how much rust is too much rust, frame concern

Thanks snoope. will pm you.

 

I got in touch with Bill Dube Toyota. After enough badgering, I received pictures. I'm going to call Toyota to see if this frame is still under warranty. If it is should I go with it?

 

You need to own the truck for more than a year. It was Toyota's way of limiting abuse (buy an old truck and try to flip it for 150% KBB).

And frame replacement isn't trivial. Think about all the wiring and fluid lines that need to be disconnected. There's a good chance something won't work correctly after the frame is replaced. All it takes is one embrittled electrical connector for the truck to have gremlins forever.

 

I don't really mind owning it for a year before it's changed. Ah, I don't know what to do then. It's so difficult to find what I want. I'm looking far away from home too.

 

What I'm saying is, don't buy a truck with a rusted frame. If you are dead set on a 1st gen Taco, buy one from a southern state that hasn't seen road salt. The VA truck you listed seems to be in good shape, but you need to inspect it up close and tap the frame with a hammer.

From what I read here, there are just two major age-related problems with 1st gens. Replace the suspension ball joints and the radiator, and you are good.

There are other options, too:
1999-2002 4Runner?
2006-2007 Taco?

 

That VA one was gone the day after i posted it. It was gone before he could even reply to my request for a deposit. The 2nd gens are out of my price range by like 3 grand. That's why I'm looking for a 1st gen. I'll continue to look and update here. If anyone else sees anything worth while, please let me know.

 

Do you actually need the open bed? 1st gen Tacos IMO are overpriced due to their dwindling numbers. You can usually find 4Runners with similar vintage for less (or newer models for the same money).

 

I would really prefer an open bed and something that's incredibly reliable.
edit*
4x4, automatic aswell

 

Wrong! the 1 yr deal went by the wayside years ago.
But you are mixing apples and oranges - or in this case: buybacks vs frame replacements (2001 - 2004)

What?? Toyota has done many hundreds of these now. It will be under warranty if something like you describe happens, although I haven't heard of it.
Mine was replaced nearly 2 yrs ago with no issues.

 

Call Dube back and ask for Andy Belair in service...(Tell him I sent you )

Have him run the VIN and he can tell you EVERYTHING that has been done PLUS what warranties are left...

My Tacoma was re-framed ;June '09 and I have not had problem one except for the "spare tire oops" and guess what..DUBE fixed that on Toyotas Dime also....

Sorry to say,there have been more Gremlins in 2nd gens that with all the re-framed trucks combined.....QC at the factory level needs to STEP UP to their GOOD dealers level ....

 

The only inspection that matters is the one Your Toyota dealer will do. As for the frame replacement, I'd drive my '01 (after replacement) anywhere without a second thought. They replaced a long list of items, ( break lines, emergency break cable, leaf springs, etc) and reviewed the work with me. I paid them to do extra work on the engine while they had it out. My dealer had done at least a hundred of these, and to date I have had no reason to question their competency or the quality of the parts. I don't know about the prior inspection deadline, but I will find out with the '03 I just bought when they inspect it. Good luck with your decision. Love the 1st gen tacos!

 

I wouldn't touch that cancer with a 10 foot pole..
Find something else.

 

I actually searched out a first gen that was going to need a new frame.

I live in Northern Ontario, where we use lots of salt. I wouldn't have wanted to buy a truck with a frame that was going to outlive the 15yr warrantee. It would very likely just calf at 16yrs, or the mechanics would miss finding where the rot is.

This way I was sure, and now I have brand new frame and parts. Have not had a problem with the replacement (bsides a couple of things retightened after it settled) and couldn't be happier.

good luck on your decision.

 

Just because it was inspected doesn't mean it would pass again either. These rust from the inside out. My 96 passed the inspection a few years back when it qualified for the buyback. I bought it last fall it looked a little crusty but solid. I smacked it all over with a pick hammer and had to do quite a bit of welding on the passenger inner rail near the spring hanger to make it solid again. But when shopping for a sub $4k truck in new england this is what you often have to deal with. Then I coated it inside and out with Eastwood products. It's perfectly solid now and the rust has not progressed any further. But it's not a $16k truck. Personally I wouldn't buy a newer 1st gen unless it already had a new frame under it in New England. And if you have $16k to spend you can certainly get a second gen if you want one. I sold an 05 double cab TRD 4x4 last fall for 12. It had 135k on it though and needed tires. There's plenty of them around private sale with around 100k for 15 or less if you look.

 

I found a dealer in hyannis MA selling a double cab with 80k mi for 14k WITH A NEW FRAME INSTALLED LAST MONTH, including new shocks, leaf spring and lower control arms. I went down and took a look. It needed a little bit of work but I decided to get it. The mechanics threw in a water pump and a timing belt in case they go in the future. Haven't had a chance to take pictures till now.

Things that have been done:
-new headlights
-oil chance to mobile 1 synthetic
-oil filter
-air filter
-restoring fender flares

Things that need to be done:
-repainting the rear passenger side door.
(Door was not blended when it was painted)
-new stereo
-fixing ignition cylinder
(key has trouble turning)

pictures: