Toyota Refuses To Replace My Frame

Yes, this. All I'm getting at is the new frame will have a finite lifespan too so why rush replacing the old one and restarting that clock any sooner than you really need to. Maybe the new frame is good for longer than my remaining lifetime though anyways. I know I'm still going to be doing some kind of rust slowing coating though, in my case boiled linseed oil, on the new one just to be as sure as I can. I'll be more OCD about rinsing down the frame a lot too. Fool me once, etc.

I don't think they'll give me another frame.

 

Seriously? I don't get the impatience. I mean, why pay a lawyer and take on a huge corporation, and most likely lose, when a year of time will probably do all the work for you? Heck a case alone can often take a year.

I mean, I know waiting sucks but unless it was coming down to the wire on the 12 year window why wouldn't you just wait another year. With the way it looks now I'd be surprised if it didn't have a 1/2" hole somewhere on it in 6 months to a year. I'm not saying I wouldn't bring in a lawyer on over 10k plus of work and parts but, not yet.

I don't disagree, it looks pretty rough, but I don't see any dime sized holes. If you get a good aggressive inspector that takes the time to run the hammer over it they might find one though.

First, I'd try another dealer.
Then, if it passes again I'd just wait 6 months or a year and try again. As far as I know you get unlimited frame inspections until the end of that 12 year period. Just be careful not to bump too close to the end of the 12 year window before getting more aggressive.

 

To be honest if I had a smallish hole in my frame and there was questionability with Toyota replacing it due to being “too small”, you best believe I’d be taking a screwdriver and a mallet to that hole trying to open it up. Let’s face it if the material surrounding the small hole is fucked, then it’s fucked. If you hammer on it and it opens up more with little effort, then congrats you are in your way to your new frame.

 

On the topic of the frame recall, did anyone get a notice from Toyota stating the recall had been changed? My father got something saying they were cutting off the recall date in January 2019, despite the fact his truck is a 2010

 

Exeter toyota approved my new frame in july. I highly recommend you give them a call

 

All the underside is in good shape, just mostly surface rust, was planning on taking a wire wheel to the rust in the summer and repainting the underside. They did replace the leaf springs as part of the recall so they are new. Worst rust is on frame and bumper. Body is in very good shape

Thank you, how bad was your frame, I will definitely do it if I get denied again

 

I didn't think I had any holes but they found one. I was approved in 10 minutes

 

I have had to go through too much bullshit for this rusty frame

 

I spoke with local dealer and asked today how many years the coverage is and they said 15yrs

 

That doesn't look bad to me. It has to be a structural problem. Here's what mine looked like.

They replaced it few years ago and the replacement looks like yours now. So I can tell you the new ones aren't any better. Keep that one as long as you can.

 

Did you undercoat the frame? I was considering spraying it with bedliner or undercoat if I get a replacement. Do you get a warranty on the replacement

 

Their 'coating' is junk. I suspect their hope was it would get them by the window of opportunity before it became apparent.

Yes, I'd try taking it back. But before you do, whack the traditional weak spots with the round end of a ball peen. And use a borescope to look inside. Which is where the rust that kills really starts.

 

The problem is that salt and water gets inside and sits there so no amount of paint or undercoat on the exposed parts will help. I have been meaning to spray it with Boeshield or some other corrosion inhibitor because I have heard that helps but everything else is rusting now too and I have bigger problems anyway. Just had to weld holes in the cylinder head because I'm a dope and never changed the coolant in like 100k miles. But that's another story.

 

Yeah I was looking into renting a small inspection camera to look into the frame for where the most rust is

 

My 2010 failed. The place that they checked was by the 2nd cat on the Y pipe, drivers side. Hit it with a hammer. It went through, thus failed.

 

You can buy a fair one for under $20 that will work with a smart phone. And take pics.

I'll bet you the dealer will never bother to look inside.

 

Take a punch and hammer on it in different places. You'll know right away if it's bad, it'll go right through. That's how the dealer tests too. Sorry but i have to laugh at the borescope idea. Mine was so bad I put my finger through it and this was only a year or so after I watched the dealer do the hammer inspection.

 

Definitely junk it lasted one winter and they got shit everywhere

 

Could you do something to stop that like plugging exposed openings or spraying foam into the frame. I don't know, I'm genuinely curious

 

I have a 2009 Tacoma and the dealer found a hole in my frame. It was safe to drive and they ordered me a new frame. Once they frame came, it took them 3 days to get it done. I didn't even ask for the frame, they just did it for me. Wish you luck!