Will this Qualify for frame replacement?

So I just bought the truck and found out that I am covered for a frame through early October. I crawled under there to poke around a bit and found that the rear section was very thin. I pulled on it a bit and was able to bend it and it actually tore with little force. This is the lower portion of the c-channel behind the rear leaf spring mount. Does this qualify for a new frame? Here is the pic:

Thanks everyone. First time poster long time reader.

 

I would say yes

Call your local dealership and get a appointment for an inspection asap

 

Holy shit. Yes. Call ASAP.

You need to have had the frame previously undercoated by Toyota to qualify. DO NOT drive that!

 

I agree. Structural integrity looks to be compromised.

 

Take it in.

 

Thanks, I will once I get my power steering lines in from Calmini (great place for used/clean first gen parts) so they can swap the rack when they do it. I'll post back with verdict. Yes frame was sprayed years ago.

 

You'll find mixed responses to that statement. I had a copy of the memo that covered the frame replacement, or made no mention of having to have the frame sprayed or be the original owner. Both have been reasons for people to get passed over in the past but according to the factory people i spoke with, wasnt a toyota requirement.

 

I don't know if it my old person eyes or if that pic is severely out of focus... lol

I remember reading somewhere it's supposed to have some number of dime size (or bigger) holes. So might want to take a screwdriver in there and make a few holes... just to be sure...

Definitely get in there and get that fixed asap. You're one of the last people to be eligible.

Keep in mind you're going to have a ton of other stuff that's rusty too...

 

Your frame is worse than mine, and I got approved.

 

Correct Indy,
My new tacoma was never sprayed or at least logged in Maint, but it was approved.

 

Sorry for the blurry pic. The area in question is in focus. It's the bottom part of the c-channel that is paper thin. So anywhere on the frame that rusts through qualifies? Even way in the rear section?

 

Only reason I am asking here and not asking Toyota is because I got it inspected a few days ago. They found nothing, but I found this after only a little bit of prodding around.

 

Who inspected it? Stevie Wonder?

Take it back where ever you got it inspected and hold their hands while you do their job for them and point it out, lol

I remember some people saying there were specific spots that had to be rusted through, but I can't be sure on that.

Take it back asap, and be the squeaky wheel. Don't take no for an answer, ask for manager, etc...

 

You still have few days to work on it. Maybe with a help from some acid to be sure

 

Previous treatment with corrosion inhibitor (or whatever Toyota called it) only applies to vehicles that were in about 20 rust belt states. Those owners received notifications. Other areas of the country are not held to that standard. Don't intentionally damage the frame, but the areas to check are just in front of the forward spring hangers, usually on the inside edge of the frame. Also along the inside edge beside the gas tank, and on the other side, around the catalytic convertor.

 

Just took the taco in for a frame inspection. Pictures have been sent in to Toyota. The tech, who was great, said that he doubted Toyota would likely pass the frame and not replace it because the rot, which IS greater than 10 mm, is located behind the rear leaf mount. Since it is in this section of the frame, it will not be approved for replacement.

I did not think location of the rot mattered. Does anyone have any input here?

 

All is here: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/MC-10091609-5448.pdf

 

Squeek louder before time runs out.

 

All the looking should have been done pre purchase.........

However, if there is a specific spot they freak over, whack it with the round end of a ball peen. I'll bet it penetrates immediately.

Also, if it was not inspected inside with a borescope, it really wasn't inspected well. Since more rust from the inside out than the outside in..........

DO NOT screw up and miss the drop dead date, or you are going to be out a vehicle.

 

Here's a couple of examples of how they inspected the frames. I don't have anything specific to 2001-2004, but at least you can understand roughly what they're looking for.