Bizarre locker problem ? !

Hello tacoma world. First time posting so hope this is right. I have an 04 double cab 3.4 automatic with 256000 on it. Recently tried to use the locker and it wouldnt lock in, the light just blinked. After researching on here i decided to take it off and inspect it. like others the salt had ruined the case and got inside. cleaned it up, regreased it, and it works. Now heres the crazy part. it works perfect until i tighten the top stud. when i back it off 4 or 5 turns it works, as soon as i tighten it down again it stops working ?! To top it off i also noticed holes in the frame above the shackles on the inside. love my truck but not to happy right now. any insight would be greatly appreciated. Is that stud a ground?

 

update. locker works. not sure what the problem was excactly. but now to find out about the frame. i have been searching the frame recall stuff and have found lots of information. some people having the frame and parts installed at no cost while others got the frame only and had to pay for parts but not labor and some getting a payout. why so many different scenarios? any one with experience on this would be great.

 

I can answer part of your question....95-00 were bought back, no replacements what so ever! The 01-04's were eligible for the frame replacements. As far as the parts, labor and such I couldn't tell ya. Here in Oregon we aren't eligible for any of it!

 

Pennsylvania should be listed as one of the salt belt states so you should be eligible to get a new frame. Call Toyota and talk to them though, have your VIN handy.

 

thanks for the info guys. called Toyota this morning with vin and they verified my truck was inspected and sprayed by original owner in april of 2010. must have scared him because he sold me truck shortly after for 8500. that is way below blue book. the truck still runs perfect and have had no issues except the locker and frame now. Toyota gave me a case number and said they will be in touch no later than tomorrow . Also the locker job was not hard. Lots of good information in tacoma world that people have put together and walk you through it. definetly try your locker out and if it doesnt work do some research on here and you should have no issues. when toyota calls me back i am going to ask questions and as i get facts about these frame issues will post it. I found plenty of information in here already and is where i got my information to get started but will post my situation as it happens. Again thanks for the help. Sorry to hear that oregon isnt on frame list , seems like you guys get lots of snow and prob use salt. I have seen that people who did get frame swap also did upgrades in the process. anyone who has can you let me know what you did and how it went, any recomendations? good or bad.

 

Toyota did call me back today, i was a little worried and thought i was gona get a run around but a case manager called me. She told me all i have to do is get an appointment with a toyota dealership for them to verify the frame rot. I did ask her if she new how big the hole had to be and she said 10mm . She also verified that the frame had to be inspected and sprayed in the initial "recall" and i believe according to a letter i have was oct 31,2010. Frame warranty is then extended 15 yrs from service date of vehicle. She said that there are many parts included in the frame kit and will be no extra charge. I have a print out of the actual instructions and parts list for the kit. The parts list is 3 pages long front and back and the job looks to be around 30+ pages front and back. On another document it also says that if you want to replace certain parts or add upgrades that are not part of the kit that toyota would provide the opportunity and would be good to take advantage of the labor savings. But from the sound of different stories I've read on here that depends on the dealer. I will be calling around for sure to ask different dealers how they are dealing with this frame swap.

 

just got back from dealer. had the frame inspected. they ordered a new frame and should be in around a month. they will install many new parts including the leaf springs. was gona go with an ome kit but with 260 thousand miles on this one i might just get new shocks that they will install free and wait till the next tacoma for the ome kit. good luck to anyone going through this frame replacement ordeal.

 

Update on frame. Everything went well and the truck drives and feels great. It took about 1-2 weeks for them to put frame on. It took about 2 months for frame to show up.I took it to joel confer toyota in state college. The tech that does the frames has around 300 under his belt. They did a great job. They installed a set of 4600 bilstein and new coils on for no additional cost. They gave me a rental free. It was a good overall experience. The frame kit was extensive and many new components were added beside the frame.