Serious frame rust

I recently bought a tacoma as my first truck and never checked underneath for rust. Theres pretty bad rust on the frame and I’ve been told lots of mixed things, like sell it, or just drive it; rust is really common in Hawaii on old tacomas but that doesn’t make it any safer.

I love my truck tho and wanna keep it if its save-able.

Is frame repair risky, or reputable?

Im new to cars, and driving in general so any guidance would help me a lot.

 

Ouch. I’m sorry, usually I’m pretty optimistic about frame rust since I have dealt with a hole in my frame too. But that looks pretty bad. I’m not sure you could really fix any of that.

How recently did you buy it? Can you contact the seller? I would be looking at getting my money back if you bought it super recently. You can’t really sell that to someone else in good conscience without disclosing the frame damage and selling as a parts truck.

 

You're probably gonna have to find a frame and swap it. If it was from a dealership might be able to unwind the sale?

 

This site sells frame repair pieces.

https://www.autorust.com/product-category/toyota/

 

GET A LAWYER OR cut your losses and trade it in to a used car dealership

 

i watched a video recently is showed in tests the reduction of safety by 50%, collapses during impacts

 

and do what? sue yourself for buying a used car in as is condition?

 

Smoke it with a hammer all over, and see what happens

I bought a rusty first gen, and have a garage full of parts and a frame…still hoping to do the swap someday, but man it’s a big project lol

 

Hawaii has annual vehicle safety inspections.
There's no possible way that could pass.

That vehicle is not fit for transportation as is.

Read this. Seek help ASAP
https://cca.hawaii.gov/blog/used-car-sales-and-warranty-law/

Hopefully you bought it from a licensed dealer.

 

whoever sold an unsafe vehicle to someone without disclosing the liability

but depending on lawyer costs, maybe junk it or sell it to a dealership only, not an individual unless you disclose the rust, at a super cheap price. teach yourself a lesson perhaps and take an L on it, or run the thing knowing it can taco in a side impact

i sold a 177k 4runner tasteful mods and a solid frame, garaged 7.5 years with me after i looked at 5 of them to find it initially clean, and sold it for $3,500 to a coworker. what options does the person with the rotted vehicle really have? prob just take a loss and learn a lesson; you have to look at the underside of these things, known for terrible rust

also you cant legally sell an uninspectable vehicle without disclosing it on the bill of sale (i did it with a 90k mile WRX, all stock, had evap leak CEL, sold it to a 15 year old's mom for 5,000 with it disclosed on the BOS) but lawyers are pricey and likely not worth it in this instance

 

Lol you can’t sign off on someone else’s negligence. This is an unsafe vehicle.

Very easy to send a demand letter and they usually work.

Get your $ back or make them pay for frame repair, learn your lesson, and try again. Welcome to life.

 

I bought it in november from a guy and ive been trying to get in contact with him but he doesn't accept any facebook requests, I didn't find the rust until april so its been a while since I bought it.

It was my fault for buying it and not checking the frame. Now I'm trying to find the next move if I should have it repaired, get a new frame, or sell it. The rest of the truck is in good condition with 96k miles and 6” lift with fabtech shocks in the front, fox in the rear.

 

Thank you guys for helping me, really means a lot.

 

id suggest trying to trade it in to a used dealership, but good luck with what you decide
less ethics involved

 

Sucks bro—good luck! All rootin for ya

 

Being a private sale, lawyer route could work even better unless they spent it all already or are otherwise without means.

If no bill of sale, even better for your side as clearly no disclosure. The amount of time that’s gone by is not on your side.

Step 1) Get it inspected and have them say what needs to be replaced and that it’s not safe to drive.
Step 2) Send demand letter if you think they’d be responsive to it or, if not, just go the consumer protection laws route.

Hawaii consumer complaints can be down here:
https://web2.dcca.hawaii.gov/ocpcomplaint/