2002 Tacoma SR5 TRD frame replace ...

I just bought my 2002 Tacoma in June this with 128k, I thought I did a good rust check but a month ago I took it to a Toyota dealer in Fayetteville, AR for a spare tire carrier inspection. Frame now has a 10 inch rust thru by the front end of the rear frame on the right side so Toyota has ordered a new frame. truck has been at the dealer for over a month (10/16/2015) waiting for a frame. has anyone had experience with frame replacement, what all is replaced?

Jim Winkler
Prairie Grove, AR

 

I'm about 2 months ahead of you with my 2001, I dropped mine off on July 16th and I'm still in a rental car, with probably another month or so to go. The issue is lack of available parts, since there are so many Tacomas getting their frames replaced. I just went by the dealership yesterday, and my frame is in, but he's still waiting on various parts that he needs to do the swap. He said there are shortages of everything and it's just a waiting game.

As far as replacement, they replace the frame, brake lines, rear leafs (not shocks) lower control arms, and then various bolts/fasteners as needed.

You will probably be asked if you want anything replaced while they are under there since you will only be paying for parts, not labor. I'm spending a lot of money replacing things; new gas tank, new front wheel bearings, new tie rods, new rack and pinion, new gas tank skid plate, many new gaskets, new ac system, new ball joints, and a bunch of other stuff. Since I'm spending so much money replacing stuff, he's going to install the things that have nothing to do with the frame replacement for free, like the ac compressor, wheelbearings, etc. Plus, I bought many parts myself without the ridiculous dealer markup, so it's a win win for me.