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

I’m thinking about it, but think I’ll just park facing the other way.

 

Did we annex Canada?

 

I'm watching this thread for thoughts. I am thinking of a new truck in the next year or so and I'd like to rust-proof as best I can the day I drive it off the lot before any dirt gets a chance to get anywhere. I'm planning on keeping it a long time so I want to protect it.

 

find the nearest place that does fluid film, wool wax or something like that and schedule an appointment for when you plan to pick up your truck. You might even have the dealership take it to be done and then brought back. I would prefer to have someone I know do it, and not skimp, but getting it done is better than not.

 

I haven't checked my frame yet but I know this happened on my last F150 (a 15). That frame was fully boxed and every now and then I'd stuck the hose in a hole and flush all the shit out. Tons would come out. Usually sand and small rocks.

 

I bet if owners did a frame flush with a spray nozzle as you did they would would see debris flushed out, seen it on every Toyota I've owned. The '08 4Runner I bought used had a rust-free underbelly but when I got it in the garage and poked a finger into the frame side openings there was silt packed into the frame rails from front to back and all of the crossmembers. Colorado truck since new and not a big deal in Colorado since the air is so dry, BIG deal in more humid environs.

 

Off topic , my sister found out today that her 2010 Chevy Equinox that she bought new and now only has 68,000 miles on is pretty much toast because of rusted rockers and more . She loves the car and always took care of it and was really bummed out and mad . Nice write up OP .

 

it's not too off topic. 99.99% of cars out there are vulnerable to rust. It's just more known to Tacomas because they once used a bad supplier for the frame and they rusted extraordinarily fast, and to the point where some trucks would literally fold in half.

 

@Stocklocker , im picking up my truck tomorrow, ill have a look. Havent had a chance yet.

 

Let it rust and let them
Pay for it?

 

Certainly a valid sentiment, but just not really how I like to roll. Toyota will only pay for a new frame once a 10mm hole is rotted straight through. I’d rather just preserve what I got.

 

I agree fully. I just don’t like having to pay XXXX dollars per year to preserve something that has a lifetime warranty. I hope it does rust through and they get me a new one or get fudged.

 

Yeah, but Fluid Film isn’t that much money, and having your truck yanked off it’s frame and put on another one, complete will all your rust-laden suspension components, is a sub-optimal solution no matter who is paying. The truck will never be the same.

however, I totally see your point, and agree that’s one way to slice it.

 

Washing your undercarriage used to be considered normal maintenance. Now most people don't do more than oil changes...

 

So i have the plastic covers in the same spot as you and the goop is on both sides on the inside the frame by the gas tank and exhaust. Its mostly behind those brake lines. Its in between where the metal is sandwiched as well.

Not the best pics but here you go. Ill get better ones later on.

 

My truck has the black sealant between the two layers of the frame rails like yours show. I wonder if you have that white snot injected into the front box sections?

The passenger side plastic cover is super easy to remove. I wonder what it looks like ahead of the plastic cover on your truck?

 

I was told the reason I didn’t need the CRC treatment is my truck has that black sealant even though it’s a 2017. Still doesn’t make up for the the overall poor design and the dealer putting in the plastic guards without cleaning the boxed sections out first.

On your truck, with the plastic guards installed from factory, it might be a totally different story. It would depend on how well those guards seal.

 

I will take a look later on today.

I live right by the self car wash. In the winter, before i park in my underground, i would pressure wash my undercarriage every single time. I also do it everytime after i go camping/offroad. Im pretty anal when it comes to my frame. Its only 2$ for like 2 mins. Its kind of dirty underneath right now but it looks much better than couple weeks ago

 

Which models did not have the plastic protective covers placed in the frame behind the front tires?

My 2017 came with them, and after a long offroad trip through Arizona and New Mexico a couple winters back, and around a recently rained on dry lake out here in California, I pulled them and the frame was packed full of dry silt and clay mud. That stuff was like pancake batter when I went through it so it got into every hole in the frame and even was packed up against the oil pans on top of my armor skids. It took a day to get most of it off.

 

Yeah, they definetily should have cleaned out those sections first, but what can you expect from 99% of the dealers.