Fuel tank fell out of the truck...

Plastic tank

Go for it and share your results.

 

Completely rusted through fuel tank stap's,you need to maintain your truck better.The straps very well could of been okay at the time the frame was replaced, the owner is responsible for keeping their truck in good running order.

 

When I do an oil change I spend 5-10 minutes rolling around on a creeper and looking around under the vehicle for anything amiss. I'm sure there was a several year visual warning that these were failing due to the rust.

 

I had no idea.

 

Heck I'd slap a set of roller skates under it, attach a bungee cord and call it a success

 

Is there a reason why the OP could not make a junk yard part collection. Even if he had to buy new straps it seems to me that it would be the cheapest route. It was the straps that broke, not the tank so why spend $$ on new tank?

 

Maybe running a ratchet strap or two wouldn't be bad insurance?

 

The speedi-dry on the ground makes me think the tank has a hole in it.

 

Unfortunately I think it blended in with the rest of the rust. I didn’t really realize what I was looking at

 

Noted.

 

Why would you report a failing part due to rust which should've been maintained by the owner?

Those straps are literally on every Toyota truck and SUV and I've never seen one of them fail for being straps. Being rusted and wasted... That's another story, of course anything will eventually fail if left to be eaten by the elements long enough.

 

At least the front did not fall off....
Watch " The Front Fell Off" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/3m5qxZm_JqM

 

I just replaced mine. The rear failed where it could not be inspected unless the plastic "skid" was removed. The front wasn't bad at all but I replaced it anyway. I am still not impressed that the dealer reinstalled the old straps when the frame was replaced but maybe that's on Toyota? Cheap parts that could easily have been included and done at the time of the swap and seemingly prone to failure especially in northern climates where most of the frame replacements occur. I specifically requested that anything questionable be brought to my attention to be decided on for replacement, the straps were not. Less than 20k later, the failure occurred.

 

That's because its more protected from salt spray/rust being more tuck up under the cab/bed of the truck.

 

20k is long enough time too go from good too bad in a rust climate.

 

Replaced my rusted tank straps last year and by this thread I'm glad I did. I always thought this was a possibility, unlikely as it may be. The tank straps are cheap. $40. As long as nothing else is damaged, eg fuel lines and tank, it's a quick easy repair. Replace the bolts while you're in there. Given the rust expect some bolts to break and need tapped out.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...gen-tacoma-today.6499/page-9473#post-21905994

 

Good on you that you actually check your truck for possible rust problems.

 

Assuming all those miles were in the salt months. They weren't. I also make an attempt (though mostly in vain) to hit the car wash and blast the undercarriage.

My thoughts are that such a crucial, yet inexpensive part, that is being removed and reinstalled anyway, could be in the best interest of Toyota to provide with the frame.

I'm speculating that the frame replacement "package" that Toyota provides was intended to limit what dealers would have to asses and/or bill for labor in the swap ie. the LCA's, lines etc. and what would make sense to connect to the frame for shipping. I assume a box of spares could be problematic.

 

Some parts should be made with stainless steel, frankly. The two straps in stainless, riding on polymer. A few dollars more.

 

While mines didn't rust out, my gas tank strap was being slowly carved away from my leaf spring bracket.


It hasn't broken (yet), but if it's just $40, I should get it replaced. I've since cut the bracket down so it doesn't hit anymore. This was what came with my HS 3 leaf progressive AAL (which HS said they have since addressed on their AAL's).

Edit: Just ordered them from an online Toyota parts dealer. Came out much cheaper than Rock Auto since Rock Auto was charging $41 for shipping to Hawaii.