Will '03 and '04s have same rust problem?

Like many others, my 2000 4x4 extra cab is being bought by Toyota. It showed no rust underneath, the frame coating was still good on the outside, but when they hit it with a hammer they poked a 2" long hole through it. It rusted from the inside out and I never had a clue.

I really like the first gen. Tacomas and have quite a bit of gear (floor liners, seat covers, grill guard, step rail, fiberglass cap w/rack, etc.) that could be stripped off and installed on another one.

The rust buyback affects 1995-2000 according to the letter I got, but I've read many accounts of people with rusty '01s and some '02s.

The question is: If I buy a 2003 or 2004 Tacoma, am I just setting myself up for the same rusty frame scenario again a few years down the road?

One poster said the frames were made with scrap metal until 2002, and thats why they had problems. Another said all first gens through 2004 will eventually be affected, the newer ones just haven't shown the problem yet.

I like the simplicity and smaller size of these trucks vs. the second gens, but I am questioning whether its worth the trouble to get another one.

Thanks for any thoughts or advice you can.

Stubby

 

I have an 2002 and also concerned about this. Seems that Dana Corp built our frames as well as the 95 - 2000 models. If 2001 and 2002 are being inspected, should Toyota not offer the same deal for these owners????

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f1200e2

 

The specific model years / VIN's targeted by the recent campaign are based on a particular problem. Supposedly, Dana didn't properly prepare / treat the metal on certain (not all ...) frames they sourced to Toyota during that period.

 

One poster said the frames were made with scrap metal until 2002, and thats why they had problems.


Stuff like this makes me a little uneasy about buying a Tacoma, I mean they took care of the people well but still it's just the point.

 

Well, I am sure that Toyota has been crunching numbers and does not want to open this up to 2001 - 04 yet. They want these vehicles to lose some value before they move forward if at all. It may come down to a lawsuit by 2001 - 04 model owners that have been hurt in an accident, etc.... because of bad frames.

 

A Nismo Frontier owner on TW? Thats interesting.

 

say what?

 

Yes sir, Just doing some homework

 

A friend and I each own 2004's, we were very concerned about the same issue, especially seeing all the 95.5-2001's at the local Toyota dealer condemned by frame rust. We asked the service manager, who we both trust, not the typical blowhard. He explained that the rust was an issue with THE WAY THE 95.5 -2000 (AND SOME 2001) frames were built. They had holes in the sides of the frames, and no drains in the bottom. Junk (up here salt from the road in the winter) would get inside the frame and they would rust from the inside out. Particularly bad between the cab and box on most trucks. He said when they changed the design of the frame in 2001 (some were, some weren't) there doesn't seem to be a problem now. He said all 2002 have the new frames? I checked my frame and it is totally boxed with no holes, but I have a double cab. My friend's 2004 x-tra cab is totally a channel...so I can understand (at least in our cases) why we won't have an issue. Hope this helps?

 

my 2002 has holes in the sides. I need to really look underneath to see if it has drain holes?