Toyota is buying back my 1998 Tacoma....

.....and I loved it, didn't want to see it go, and undoubtedly neglected it concerning the frame, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW!

To make this short and simple, I want to get back into a [used] Tacoma with my by back money. Period.

Question: Example, there's a 99 model in another state I'm interested in. Can Toyota tell me from the VIN if it has a defective frame or not?

Actually, my first question should probably be:

What caused the rusty frame problem [1995-2000] to begin with?

I know this is all old hat, maybe someone can direct me to a thread that answers my questions, I don't mean to be rude.

Also, this is my first post/thread, so, HELLO FROM KY!

 

Welcome from NKY!

 

welcome from az!

all first generation tacomas have frame rust problems, the only thing you can do is look under the frame and check for your self. or ask for pics since ehs far away.

they missed a process on treating the frame for preventing rust, thats why they rust..

hope this can help!

 

Whoa, so I was told wrong by a Toyota salesman then; he said there were two companies that manufactured the frames for Toyota and one of them provided Toyota with defective frames and that Toyota could determine from the VIN if that particular vehicle had a faulty frame. Not so?

Anyhoo, I just now got a call back from the boy who is selling the 99 Taco; he said that the dealer where he's at has agreed to inspect it and undercoat it for free if it passes.

Does this undercoating make the truck free from future concerns about a rusty frame?

Thanks for your response(s).

 

In your all's opinion, if the 99' passes inspection, will the undercoating offered by Toyota fix the problem? (like, for years down the road)

Thanks.

Larry

 

Happened to a lot of us here on TW... I got 12K for my 99' a little over a year ago.
Take the $ and get a second gen.
You'll love it!

 

i would get it under coated regularly, they can still rust i believe.

and my above statement about why frames rust, thats something i read posted by another member so i may be wrong, but when the salesman said defective frames i believe that means a step was left out.

 

If it were to be my primary vehicle, yes, I would seriously consider a newer 2nd gen (I love the ones with 4 doors), but that's not the case here. I want the Tacoma for when I need a TRUCK, which is not near as often as it used to be. Also I want to stay within the money amount that I got for my other one. A sound, solid 1st gen 4wd will suit my needs perfectly fine.

 

OK, I might do that now, but I've never done it before. I had an 87' Toyota PU that was totalled twice and had > 300K miles when I sold it; the thing was indestructible as far as I was concerned; that's why this rusty frame issue with the Tacoma totally took me by surprise, I certainly wasn't expecting it. I figgered I'd have that truck for a loooong time to come.

OK, I'd say you're right.

 

Undercoating really only hides rust. You can sand prep and use a rust prohibitor but once the rust is there,IT'S THERE!!!

 

^^ This post FTW.

You have to completely remove the rust in order for you not to have to worry about it again...and even then...it will always be something to watch out for.

If it were me...I would look for a truck that was as far away from salt for the majority of it's life as possible. That will be tough, but if you plan on keeping it for a while, it'd be worth it to spend some time calling around, asking for pics, running VIN checks, etc...

That is all just my opinion, of course.

Fink

 

Wow, the drama is never ending here; the boy who had the 99' Taco just called me (from OH) and the truck failed the test; he said everyone was very surprised that it failed because it was such a clean perfect looking truck.

I may just have to go 2nd gen. Would that be 95' 0n?

 

2nd Gen started in 2005

 

Drama? No drama here, friend. But with your recent rust issues, and all the issues others on this board have had, we just want to warn you so it doesn't happen again.

2nd gen's are 2005+. The 2012, I would imagine, would be considered the first of the "2.5" gens.

Fink

 

you were actually told correctly by the sales man. I work for a toyota dealership in northern OH. And have replaced several frames on both the tacoms and tundras. the "bad" frames were made by DANA. when they made the frames the metal mixture wrong. If you looking at a 99 keep this in mind. Is it from the salt belt/ northern state. is so there is a good chance that the frame is bad. when inspection the frames we, yes look for rust, but also hit the frame with a hammer. if there is rust there is a good chance that its alot worse that it looks. i've put hole through frame the size of a baseball with just tapping the frame and it just looked like surface rust. now toyota will only replace frames if the truck is less then 10 years old. and will only do buy back if its less then 15 years old. So if your were to buy the 99 and it has a bad frame. they would just buy it back. now i bought my 2004 in feb and it came from AR. and when i had my vin ran it wasnt eligible fro the recall cause it came from a state outside of the salt belt area. so the 99 might not need a frame. get the vin and have your local Toyota service department and they be able to tell you if it has the recall or not. hope this help'd good luck with the hunt

 

My frame was rusted out and they replaced it because it was a 2001-2004. They didnt buy those back because if they gave us 1.5 times the value we could just about get a new one.
That new new.

 

Nice avatar.

 

I had my 98' bought back, got 14 750 a almost 2 yrs ago. I used the money to buy a new 2010, totally regretted buying the 2010 (sorry 2nd gens, just not my bag). I then surched and found a mint 2002 that i new was likely going to fail, so I bought it and unloaded the 2010. Had my frame checked and the hammer went through. New frame on order and free labour for parts (suspension) that I want to add.

So I'll have a mint 2002, low kms (cnd), new frame, new lines...etc... I think as someone here mentioned before It's like winning the lottery 2x for me. Anyway, maybe an option for you if you lilke the 1rst gens, of course 2001 to 2004 for the replacement.

I live in Mid to Northern canada, lots of salt. Undercoating is great for some stuff (body, front end parts, etc) but doesn't do much for the frame, mostly because these frames are rotting from the inside out. No amount of external oil will stop the corrosion. Just my 2cents.

Cheers and good luck.