happy with toyota at all.

 

Sounds more like a dealer issue than Toyota's. Sucks though and sorry you had such a bad experience. I'm lucky and have two Toyota dealers nearby. I'm still figuring out which is the worst of the two.