Scammed - frame rot

Hi everyone, I recently purchased a 2004 Tacoma 2.7L 4x4 from someone on fb marketplace. I paid 10k for it. And a couple days later I found out the frame is completely rusted through. He’d spray painted the whole frame black and made some shitty welds over the parts that were more obvious.

I feel like an idiot, but I was wondering what you guys would do in this situation. If I were to resell it, what do you think it’s worth? The interior is in perfect condition and the body got a fresh paint job (along with the frame lol). It’s a beautiful truck.. just needs a new undercarriage.

 

Does the truck fall into the recall for rusted frames? And if so, does the recall apply to any owner? If so, look into getting a brand new frame under the recall. Toyota dealers set up for the procedure have it down to a science, they've done so many of them. Takes as little as a week.

 

Due dilligence required for any used vehicle.

With that said, get underneath and knock it throughout with a ball peen hammer.

If you poke a hole through it, you're not doing any more damage as the damage is already done.

Assess the extent of the damage, and proceed with repairing it yourself, getting a buddy to repair it, or selling it as is.

You are the only one that can make that call and you haven't provided much information at all for internet strangers to make a decision for ya.

 

No.

Vehicle is too old; even 2004 models stopped qualifying as it went for 15 years from model year.

 

Forgot to mention, if it isn't "really bad"...and what I mean is if the areas are rather small, SafeTCap specializes in selling pre-cut pieces that cover many areas of your frame.

A welder or fabricator would cut out the cancer, clean up the metal around said cut, and weld the new piece over it.

So not all is lost and I do hope your truck is in better shape than described.

 

Keep the insurance paid up, pay for a mishap, throw this account away

 

You can buy a frame new, or used. I would go to small claims court with the seller, but it sucks you didn’t look before buying.

 

Unless FB marketplace gives you any guarantees there doesn’t appear to be any legal remedy. You maybe able to recover something by parting the truck out. Sorry for the loss.

 

If it can't be made road safe, you don't turn around and re-sell it. It's dangerous and shouldn't be on the road. I'm sorry you lost a fair amount of coin on this but don't do the same to someone else.

If it can't be saved, part it out and recoup what you can or, with FULL DISCLOSURE you try to sell it as-is.

Sucks buddy, sorry.

 

To clarify I would never sell it without disclosing the issues. I know I would take a loss and can live with that, just wanted to see what people would pay for a truck in this condition knowing it most likely needs a frame swap

 

Assess your damage.

That's your first step; don't jump the gun just yet.

 

I’d take it to a reputable shop and get an assessment. Depending on how bad, you might have some recourse with the seller in small claims court. Painting over the rust could be argued as intentional concealment of a flaw or defect for the intent to defraud.

 

Unless the state in which the OP resides requires both an inspection and passing inspection for a vehicle transfer to occur, there is absolutely no recourse.

It's like selling a project vehicle and the buyer taking me to court because it doesn't run.

A used vehicle is just that, a used vehicle.

No guarantees with the exception of local and state laws.

 

If it was me and spent that much, I'd fix it (if possible) Bed off and get really involved with the frame rot. Sucks and I'm sure you heard it before but should of brought a hammer to the test drive. Sorry about your luck!

It would be a shame to have full coverage and something was to happen to it though.

If you wanna get rid of that topper - it would sell fast.

 

Wow, that is a huge bummer. You'd definitely be taking a loss if you sell it as is. Hopefully it's not totally shot and the SafeTCap solution will work for you.

It really depends how stubborn you are, and how much of a loss you're willing to take. If you decide to sell it as is please let me know before it starts getting parted out

I personally would be parking this truck in the middle of the seller's living room...

 

There's no claim to be had though, this wouldn't make it before a judge. From a legal standpoint OP bought a 20 year old vehicle without properly inspecting it. This was also a private sale, not through a dealer or used car salesmen. People can sell dog turds and call them unicorn steaks for $100k on FB or CL, and if someone is dumb enough to buy it oh well.
I hate to be that person, but you weren't scammed, you just didn't do your due diligence. Imagine buying a 20 year old house and not doing an inspection? That's on you.
I'd say your best bet is to part it out or sell it as project car. You won't get 10k back but you'll make something at least.

 

Hammer the shit out of it and fix it myself.

If you don't have access to a welder or know someone who does take it to a bunch of shops.

Hammer out the rot first. You want them to see the extent of the damage when they quote you.

 

Greetings, El Dude. Where do these new first gen frames exist?

 

In Cali, there are a few free.

Used though.