2015 Taco with CRC applied, should I even consider buying it?

Hey guys, I'm new to this group but have been looking for a 2014/2015 Tacoma specifically. I live in MA so one of my main concerns is the frame, everything else I can take care of myself. My question is, should I avoid trucks that have had Rust Prevention CRC applied? In my head this means that the truck was rusted enough to where it needed this coating. I haven't heard many good things about it either. So I was looking for some input on whether or not to even consider buying a 2015 for $20k+ if the frame is already on the way out.

 

Per the Toyota service bulletin, if it’s NOT rusted to the point where the frame needs replaced, they apply the CRC to prevent it from rusting further. Anyone who’s taken their truck in to get the bulletin done, has had their frame replaced or CRC applied.

 

"If the frame is already on the way out" makes me think that there is visible corrosion and holes in the frame. That's one thing, and me personally, I wouldn't go for a Tacoma (or any vehicle for that matter) unless it was free.

That said, there are a bunch of people who preemptively apply filming chemical products that act as preventative corrosion inhibition before rust appears. So it's worth asking why the CRC was applied - as a preemptive measure or reactionary.

 

Unfortunately the one I'm looking at is being sold at a Honda dealer so I assume they won't know why it was applied. I guess it's wrong to say "it's on the way out" I more meant that I didn't want a truck that was rusting under the coating before I even bought it. It's easier to prevent rust before it's already eating away at the frame. I guess I'll have to get under the truck and really look. thanks

 

Do you believe the coating actually works though? I've read bad things about it, seems like more of a bandaid than an actual fix

 

If you’ve got the VIN, you can search the Toyota Owners website and see it’s service history

 

In the salt belt, they apply that to all trucks. They will inspect the frame, and if its fine, they spray the crc. If the frame fails inspection, they replace it. Part of the frame warranty campaign.

If you fail to get the inspection/crc done by a specified date, your frame no longer meets warranty requirements and your sol if your frame fails down the road.

I wouldn’t be concerned about this, assuming you can confirm it was performed by a Toyota dealer, and the rest of the undercarriage looks good.

 

Thanks mike, I'm gonna probably go look at it today and thoroughly inspect the undercarriage.

 

Being a fellow Massachusetts resident, I would be more concerned if the 2015 Tacoma didn't have the CRC applied. I had the CRC treatment applied in 2014 and aside from working under my Tacoma the rust compound has held up well and doing its job. I would be more concerned with how well the front internal box section was coated than the exterior of the frame, as that is where the perforations from rust start.

 

Is there a way to inspect this?

 

Boroscope

 

That's an excellent way to get an idea of how well the internal front box section is holding up, some you can use your cell phone.

 

OP - for what it’s worth, I had the CRC job done on my 2015 and the tech asked me how I kept the frame in such great shape. I told him I apply fluid film twice a year. They did a great job with the CRC (it includes several frame plugs) and he told me to keep using fluid film.

if the frame checks out, I would just apply fluid film couple times a year and not worry about it.

 

Pending in service date frame is now covered from rot thru 10 mm hole until say end of 2026-2027.

 

I intend to apply fluid film but I guess was curious to how well it works if the frame is already rusting. I guess these are all hypotheticals but I don't want to get myself into a mess

 

Toyota’s first attempt at the frame coating didn’t work, it was that black stuff that cracked and peeled off.

 

When you look at the frame, the area to play particular attention to is on the inside near the catalytic converters. That is where most of the holes tend to develop. If the CRC spray is white, then it's the new stuff that isn't supposed to dry like the black stuff used on the early 2nd gens. Provided the TSB was followed, there should also be plastic plugs closing off the open area of the boxed section of frame right around where the front seats are. Any questions, take photos while you're under there and post them.

 

Have they since changed using this method?

 

Thank you so much, I'll check that area and come back with pictures if I go later today. On the carfax it says it was done last April. So it's been a year

 

Yes, they now just spray the inside with this white stuff and then apply some plastic plugs. They don’t treat exterior of frame at all