Week-old Truck (2021) - Frame Rust?

I just picked up my brand-new 2021 Tacoma with 8km on it, crawled under to install a plate to protect my catalytic converters, and found what looks to be a rusty frame with a coat of paint on it…



Am I crazy, or is that a rusty frame…? Please tell me I’m crazy.

 

Must be Texas made

 

It’s pretty normal, and “probably not” rust.

See here - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...nent-welds-on-new-truck.700262/#post-24804709

 

I hate to break the bad news to you, but that truck is totaled.

You better hope you have a new truck replacement clause in your insurance policy.

Seriously though, it just looks like there was a little slag left on the welds that were just painted over then the slag flaked off leaving bare metal. Just hit it with some underbody paint and call it a day.

BTW you should look at your brake rotors after it rains if you want to see some rust. Just DONT paint those!

 

Mexicans

 

You think you are crazy now, wait until next summer after a winter of brine.

 

You are crazy sir. These are just the welds, that’s the color they are before they get painted.

 

Oof.

 

^

 

might suck to hear but just wire brush and black spray paint... got my 18 used and there was some rust on the underside... so i did it...

 

Dude, how did you find the og of that meme?!

 

The good news: Toyota hasn’t changed a damn thing. It’s their corporate “Kaisen Philosophy” that basically says “change nothing” even if it doesn’t work, decade upon decade.

The bad news: Prepare the “frame recall” letter in a few years, but keep up with the fluid film until then and you’ll be fine.

 

Just gotta get the “Google-fu for dummies” book and you will be all set.

 

Just use a good rust inhibitor on the chassis thats its now nice and clean, and forget about for awhile.

 

Or Mexican made. Check your V.I.N if it starts with a 5 then it is U.S made or 3 Mexico made.

 

And immediately into the xenophobia

 

That's not rust, those are dirty welds. Paint doesn't stick to welds that aren't cleaned. Hit them with a wire wheel and then paint yourself. And since you're in Canuckastan, follow that up with some cosmoline.

 

That’s completely normal for new vehicles. You will notice a lot more surface rust appearing in the coming weeks , especially after driving in the rain. Wouldnt really worry about it too much. All vehicles do this. Check underneath a year old vehicle in your area if you dont believe me.
You can spend your weekends chasing it down and wire brushing / painting, or you can just let it be for now.
Really depends if you are in the rust belt or not if coatings are worth it.

 

Not sure if rust protection would do any good once the rust as started. I know I am getting mine done before the winter up here cause the roads are full of salt.