Frame rust recall

Do you have a picture of the hole?

 

Check post #3371 of this thread, which Robert uploaded a picture of the hole.

 

Here's a few different views. First pic shows another compromised soft spot next to my fingee where the inside is rotten and a crack leading to it from the exposed hole to the right. Looks fine outside but it is paper thin and I could take a SAK can opener to it and fillet my frame. Just pushing it with your finger causes deformation/flex.

Whats odd is the manufacturing hole in the top right is still thick, over 2x thicker, and shows no signs of deterioration.

 

I think what happens to these frames and why you see so many holes in that area is the salt/brine/debris getting kicked up by the front tires, with it being stuck between the 2 metal layers. The heat of the catalytic converters just accelerates the corrosion.

I wonder what the thinking was of Toyota when they made the frame of 2 metal layers instead of just one?

 

I agree. Combine with off-road use dirt and gavel fines build up inside the boxed section plugging the drain holes right below that spot and it just eats away where you can't see the damage till it's a big problem.

 

The general manager at the local dealership is helping me out after I went in there and was able to talk to him and say, all I want is for you guys to get the field rep out here to look at my frame. You guys said he is here once a week-ish, so please make it happen." They are being helpful and supposedly going to call me Monday, Feb 4 when the rep is in.

Since then I have been inspecting my frame and exposed two holes. One is where there are two factory holes in the frame on the bottom side near the catalytic converter on the passenger side. I discovered the soft spots and was able to push through them with my finger. It measures 12mm without me trying to open it any further. The next was a place along a weld joint in the Same general area. This one was VERY soft and I was able to push through with my fingers and my little six inch square blade. This measures 20mm x 30mm. It is very scary how easily I found these places that I was certain were just surface rust.

 

I can understand their hesitation with your claim. That hole doesn't look like natural corrosion. I am not saying that it isn't. Just looks "weird".

 

My 08 went in for its frame replacement. The dealership did a first-rate job. I replaced the front and rear shocks and links while I was at it. Cost me about $40 in additional labor. It rides so much nicer!

 

I want that same experience!!!!!

 

What is most concerning to me is the internal rust. The outside looks fine, but is paper thin. It's not thicker than a soda can, and I can take a can opener to it peeling it back.

 

So, went under the Tacoma and examined really closely around the front cats, etc - and I must be one of the lucky ones. There is barely any rust at all on my frame. Barely any discoloration. I guess because my truck doesn't really get hammered with salt where I am though it does sit outside. Left and right side by the cats pictured. Some on one side but should come off pretty easily with a Harbor Freight needler and acid. I think I am going to get under the truck and rust proof the frame and remove the tiny rust spots. Just to have peace of mind.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/frame-restoration-did-it-myself.368199/

 

Yep. Road salt in northern states is what kills these trucks.

 

With the Tacoma's long history of frame rust, Toyota should advise owners of this and recommend applying an undercoating like Fluid Film externally and internally, for people living where calcium chloride/brine is put on roads. All the owners manual recommends is hosing down the undercarriage, which as we have all seen isn't enough to stop corrosion.

 

100% agreed. And dealer installed undercoatings should be a thing of the past. A previous owner had it done and today I looked under my 2013 and found a piece where it was chipping off. What was under it? Rust. My whole frame probably has accelerated rust because of something done by the dealer to prevent it.

 

I had my frame undercoated with CRC by the dealership in 2014 and is holding up well. The reason I think mine is still looking good is that after the CRC undercoating, I have applied Fluid Film over it every fall to keep it soft/waxy and not flaking which could let moisture and oxygen get to the frame.

 

That's crazy man. I hope you get some help with this.

 

Do these help. Just got my new sweet frame.

 

Toyota did not build the frames in question. Dana Corp!

 

True. My cousin was a master tool & die maker at Dana and helped make the tooling to form those frames. Toyota spec.ed a high strength steel that was not as corrosion resistance as other alloys. He warned his boss and the Toyota engineer concerning this problem at the start of production... they did not seem to care??

 

I think it's better to leave a vehicle outside in cold climates, especially where salt is used because it will experience fewer freeze/thaw cycles. Salt is much more effective when the temperature gets closer to thawing out. Salt is less effective at turning ice to salty water at lower temperatures, like below 15 F (-10 C) or something like that.