Frame replacement in Maine

Hey guys, I recently was under my truck doing some exhaust repairs and found I have a decent hole in the frame where the exhaust hanger is welded to the frame by the mid pipe connection. Now I'm excited because I want to get the frame replaced under the recall, and I know I have a few months left before it expires on my truck (an 09.)

So my question is, any folks who have had their frame replaced in Maine, which dealership did you go to, and how was your experience? I'm not going to use Downeast Toyota in Brewer, they've screwed up too many things on my families vehicles in the past. Any advice/recommendations are appreciated, and I'm willing to go out of state to have this done too if there's a dealership that gets glowing reviews between Rhode Island and Maine.

 

Have it inspected and get a few things done while the frame is off. Things like the rack & pinion are hard to do in the truck, but simple and no charge when the frame is out.

Rear shocks and the 4 main cab mounts I would buy new and have them changed 100%

 

I'm actually very surprised and happy with the body of the truck. For 250k miles and being in Maine the last 5 years, the body has virtually no rust.

The rear suspension will be getting redone anyways with some aftermarket stuff, I'm planning on putting in a turbo engine and lowering the truck a little bit when that happens. If they offer them free of charge I'll definitely do it, but from what I've heard they try to nickel and dime you for part replacement when doing this process. Brake lines and so on.

 

Brake lines are included in the frame replacement. Make sure they are changed. Talk to the foreman to address concerns.

 

That's good to know. One of my close friends had his frame replaced at downeast two years ago, and they told him they needed to replaced the rear brake line to his drivers side drum. They said they could do it for $400 with new fittings and labor. He told them not to, and when they finished the frame replacement he went and picked it up with a trailer so he could do it himself at home for less than a quarter the price.

 

Ok thats not included, its all the main hardlines in the frame.

 

Rockingham Toyota in Salem, NH did mine, and did a great job. I would highly recommend them. I met with, and talked to the tech that does all the frame replacements for them before having it done. Guy definitely has the process dialed.

 

Thanks for the review! How did you get to talk with the tech beforehand?

 

So your frame rusted through in only 5 years?

 

I don't know where the truck was before that period. It's the original frame, I just know that the previous owner to me had it in Maine and drove it every winter for 5 years without undercoating it. It used to be a fleet truck for a security company.

 

Just ask the service writer to bring you back to answer a few questions.

 

Simple yet effective. Did they have any extra things they had to replace and billed you for?

 

No.

They did make a few suggestions on what would likely need to be replaced, and suggested (as others have done here) to replace them while the work was being done, but everything checked out well. I did have them replace my shocks, and springs (I brought them fully assembled shock/coils). They would have charged me $300 labor to assemble the shocks.

I bought the truck from them 15 years ago, and they are the only dealer I have ever recommended to anyone. Everything has been above board with these guys.

Unrelated story, but back when the truck was 6 months out of warranty, I asked the service manager if there was anything they could do about a little paint bubbling around the lug holes on the 2 of wheels (was barely noticeable), and he went out, looked at them, and said "I'll order you another set of wheels". That stuck with me.

 

That's top quality service I gotta say.

 

Quite the odd service. Install shocks for free, order new wheels for free but ass rapes customers with a ridiculous $300 charge for assembling coils.

 

I know prime Toyota in Saco has done a bunch, and from what my service advisor lead me to believe, they want to do them. I say this, because he told me to stop taking care of my frame.

 

Highly recommended replacing intermediate steering shaft while the frame is being done. It’s a known problem and PITA to do otherwise.

 

Yes it is....

 

I was planning on it. When I bought the truck that u-joint was seized nearly solid and I thought it didn't have power steering. Soaked that u-joint in penetrant for two days and spray grease. Finally got it free, just have to grease it every couple months

 

2nd prime in saco. They do hundreds. Did mine . Long list of new parts. Went very well no problems. Stacks of frames there waiting to be installed. I recommend th m highly.