2005 tacoma 2nd gen terminal frame rot rust cancer

that was the plan in December. now the available part was the standard set up. installed today and quite a difference from what it was before. the original owner must have had a heavy hand or something. feels great now. I would like the short throw of the TRD shifter but for half the price I can live with the original.

 

Part of the serp belt just sheared off and wrapped around the radiator fan pulley.

Dealer did the work in Oct 2012 but I provided them with an OEM belt from Amazon so the dealer is not giving me credit under a 1 year warranty on the labor.

Dealer says the engine is hoisted wholesale during the frame swap and that this situation cannot be caused by the frame swap process.

We're talking about a belt that was in use for approx 2 months until the frame was declared faulty.

Amazon will refund what we paid for the belt.

 

congrads OP. Really glad to see TM step up on this. Wonder how long until we see a TSB/Recall for this.

 

You can take ur truck into Toyota and they will get u a new frame or a new truck. If its a 99 and below tacoma they will give u 110% of what it kelly blue books for and all the rest they will replace the fames. Im taking my 99 tacoma in and thats what they tell me.

 

OP already got his frame replaced on his 2nd gen. Will hopefully make it easier for the rest of us in case 2nd gen frames are destined to go the same way 1st gens do. Hope not.

 

Congrats! that rust looked so bad more than my 1968 Mustang but good deal what Toyota and dealer step up to get this replace.

 

FYI my letter from Toyota Corporate regarding my '98 was 150% the high KBB value. That's what I got last spring for the '98 when the frame rusted through. The rust was actually less advanced than it is on my 2005 that recently had its frame break at the motor mount on the driver's side.

I just wanted to make sure you have the correct info on the buyback. Hope this helps, and that you have a smooth transaction.

 

So is this just a 2009 and below problem?

 

Toyota has/had a buyback program for rusted frames on tacomas 95.5-2000. They had a frame replacement deal for rusted frames 2001-2004. There is no frame program (yet) for any 2005+ tacomas. Based on OPs experience, and I am guessing others to come, that may change.

 

I'm not going to read through 18 pages; but have any 11,12, & 13 owners found any rust? I guess I'm just trying to see if Toyota has resolved the problem or if it's still happening.

One reason I traded in my 2011 5.0 Mustang; Ford just turns its head and looks the other way, when they know there are documented problems. It would make me sick to see Toyota doing the same thing. It's good to see Toyota has stepped up to the plate to help the guys who were having problems. I just hope they have resolved the issues with the frames.

 

on my 2012, very very very minimal rust on it, mostly at junction points, for the amount of salt i drove threw this winter, im happy, its nothing a 1/4 can of spray paint wont touch up and look good as new!

 

Hmm, I've got an '05 TRD, live in New York, and have quite a bit of frame rust. The '05 was what I got (used) after my '97 frame rail rust recall. Again?? I've been wanting to grease the hell out of the underside but haven't gotten to it yet. Someone mentioned Fluid Film on here... what do you recommend?

 

its going to take a while to rear its ugly head, especially if the fully boxed sections are rusting from the inside out like the first gens did and what appears to have happened with OPs frame. I was under my 2010 last weekend to change the oil, and the frame looked pretty good. We get some snow in Northern VA and they heavily salt the roads here, but not compared to the North East.

 

After reading this thread, I decided to re-check my frame, and.. uh oh, guess I'm in the club. The rust appears to be in the exact same spot as the OP's much larger hole. It's a 2005 Taco manufacturing date of 12/04.

When I bought the truck 1.5 years ago I noticed some average surface rust, nothing to write home about. It was originally a NJ vehicle so I was hyper aware of any major rust issues at the time. The original owner was more than anal about upkeep, etc. That was the only reason I even considered the truck.

It has now gone through two Colorado winters (mag chloride), nothing out of the norm. It appears that a few select areas have deteriorated quite rapidly (see second pic). While the other frame areas are in good condition.

What should I do? I literally took these pics this morning. Take it in to a dealer? Fix and sell? At this point I'm not really even mad, just disappointed in Toyota. My 98 Taco had none of these isolated rust issues whatsoever. The frame appears fixable at this point, but what happens in a couple years when the rest of the frame goes to shit and it's a liability.

 

I guess the best thing to do would be take it to Toyota and get it documented. Then open a case with corporate and see what they can do for you.

 

Yep get to dealer ASAP open the case. Its that spot where pieces of frame are sandwiched and there is no way to protect frame.

 

Welcome to TW & sorry for the rust.

You were correct to check it at first. I'm actually amazed you didn't see any. I'm in NJ and they salt the roads like no other. I was sanding and painting my frame after 1 winter.

Good luck in your soon to be long drawn out battle. It's the first guys who have to sacrifice the most.

You could always just go trade it in

 

I'll try to write up some notes on steps that can be taken.

 

Sounds like a great idea
Hopefully it will help expedite others battles but it was unfortunate that yours had to take so long. I guess the pioneers have to lead the way, slow and steady.

 

Not sure how manufacturers got so fascinated with boxed frames, both my old trucks didn't have boxed frames and not only were they tough as nails but no rust to speak of except a little surface rust and they both lived in high salt areas all their lives.