A couple questions about new or used, given Tacoma frame rust issues...

Good afternoon, all,

So unfortunately the frame rust is killing my second gen (2006) Tacoma. I had Safe-T-Cap kits installed on it back in 2021 but the shop that did the work was lazy about taking the frame down to bare metal/totally cutting away the bad/rusted portions of the frame. So the money was pretty much wasted.

---- As such I am looking at buying a truck sometime this year before my current truck becomes undriveable.

-- So my first question is... how bad is the frame rust issue on the third gen Tacomas? What is the warranty like?

On the 3rd gen trucks, does Toyota automatically coat its frames in their crappy undercoating stuff that just serves to trap moisture underneath?

I know that in a few years, trucks like these won't be available anymore. So what I want to buy something this year that is going to last as long as possible.

--- Given all the frame rust issues, is it a bad idea to buy a 2020-2022 used truck with low (under 40k) miles and should I just buy a new truck?

Thanks in advance!

 

Do you plan on cleaning the truck underneath and applying fluid film or the likes annually ? If you’re not … get something else

 

Yeah, going forward, I am looking to do that; I didn't know about that back when the frame rust got bad. But having heard about 3rd gen Tacomas having the rust problem too, I'm a tad "gun shy" about buying used (even two-three years/low miles used).

On a positive note, my current Tacoma is a 2006 with almost 200k miles on it; so even as is it isn't like it didn't provide good service. I bought it in 2015 and the dealership had freshly put that awful Toyota frame coating on it; I didn't know about the frame rust issue at the time and that that stuff was basically likely covering up developing rust...

 

Went through the same with my 4runner. Driving it this winter and will pull out the 2020 OR I bought last fall out of Florida. It has 56k miles and underside was like new. I didn't have time to do rustproofing and thought my 4runner frame might not make it through so had it done elsewhere. I wanted undercoating and rustproofing done to all the insides of the body and other panels including the frame. I would get a used one from down south if it saves a bunch over new and no matter what you get do the underside with a cosmoline product and not the lanolin like FF. It will last much better and only a little touching up every year.

 

Do tell...

 

They rust like the rest of the tacomas...It's no secret Toyota still hasn't addressed the issue.

Keep it coated once a year. It's amazing how well it works.

 

Bought brand new and before the end of summer I got it coated by Krown and plan to get it done annually

 

Rust will end us all.

 

Rust Never Sleeps .....

 

I'm betting as these trucks get to the same age as the OP's 2006 they will start having the same problems.

The best way to do it is to buy a new truck and coat it right off the dealer lot with something more permanent. If you buy something with surface rust then it'll be a whole lot more work, or you'll have to use a product like Wool-Wax or Fluid Film. I was able to coat mine with a Cosmoline product, but I also pressure wash the underside after every winter weather event.

 

Something else like what? Curious what doesn't rust in salt land.

 

I have a 2020 tacoma and I went to krown ang get the truck undercoating. I'm planning to do this every spring....

 

If you are looking at a used truck, just make sure you take a good look at the underside. If you see a lot of rust then pass on it. Just make sure that they didn't just spray something to hide it.

 

See my sig....

 

Anything metal will rust; especially in harsh environments with lack of preventative maintenance.

Will 3rd gen be as bad as previous gens? I haven't seen any anecdotal evidence to support the notion. Show me the rust...

 

Hi there, everyone, thanks for the feedback. So there were recommendations for a cosmoline product; I've heard Fluid Film talked about on this forum... is Fluid Film a cosmoline product?

I know some folks on this forum talk about applying Fluid Film themselves to their frames; however Krown was mentioned above.

I want to get into a "battle rhythm" of doing the preventative rust treatment; so it sounds like Krown is a rust-proofing vendor with a good rep? I just looked at Krown's website, though, and it looks like the closest location is in York, Pennsylvania, a couple hours away from me.

I want to ensure that the rust proofing is done in a thorough manner, so perhaps just paying to have it done yearly (or perhaps each fall and then again in the spring after the salt season) is the way to go?

Are there any other vendors/companies to consider?

Thanks again, everybody...

 

Have you considered a new/ used frame? If nothing else, you'll at least be able to sell or trade your truck for 10K or so.

 

Have you seen anything saying they won't rust? Toyota's have been the class leader in frame rust for over 40 years.

 

I would love a new frame, because I love my 2nd gen Taco, I like the size, I like the layout of the extended cab (with the fold down flat seats) and I love my manual transmission. But everything I had read on Tacomaworld seemed to indicate that its just not practical if the dealer isn't covering it, i.e. can't find frames/can't find a shop to do it/too expensive.

If I'm wrong about all that I would totally consider it...

The 3rd gen trucks look to me to be more of what I want than any other trucks out there, however I do really really like the 2nd gens...

 

Research part out pickup trucks you'll find many, many that have rusted/broken frames, most right behind the cab and most are not Toyota. Toyota at least stood behind and replaced the frames.