1995 Tacoma-heartbroken, need advice.

I know I'm not the only one whose been through this but I found out today that my mint 95 Tacoma SR5-V6 has a hole in the frame. It was checked out in 2010 and was ok but not now, so I am out of luck. I also lost a mint 97 SR5-V6 several years ago which Toyota bought back.

I look at this truck with only 122k, Michelin LTX's, brand new condition seats which have had slipcovers on them from day one, oil changes by me every 3K-the list goes on. I am just sick over this.

Some advice would be appreciated. Could I: 1. Try to sell it with full disclosure about the frame-what might it bring money-wise? 2. Part it out, which is a hassle for me, but is it worth it? 3. Any other suggestions-some one might try to weld a piece over the rotted part and get some more time out of it.

Sorry this is so long but thanks for listening!! Bill

 

You'll will probably get more from toyota than any of those options

 

1995...The truck is out of warranty.

 

Show us a picture of the hole in the frame. If you really want to keep the truck, cleaning up the bad part of the frame with a grinder and welding up a strong reinforcement patch might be the simplest way to go, especially if you could do it yourself or with some friends. But if other parts of the frame are getting really bad then it might be a lost cause.

Did Toyota give you a reasonable amount of money when they bought your '97?

 

Makes me glad that I've already started with the fluid film applications to my frame.

Did toyota spray your frame in 2010 when they inspected it?

 

Fix the frame w/ a reinforcement plate and keep it.

/thread.

 

Toyota was more than fair-to be exact they gave me $14,757.50 for the truck plus another $500.00 because I bought a certified 2005 XLE Camry within 6 months.

 

Post some pix if it aint bad patch it up

 

They never sprayed my frame when they inspected it in 2010. The frame on this truck I am writing about has a lot of rust underneath but just the one hole so far. I'll try to post a picture up as soon as I can.

 

Subbed to see how this turns out.

 

Subbed for pics.

 

I think he is referring to the 1997 that they bought back.

 

Missed that.
Saw his profile showed an '11, missed the comment on the '97.

 

Drop it off to your local welder and have him plate and box the whole rear. Then por 15 everything.

 

Go to the dealer that sold you your last truck and ask for their help getting it covered. If that does not work, call Toyota Corp and ask for their help. I would hope that your loyalty to Toyota would count for something. If not, I suggest this:

Detail the snot out of that truck so that it shines it's best.

Write out your tale of woe on a sheet of paper and tape it inside the windows where anyone can read it. Include a phone or email so you can be contacted to tell everyone who will listen about your experience.

Park in front of the dealership and write on the windows "defective truck with rusted out frame."

Whatever contact you get from this, make sure you come off like a reasonable person who just want's Toyota to own up to their ineffective rust proofing. Afterall, they did extend the warranty to 15 years, everyone knows they have a problem, why not make a policy exception for a loyal customer like you?

If still no success, drive it to the scrapyard and see what you can get for it.

 

+2 for POR15

 

Also check out Eastwood products. They have a rust treatment like POR-15 for the inside of the frame. I would also use POR-15 on the outside of the frame. I've also used Eastwoods spray on rust/undercoating spray. It's designed to go directly over rust and stop it. Good luck man

 

Here's a picture of the hole in my 95 Tacoma frame I posted about yesterday. What does everyone think, too bad, weld it, etc. Thanks for looking!




[url=http://www.tacomaworld.com/gallery/showphoto.php/p

 

Looks pretty ugly right now but you might be able to scrape some of that surface rust off. Hit it with a hammer if you dare to see how strong it is.

 

just dropped mine off tonight for a second inspection, sprayed it about 3 years ago but now it's flaking with rust underneath. Pretty worried, sub'd for the outcome. Good luck OP!