How to tell if frame has been replaced on a Gen1

Newbie here, how does one tell if the frame of a Gen1 has been replaced. Picking up a 03 Taco this week. Owner tells me it was done before he bought it for a dealer six years ago. Truck is in great shape for the year and has a long maint history. I have not gone under it for a visual check but looking into heel wells and felt some of the rear frame it looked good. Where would the frames on this Gen 1 start to go bad, where should I look to make sure that the frame is in fact good. Thanks for any help.

 

might be able to run the VIN on a Toyota website for verification of replacement

 

Run the vin on Toyota's website as mentioned by @GQ7227

You're only going to check it out; don't set yourself up to believe you have to purchase it if you've yet to inspect the truck.

In this day and age unfortunately, there are a lot of dishonest people.

 

i ran my VIN and i am still on the damned original frame (insert proper emoji)

 

Can someone post a link? I looked but could not find anything about past frame replace
ments. Thanks again.

 

Don't believe what the seller tells you about the frame untill you have proof of it. Go to a toyota dealer and give them the VIN, they'll check this out for you. Or if there isn't one nearby, to go their website and enter the VIN -> https://www.toyota.com/owners/

Also, new frame does not mean it is rust free... These replaced frames are as prone to rust than the old ones, so you better take a good look at it, even if it looks ok from the wheel wells. The worst areas for rust is where the leaf springs attach the the frame right behind the cab, and the inner frame rails by the catalytic converter and the gas tank.

 

Eastwood company in PA is going to help me keep it that way

regarding the leaf springs area...
is this an external or internal problem?
i have some totally rotted pics from a recent salvage lot observation that I am trying to study where the heck it all started, the epicenter if you will
same ? for the cat and gas, inner or outer problem?

 

If the frame isn’t a rust bucket, does it really matter if it has been replaced??? Having a new frame doesn’t increase the value over another truck that otherwise has a rust free frame.

Just inspect the frame for yourself.

The new frames are IDENTICAL to the old ones, so they are just as susceptible to rust as the old ones.

 

Toyota will probably tell you otherwise in my recent experiences

 

I have seen threads where people (incorrectly) assumed the new frames were impervious to rust, and the new frames rusted out, too.

A new frame doesn’t mean you get to ignore your frame.

 

Toyota will probably tell you different, from my recent dealings with them anyways

*** i am so sorry i just repeated myself there

perhaps I have been talking to the WRONG people at Toyota


i mentioned the one thing I learned from you on TW and the dealer have NO CLUE what i am talking about!

 

I have no doubts they would tell you they are “improved,” and in actual fact they probably aren’t “identical.”

As far as I’m aware, though, they didn’t really address the main issue and use a different coating or manufacture process to “fix” the glitch with the rust issue.

I have no personal experience with this issue, just basing off what others have posted about.

 

I would almost prefer the original frame in good shape run down the assembly line over a new frame put together by a tech trying to get shit done.

 

exactly...just check to see what shape its in. Does it looks like a 6yr old frame or an 18yr old frame? your in New Hampshire so heavy winters (and rock salt) there, so you should be able to tell the difference...

 

Crawl under the truck, look for something like this......

 

Let me answer one by one:

Then take time and read this:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-tacoma-buyers-guide.156943/

Run the VIN on Toyota Owners website or check at the Toyota dealer. By VIN they will tell you exactly when and if it was replaced under the extended warranty.

I hope you will do check the vehicle yourself in person before you hand over your $$$.

Never ever believe what the seller is telling you. Even if he/she shows you papers, double check if what the paper says is true or relevant.

Toyota's always look great for the age unless they have been abused or involved in accidents. I've seen pictures of great looking and running Tacoma with cab and bed mounted to Swiss cheese that was masked with paint or undercoating.

That's not enough. Replaced frame or not you need to check it with a hammer. And also check if the frame is original - we've seen frames that seller claimed to be "replaced" but in fact they were repaired or frankensteined from different frames and parts.

The first perforation usually is showing at front mounts of leaf springs, but there may be other places that will show the flaking. The best is to actually look inside boxed frame (endoscope) because frames start to flake from the inside just above the front leaf spring mount.

But even when truck was qualified for frame replacement years ago and indeed got new frame it will have many other areas rusted badly the were not covered by the frame replacement warranty. Every bolt and nut will be bitch to deal with. Skid plates, bumpers, some body panels, shocks, brake or fuel lines if not replaced will present a challenge.

Not to scare you from the purchase, but to help you get out of the "buyers tunnel vision".

 

how does that exactly happen?

 

Drive to work in the northeast...

 

it just looks like its affected from the heat being near the cat

 

Unlikely, frame was gone behind that near the shackles also.....the other side exhibits no rust at all. Still running strong at 308,000 to date as a daily driver.