Rust

This is my mother's 2003 tundra frame looks the same color as my tacoma fame idk I'm a bit confused

 

I want to say this W is what the 'dealer' or inspector may have marked indicating the frame was inspected?
... recall seeing something like this on mine but may have washed off after 8years
just my input of $2

 

Mi

Do i just use water and a rag and wipe the frame ? I have only sprayed water on the frame that's it

 

I've never wiped a frame down. Only sprayed with the pressure washer

 

Salty Florida Ocean air,will do that,same as California.

 

Of for sure, that's not original, but I'm talking about the smooth finish. The frames that are coated to try and hide the rust just look like, well, rust that's been painted over. Or they use bed liner type stuff and it's impossible to tell because the coating is so rough. At least this coating is smooth and clean.

 

So that's a 3rd gen, not a 1st gen. I think we can all agree they are not comparable.

1st gen original frames look like this:

 

Thanks for diagnosing what that isn't. It's tire rub.

 

You can see bare metal, and a slightly rustier mark right behind it. The rustier spot is 265/75r16 KOs rubbing at stock height, The cleaner spot is rubbing with 5100s on the middle clip (1" lift), and they currently don't rub with Kings and TC UCAs...

I also have stock SR5 wheels...

That said, the frame is a matte finish. it ain't shiny.

 

@Jamesboy2233 , how will a frame look after hot dipped galvanized?
would one then need to have it powdercoated
I am reading up on this stuff can last up to 70yrs
the zinc protects against oxidation
you are into welding,etc (i think), you will probably know best

 

thanks, I had asked my local powdercoater about this, but wasn't sure about the grounding issues,etc.

 

Mine got a new frame last year. Now it needs some body work. I might get a new bumper.

 

i got a shiny new chrome bumper earlier this year, only had a couple cracks in it
where on your truck is this spot in this pic?

 

very common where i am. that doesnt look as bad, like mine has a hole under that weatherstripping on almost all 4 doors. its pretty much seen on almost every truck here. the problem i hear from the body shop is they say i would need to buy new weatherstripping also. i'm actually nearing a schedule to get that taken care of. i posted a similar thread weeks ago about this drip channel.

 

are you talking about the rocker panels or right above those?

 

Hes BS'ing you about the junkyard stuff and the finish. My 92 has the same flat black finish and similar markings/writing on it. Its most likely inspection related from when it was being built, or arrived at its dealer. That shiny finish goes away after some time, even the 2019 4Runner we had as a rental last month lost its gloss already. The carrier bearing and exhaust may have been hit with grill paint as some time just as a protectant.

 

@Jamesboy2233 the powdercoater quoted me a bit over $800 to sand,powder,bake frame, the lower shield should be ready for pickup soon so I will ask about it again for more deets. for the hot dip process I think i saw somewhere on TW it was only a few hundert but I need to look into that again. The labour rates will be the killer unless I find some experienced TW volunteers for pizza and beer (beer after jobs done if old enough to consume) project save a taco!

 

Also, I think trucks in the southeast loose the glossiness because they are constantly exposed to high humidity, and limited salt contact each year.

 

Galvanize can be powder coated, but there is surface prep required.

 

it will be all silvery/shiny under there like them cattle gates?