Anger, frustration and heartache!

Knock on wood I've never owned a bad Tacoma. Hope I never do. All my Taco's
have been rock solid and I've owned a 1986, 1999, 2006, & 2012.

 

How big were the holes in the frame? I feel like they should have noticed the other issues on the frame replacement.

 

Yes. I've made more than one ill-advised car/truck purchase and proceeded to lay awake in bed asking "Dear Lord, what have I gotten myself into?", while feeling panic and rage at my own stupidity and the dishonesty of other people. Ultimately though, I've had to take the perspective that everything happens for reason and I need to deal with it as best I can and, hopefully, learn something so I don't make the same mistake again...

 

Holy shit-the-bed, Fred! Kick that sumbich to the curb before you stroke-out, pardoner!

 

Few thoughts, peer to peer.

Your 2008 experience should have been a precursor to your 2014 purchase

Yes, you made a big mistake in 'assuming' things would be better.

It's not clear if you bought the 14 new or used. If you bought it new, burden of neglect in terms of preventative maintenance falls on you. If you bought it used, lack of a pre purchase inspection by an independant agent falls on you.

Tip

Find an honest independant shop to help you maintain your replacement vehicle.

Since this is your first post here you may not know that ones like yours are looked at with a bit of skepticism. If its honest injun, truly sorry for your mess.

 

Sorry for your troubles.
If you live in the rust belt, rust, or it's prevention, is a fact of life. I have owned three Chevy trucks in the past, and they have all had extensive rust issues. I have learned through out the years that rust prevention is the way to go. I used Ziebart years ago, but was unwilling to pay the additional $50 to $100 a year to have them do their annual touch-up, and therefore continue the warranty. I paid for that decision, when the rockers started to rust through, and they said "too bad, so sad". Now, I do my own rust proofing (Fluid Film, but there are several that will work). If and when I get to the point that I can't crawl under the truck to do the rust proofing, I'll find a shop to do it for me.

 

This. Rants without sufficient background is just screaming into the void. OP, if you would like help, this could be more productive. If just a pointless rant, let the shitshow continue.

 

Your vehicles must be exposed to an awful lot of corrosive material -- probably salt, either on the roads or from the ocean, or both. You've got a lot of good advice here so far regarding things you coulda done, shoulda done, and what to do next. Sorry you are dealing with this, glad to say I am not. I'm 71 and on SS and I still crawl around under my 2005 Tacoma, which happens to be rust free. Oh btw, are you gonna stick around and let us know what you do, or was that just a one time blow-off-steam post?

 

Get this patriot some fluid film

 

This rant almost sounds like the result of lack of early detection/maintenance of the issues or ignoring to repair them in a timely manner before it got worse. I believe most would detect leaks fairly quick especially if its related to the loss of brake fluid. Sorry about your experiences but you will still have similar if not worse different issues going with "American steel made vehicles." Even on a limited budget, basic vehicle maintenance can't be skipped. I had a 92 toyota , 2004 Tacoma DC, now '05 Tacoma DCLB, never had any issues. My other '98 Jeep wrangler is a different story.

 

Same here. Owned a 2002, 2006, 2012 and now a 2020.

On all 4 combined. The only thing I've had to pay for other than regular maintenance was 1 battery.

 

I too am older. I lived through frame replacement on my old 2003TRD and sold it to a local friends son. He loves it.
I thought I was done with trucks but 6 months later purchased a certified 2016 4wd. I have done a bunch of simple mods. I did however check out the frame which had been “treated” per the recall. I have read a lot of posts here about ac condensation dripping on frame causing excessive rust.... I will resolve that as shown in that post once the weather warms up (20” snow and in teens now) I will also crawl under and treat the frame. Still deciding on product. CFC or fluid film or Rust oleum.
Fix it and treat it. This problem is not limited Toyota.

 

Look at it this way Toyota maned up and replaced frames the others didn't. Yes they all rust. The frame in my 2011 is still black I live in Maine it gets FF every fall if there is a hint of rust any where it get sanded and repainted. If you bought a used truck it's all yours other wise you were good for 12 years.

 

I am driving a 2007 Tacoma - 14 years old. Yes, I got a free frame replacement a couple of years ago. In the past, I've had a couple of Ford Rangers and a Chevy S-10, and none of 'em lasted more than 10 years before rotting to pieces. Whatever problems some people seem to have with Tacomas, 'American steel' is not the answer. Ask for a frame replacement on a Ranger or S-10 that's turned to swiss cheese, and watch 'em laugh.

 

I feel for this guy. The problem can be seen in his first post. Camry's are unibody vehicles that are subject to special rust prevention treatments at the factory, zinc treatments, galvanization of the body before painting. If anyone is old enough to remember the first unibody cars of the early '60s and how bad they rusted out you'll understand. Actually, later on, '70s/'80s new car sales literature touted and showed how the manufactures began treating their unibody cars to prevent rust thus extending their life. High strength steel, a zinc treatment, (galvanization), and then several coats of paint starting with zinc-rich primer.
Like my mother would say, but I'll change the year, this is 2021, and manufacturers know how to treat their vehicles to prevent rust. A vehicle frame should be treated just as a unibody frame as it could be a safety issue. Whether you live in the rust belt or along a coast you have the same environmental effect, exposed to a corrosive environment.
I worked for a major manufacture, first as a welder, then in quality, (25 plus years), and I found out even when the operators/assemblers complain about how something is going together or the quality of components, in most case little is done until sales start to fall or the purchaser threatens to go somewhere else. Even floor quality support had little influence over engineers. Bean counters had the largest influence until the consumer started to go somewhere else.
I purchased my Tacoma used knowing the Tundra frame had rust issues and a couple of months after I purchased mine I received a letter from Toyota stating mine was on rust watch. I guess never assume anything. At my age, I doubt I'll be purchasing another one and when someone asks how I like it I tell them. I tell them, I like the way it handles, mechanically it's been good, it seems to have a robust engine and transmission, but the frames have a rust problem. Then I go on to explain the areas to watch out for if they buy one. My frame has been thoroughly treated with Eastwoods cosmoline stuff, Fluid Film, and Woolwax. I still have several can of Woolwax for tough-up. My frame seems to be in good shape because of my preventive rust treatments.
My rear bumper and receiver will have to be replaced shortly because of flaking rust. I'd be skeptical of towing at maximum load with my tow receiver.

 

Iron rusts, no matter where it’s made.

My experience:
I bought a 2008 in PA at 198k miles and inspected it carefully and checked its records to see what owner did. They got CRC from Toyota under the campaign. However there was surface rust appearing where CRC was flaking. Furthermore the tow hitch was totally rusted out.

In all other regards truck in excellent condition and well maintained by one owner. So I negotiated price down and took the chance.

Turned out to be a great buy. Bought a tow hitch off TW which was in better condition to replace mine, and replaced bumper support in rear with new OEM part since mine was crumbling.

Later, my truck qualified for free frame replacement in 2020 and now I am enjoying a virtually new truck.

If I didn’t get the frame I probably would have sold it before leaving the state.

My advice is don’t blame. Think, use caution, adjust and move on. There are always options. If you make a mistake, just learn from it.

 

Bummer about your truck.

BTW, careful with that username. You might trigger someone.

 

Read the history on Tacoma frames. Dana (USA) sold out to a Mexican firm in 2010 as an asset sale and paid Toyota 25 million for rusty frames they were American made. I have no ideal how long the Dana frame stock lasted but I did get a letter from Toyota stating 12 years from date of purchase so I'm good 2023. Mine is pressure washed and FF every spring it's still black.