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2001 Regular Cab Frame Replacement

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by wbailey, Apr 9, 2012.

  1. Apr 9, 2012 at 4:41 PM
    #1
    wbailey

    wbailey [OP] Member

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    I am due for a frame replacement. I took it in today and they said it is in need of a new one so they are ordering the parts and they should be in within the next two weeks. I am just curious as to how much people paid in labor for install on "extra" parts such as shocks, upper and lower ball joints and tie rod ends to be replaced that are not included in the frame replacement under warantee and if the parts they got were discounted? I have read numerous forums and everyone has something different to say. I asked the dealer how much it would cost me to have a new clutch, thrust bearing and have my fly wheel turned and they said over $600. That seems high to me considering the body and everything will already be apart and the parts are only about 250 dollars. Just wondering if anyone has had and experience with this and how it worked out for them, the dealer did not seemed to enthused to have to deal with this problem. What I have read is that they get paid for 60 hours of labor even if it doesnt take them the full amount of time to comlete the job so it would only be right for them to do the extra work for free as long as its within the 60 hour time given because its really a pain in my a** any way you look at it, free or not. ( I live nowhere near a dealer) .I wish they would have just bought it back but they do not do that on 01-04 unfortunatly.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Apr 9, 2012 at 6:07 PM
    #2
    wbailey

    wbailey [OP] Member

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    *Bump
     
  3. Apr 9, 2012 at 8:32 PM
    #3
    pt law

    pt law Well-Known Member

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    In my experience, this does vary by dealership. I say this because I have talked with three in my area as my truck will fail soon enough and have been given different answers. The frame and the parts authorized by toyota to be replaced along with the frame (brake lines and I believe rear leaf springs and hardware) are free to you. The dealership is then making a decision on how much to charge you in labor and parts for the extra work above the toyota corporate authorized frame replacement. You can try a a different dealer (unlikely since you live far away from what you said) or you can try to talk with toyota corporate. Let us know how it works out.

    Good luck.
     
  4. Apr 10, 2012 at 10:35 AM
    #4
    RattleTractor

    RattleTractor Lube: It's the key to penetration.

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    Hm, my local dealer has been replacing anything else on the trucks for no extra labour cost; the customer only pays for the parts. I know a few techs and that is what they said when I asked.

    PT law, you are also correct that brake lines, rear leafs, and hardware are included in the frame swap.

    But my understanding was that those parts (and the frame) were free, any other parts were paid for by the customer, and all labour was included in the whole deal.
     
  5. Apr 10, 2012 at 6:12 PM
    #5
    gusotto

    gusotto gusotto

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    I got my frame replaced.
    Paid for new F/R shocks, clutch parts, fuel filter, new radiator hoses and front upper supports.
    Had the fluids changed in F/R diff., transfer case and tranny.
    Total parts cost.... $788.75
    Labor to change out the extra parts (fuel filter, clutch and fluids) was $297.50
    Labor for the clutch job was only $127.50. It was already out and on the ground.

    My extras (parts /labor) was only $1,173.
    Got a new truck out of it.

    They (Toyota) replaced the frame, rear springs, LCA's, brake lines w/e-brake cable, hardware, recharged A/C, new brake fluid and new anti-freeze.
    Free labor.
     
  6. Apr 11, 2012 at 10:47 AM
    #6
    wbailey

    wbailey [OP] Member

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    Thanks for the info guys! Its really funny to hear the voice of the person you are talking to in service completly change their tone when you say you are going to have the work done at a different dealer because they will give you discounted parts and free labor! "Well we do do pick up and delivery for free no matter what the distance is and I just talked to parts and they said they could deffinatly give you a deal on all the parts you want to replace and we could deffinatly work on the labor costs too" . I almost started crackin up on the phone. I could not believe it, its like i was talking to a completly different person.:D
     
  7. Apr 11, 2012 at 12:11 PM
    #7
    BVCOTaco

    BVCOTaco Well-Known Member

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    That is a good practice to always use. I have found out that almost EVERYTHING is negotiable, from hotel rooms, to service work, electronics, etc. I even negotiated with Best Buy on a digital camera once!
     
  8. Apr 11, 2012 at 12:52 PM
    #8
    pt law

    pt law Well-Known Member

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    Let us know how it turns out, meaning what kind of deal they give you. Helpful for those of us out there facing a frame replacement.
     
  9. Apr 11, 2012 at 2:54 PM
    #9
    JSFoster75

    JSFoster75 Well-Known Member

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    During an economic recession, people are much more willing to negotiate to get whatever business they can. The do this because they know that next time you'll come back to them without calling the other guy first... :) I'm in sales, and it works every time...
     
  10. Apr 13, 2012 at 3:55 PM
    #10
    jodjr

    jodjr Well-Known Member

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    Mine will go in soon also. They told me any items I wanted replaced they would install free. Having front chrome bumper cover...and shocks. Maybe timing belt and pullys.
     
  11. Apr 13, 2012 at 9:41 PM
    #11
    dabus47

    dabus47 Well-Known Member

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    if they wouldnt replace my frame at one dealership do you think they would at another?
     
