PSA: if you have the option, park your truck facing uphill

I was covered in water and dirt at the time so wasn’t inspired to take photos. Here are some “after the fact”

This first photo shows the two plugs I removed to access the front boxed section. They are “one time” plugs and broke on removal. My dealer had them in stock and I think they were a couple bucks each. They are a #4 size plug as per their exploded diagram.
Note: Ignore the rust on the weld. I will get to that ( Toyota!)



This photo below shows the frame drain holes with the grey drain fitting removed. These are the last drain point in the frame. On level ground, your frame will drain out the grey plastic fitting that sticks into this square hole. In my case, my driveway is at an angle, the puts the lowest point of the frame ahead of these drain holes, so my boxes were filling with water and silt, due to me pointing nose-down whenever I parked my truck. When I removed the two bolts holding the Catalytic converter guard (the round tube) water poured out the holes and the bolts were rusted. That was my first clue something was amiss.



This next picture shows the plastic guard that Toyota installed during my “frame rust campaign” service. The plastic guard has a foam gasket on the bottom edge that would attempt to prevent water running forward along the C-channel into the boxed section. The red circle shows where the foam gasket is. The part is pretty loose fitting, attached with only one screw, so I’m not going to put my faith in it. My dealer did not spray that white snot in my boxed section. If your dealer does apply the snot, it will be ahead of this guard. I have no idea what people with 2018 and newer trucks will find. Please chime in here if there’s anything to know.



In conclusion:

A problem with these C-channel frames is the bottom is folded back upwards, so the frame acts like a gutter. If you park nose-down, any water, salt and silt will run forward into the box section. If it makes it way past the drain, it will collect in the front box section, like it did for me (yes my drains were clear.....it just runs past on either side). Toyota has identified this issue, hence the plastic guard with the foam gasket, and the white snot injection into the front boxes on certain trucks.

What is total bullshit:

I went to my dealer at the request of Toyota Canada, to have my frame inspected. My dealer told me the service was complete and my frame did not require the CRC (white snot) application. They told me they installed the plastic frame guards. What they really did was encase a pound or two of mud, silt, and pebbles in my front boxes behind their plastic guard. Super lame. I haven’t spoken with the about this yet. I’m on the fence as to wether it’s worth it.

 

If anyone follows my lead and checks out what’s going on inside their boxed frame sections, please drop a note here. Maybe I’m the only one who found a developing issue. I think not, simply based on what Toyota has implemented in terms of frame inspections and changes. I would be curious to see what others find.

Maybe just a bunch of people with clean frames and broken plastic plugs? (sorry )

 

Since I’m ranting. A final note.

The red arrow shows where the final drain hole is in the frame (has a grey plastic fitting - shown with fitting removed).

The blue arrow shows where the final drain hole should be, in my opinion. This would ensure the frame always drains fully, regardless of the angle of the parking job.

 

Thanks, @Stocklocker .

I will check in there when I do the upcoming oil change.

 

2...3 months max

 

My taco came with that yellow goop from factory and there was something else done to the front of the frame, some plastic covers? My truck is at work, ill take a look later on to double check.

 

Nothing collected in my frame however when I chopped my cab mount it was completely caked with mud and silt, I only noticed after cutting the front face off... Had I not cut it open it probably would have rusted the frame in that section over time.

 

Yeah. My experience may be because I have a 2017 that lived its life without the plastic covers until recently, and I’ve done thousands of kMs on gravel roads. Maybe the plastic covers work better than I think. I’d be curious to know what you find if you took a peek behind the cover.

 

@Stocklocker , just read through your thread. The plastic covers in your pics is what i have, i remember now. Came like that from factory.

 

Where do you see the yellow coating applied? Behind the cover, or along the frame rails?

 

Yeah. The cab mounts are another location that seem to collect silt. It’s hard to flush them out properly.

 

I have never seen toyota having a structural problem with rust in the boxed section. I've always seen them occur where the frame is double layered, and rust forms between the layers. These areas actually flex when driving, rubbing against each other, knocking off surface rust, and allowing the rust to penetrate further and faster than vehicles in the past.

 

I honestly dont remember, I will take a look tomorrow. My truck is at works parking lot at the moment.

 

I guess maybe it just rusts on the surface, but is fine. However, if what you are saying is true, I can’t fathom why Toyota would be recalling all the 2G and 3G (up to 2017) to have the front boxes fitted with plastic shields, and in some cases filled with CRC. They are specifically targeting the box sections in this campaign.

 

Maybe that is the most likely entrance for tire spray. Further back tire spray is more likely to hit the side of the frame and drip off. If it enters those holes it can flow down the channel of the frame and find any crevice, crack, or scratch it can hold on to. This is just off the top of my head. I live in Socal, so I don't really know what rust is...

 

It's a double edge sword guys. Need the box for no flex and strength. Need the c channel for flex. Drill a hole where a drain hole is needed and you weaken the structure.

Best if everyone just moves south. I did.

 

So get drilling