Rust-Safe to drive or terminal diagnosis?

Got a GPS tracker so I put in under my beloved 2004 Taco and noticed enough rust to scare me. Here's some pics. I know I need to take it to a mechanic for a more thorough diagnostic, but is it even safe enough to drive, or am I panicking too much?

Driver's side

Passenger side
Driver's side

 

Guessing you are not from a rust/snow/salt area?

I would drive it if it were mine. I would also sand it down, hit it with some rust reformer/ospho/other rust treatment, then repaint it.










*Not advise, for legal reasons

 

Looks safe enough from what I can see.
Still has a fair amount of life left in it. (from what I can see)

I've seen WAY worse.

 

Inspection process posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10141615-9999.pdf

 

That's pretty bad for just the front end - what I mean is these things are notorious for rusting out in the rear making them unsafe to drive and some of those were better looking up front

Share some photos of the rear of the frame, specifically where the leaf spring is installed

 

@Needatacoma -- Regardless where you take it, make sure they use this process to inspect it. Don't freak after the first inspection. I'm sure chances are really good that they may paint a "OMG you're screwed but we can help!" scenario (as in $$$). If you're handy, consider doing some cleanup of the surface nasties yourself.

 

Need pics of where leaf spring shackles are welded to frame.

 

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and links. I grew up in Missouri, and my dad always made sure I washed the undercarriage after driving on salted roads to prevent rust. Since moving to a state with little snow, I’ve honestly neglected it—and he’d definitely be disappointed. The inspection link was super helpful. I tried to get some pics of where the leaf spring shackles are welded, but not sure I got them right. They’re below. Driver's side


P

 

That is really CLEAN! I’m jealous. Good luck with it!

 

Thanks! Because looking under the carriage, I think I might need a rack and pinion job? This pic below, I think is the power steering fluid leaking. Plus the manifold looked pretty rusted. I can get my trusty sander out for the frame but I can't do this steering job and now I'm concerned my beloved truck with 270,000 miles on it will lead me into a Money Pit. It's my only vehicle and I love it. I had planned on it outlasting me.

 

That is just surface rust and not structural YET. If you want to honestly keep it ''forever'' find someplace that knows how to soda blast and block off parts behind it and then have it zinc painted and then coat it all with LPS3 or Fluid Film. Yes it'll cost $$ but if the drive train is still solid, it's worth it.

And yes, your R&P needs attention.

 

All your pictures just show surface Rust !

Here in Pa from the damp climate mine looks like that in a few weeks.
Some sort of frame treatment will give you many worry free years!!

 

Looks good to me.
Now is the time to treat it though. Fluid film.

 

Can you post some pics zoomed out a bit? I would follow the other members suggestions and start Fluid Filming that frame ASAP and enjoy.

 

I’m so grateful for these suggestions and comments. I’ll be looking for someone who can soda blast the frame.

 

For reference to a REALLY BAD frame, @Needatacoma, here's a 2004 Tacoma on the dealer lot for frame replacement in my southeastern Ohio hometown. I talked to the young man who owned the truck -- he was one of the very last Gen 1's accepted into the fame replacement program before that door closed forever. By comparison, your frame is fine, with a bit of surface rust.








Note especially the crack in the metal above the rear spring hanger. When the guy brought it in for inspection they immediately took it off the road and put him in a new Tacoma loaner (a Gen 3 at the time) that he'd been driving for several months while they waited for his new frame.

That small rustbelt dealership did LOTS of frame replacements. At one time they were stacked up out back.

 

Get it repaired professionally with actual metal or repair it yourself, some of the rust In the photos could be a gamble, would look into future replacement if I were you.

 

I don't think we are looking at the same truck...

 

I have a question for the members who live in the rust belt states. I assume since everyone comes here for advice on rust the states don’t require frame inspection periodically?

 

Virginia where I am has a yearly state inspection of the whole vehicle. Nothing frame specific.