  12. Apr 13, 2012 at 11:30 PM
    #12
    GT5050

    GT5050 Active Member

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    I'm having a bit of a hard time getting my head around all of this frame replacement stuff. I'm a fairly new owner of a 2004 Tacoma which I bought from a Toyota dealer not near me - is it fair to assume that I can at least have my frame checked out at a Toyota dealership for any rust issues? Truth be told the frame looks pretty good but I want my truck to last me a good while and all this frame replacement talk has me a bit worried. What I'm not clear on is if this is now expired, seems people are still getting frames inspected/replaced. Also, does the state matter?
     
  13. Apr 13, 2012 at 11:47 PM
    #13
    gusotto

    gusotto gusotto

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    My Iowa dealer (who replaced my 2001 frame) is still replacing frames and also doing the same thing with Tundra frames.
    Replacing both if they fail.
     
  14. Apr 14, 2012 at 3:47 AM
    #14
    jodjr

    jodjr Well-Known Member

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    Your frame will still be replaced but only if it was inspected/ treated prior to 2012. If this was done then you can have it inspected until 15 years of your build date. If you or the previous owner never took the truck in when told by the recall or you denyed the frame treatment then your on your own. No frame.
    I was in buying a new key for mine and ended up with a new frame being ordered. My frame was treated by Toyota in 2009 so I was covered until 2018. (2003 Tacoma) I could have it checked 2-3 times a year for free until 2018.
    They found a hole in mine...and my frame was ordered Friday 4/13/12.
    Service manager told me they will be in touch to let me know what I might want replaced and the project goes on. Like I said shocks, front bumper cover, timing belt...I just have to pay for the parts.
     
  15. Apr 14, 2012 at 9:52 AM
    #15
    GT5050

    GT5050 Active Member

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    Thank you! Nice, concise summary of the current status of things. I didn't want to call a dealer before I had some idea of whether or not they'd actually entertain looking at it, but this confirmed that I should call. So I called my local dealer, the service advisor said bring it in and they'll inspect it, no appointment necessary.
     
  16. Apr 14, 2012 at 11:12 AM
    #16
    04YodaTaco

    04YodaTaco Well-Known Member

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    Was at dealer today for an oil change special and had them look at the frame while up on the lift. Tech discovered a tiny hole starting on the right front in the area near the tire. I am scheduled for the corrosion resistance treatment in a few weeks, looks like they will be replacing the frame instead.

    This is actually a good thing the way I am looking at it. I am going to make sure that new frame is protected as best as possible before it ever sees any roadsalt. Hopefully the replacement frames are more durable anyways. The truck is in VGC with only 61k miles so it should last me a long time properly cared for. I just worry that they do a good job with all the replacement entails and hope it is done right the first time so I don't have to go back with issues.
     
  17. Apr 14, 2012 at 12:45 PM
    #17
    GT5050

    GT5050 Active Member

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    Just curious - had yours been inspected or treated previously?
     
  18. Apr 14, 2012 at 1:21 PM
    #18
    04YodaTaco

    04YodaTaco Well-Known Member

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    I had it inspected before. I didn't get any notification/letter but called and they did it. It passed and they said it was one of the cleanest they have seen around here. It wasn't treated because they hadn't approved the treatment in New York state yet. A few months ago I received a letter from Toyota telling me the treatment is approved for NY and needs to be done by the end of 2012 to continue the 15 year frame enhancement thing. I am scheduled for that in a few weeks, there is a waiting list as they can't do them all at once.

    Other states were approved for the treatment earlier. NY was not and I think the deadline for inspection is later than most here. Not sure though.
     
  19. Apr 14, 2012 at 2:34 PM
    #19
    wbailey

    wbailey [OP] Member

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    My brother also has an 04 regular cab with 60,000 miles on it and the frame is good, it was also treated on time. Mine was treated 2010 and still rusted out on my 01. They only pay for a frame inspection one time. If you get it done more than once it comes out of your pocket as I am in this predicament. I had my truck inspected at Fernelius in Cheboygan and it failed, they are not very good with customer service (kind of a** holes) so I had them cancel the frame that was on order so I could have it done down in saginaw ( where they want the business and are helpfull) and they said I will have to pay for another inspection even after mine already failed due the fact that it is a different dealer. So I am having to start all over again. Starting to become a real pain in the neck for me. I think that they should be covered regardless if they were in fr initial inspections on time because they are rusting from the inside out so the undercoating is useless. The place to check is where your leaf springs attatch to your frame on the passenger side, that is where mine and one of my friends rusted through and thats what most of the pictures are showing. Even if they say it not covered you should contact Toyota and throw a fit, its worth a try because the frame undercoating aparently did nothing on my truck so what does it matter if it was in on time they rust out anyways.
     
  20. Apr 14, 2012 at 2:44 PM
    #20
    wbailey

    wbailey [OP] Member

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    The dealership in Saginaw sounds like they will bend over backwards to help me out and get me back on the road again. By the sounds of it discounted parts and free labor as to where the other dealer said no discounts on anything. Hopefully this works out as well as I am thinking it will, the dealer in Saginaw said that they will just do a quick examination so hopefully I dont even get charged for a second frame inspection. Even if i do I doubt it would be much because its not rocket science, you can see the hole rusted in the frame about the size of a quarter, it took the last dealer not even ten minutes to determine I need a new one.
     

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