Frame replacement at 38,500miles // 62,000km; anything to consider?

Got rear-ended a few weeks ago, and the insurance company is putting a brand-new frame under my third gen !!!!! Just wondering what, if anything I should think about having replaced/changed while her skirts are off. The truck is 98% street/road driven and (IMO, at least) well maintained.

The only thing that came to mind was the coolant cross-over pipe, but if it's not leaking (it's not at the moment), I'm loathe to mess with it.

Thoughts?

 

Toyota certainly knows how to replace frames. . I would get the new frame coated with rust protection. Every sq inch. Most people I find have to do it afterwards and it’s a pain crawling around under doing it yourself.

 

Any idea on the cost of the replacement frame?

 

^^What Greg said. As long as it's apart it would be a wise investment to have everything Cosmolined.

AFAIK there's no new improved coolant cross-over pipe so no sense fixing what isn't broken.

 

wouldn't replacing a frame encompass a complete totaled vehicle?, surprised they are doing that?

 

Toyota replaces frames all the time. Plus. To be totaled the repair cost would be more than the ok value of that vehicle. That’s why when they total something you only get the book value

 

Thanks! I hadn't thought of that, but I'll discuss it with the body shop. Given where I live (Vancouver Island), salt/corrosion is not a consideration. I FF the truck every year 'just in case', but this is definitely an option!

The frame itself is just shy of $10K, and 31 hours labour for the R&R, so roughly $14K.

I was thinking about swapping out with the Lexus one, but I really don't know if the failure-rate for the OE version is such that it's worth it.

Typically, but according to the bodyshop, the repair bill for my truck sits at around $28K, the insurance company would have gone to almost $38K before writing off!!!

Yep. if they totalled it, I would likely be looking at >$15K out of pocket to replace with new.

 

As far as that crossover coolant pipe i through toyota had installed an improved plastic version from the earlier gen3 trucks.

 

Basically about same cost as the dealer told me back in 2020 when i questioned them about frame issues. It was $12k on their gen2 tacoma frame replacements.

 

See if you can get the new frame better painted/coated while its still naked. That will give you much better rust protection then factory.
Also, since you will have a different frame if the Tacoma frame 'recall' extends to your year your truck might not be covered any more.

 

Hope it all goes well for you. As stated, Toyota certainly knows how to/all about replacing frames!

 

Are frame straitening machines a thing of the past ?

 

I take it that was 14k Canadian right?

 

More advanced frames have crumple points to take energy out of accidents. It is hard to repair these frames to provide the same accident protection again. Insurance will replace a frame. Rebuilders will pull it straight and sell it.

 

I thought so, but haven't found a definitive answer. If anyone knows for sure...

Right in line, given inflation & exchange.

Given where I live, not really an issue, but worth noting! Thanks.

My thought exactly!

Nope, this bodyshop has a very high-end frame table, but the frame is tweaked into a parallelogram. Going over speedbumps is... interesting!

Oui!

Good point!

 

My bill covered by Toyota Canada for my 2005 was $14k..

 

Sorry-same here. My 2020 with 15k miles got rear ended Tuesday. Collision place is supposed to start a frame replacement in March. They outsource the frame replacement to a place that only does frames and then they finish the cosmetic stuff and new bed. Says it will take 2-3 months, once started. Let me know how things go for you. For myself, I sorta feel like this is the worst outcome, considering the quality of work at most places these days. I’m trying to stay positive though.

 

If it helps at all, I'd be relieved to know that a frame replacement specialist was swapping it instead of the collision shop. More to go wrong there if the tech is inexperienced....(fortunately?) Toyota frames have been such a problem lately id think any place that specializes in frames would have seen many in their shop.

The collision shop handling the cosmetics isn't cause for concern as that is normal with every job they do. If they are reputable no problem, should come out looking great.

I'd recommend, as others have above, going the extra mile on rustproofing while the access is good.

 

Hell, I'd take that insurance check and run! Bob the frame and make a killer crawler outta it!

 

@tirediron @Alamo72 Do either of you have the work estimate for the cost to do the work and wouldn't mind sharing? I was just rear ended and took my truck to a "preferred partner" shop and I think my estimate is way low for a frame replacement. I'm having a couple of independent estimates done to compare but real examples would be nice. Thanks!