2004 cracked frame

Well it finally happened...I was searching around the truck for a phantom gas odor and noticed my frame it dust.

It's cracked and corroded on both sides of the truck forward the rear axle.

I've got a case opened with Toyota and it sounds positive.

The frame was coated back in 2009, so hopefully it will be replaced.

Not sure how long this process takes or what all gets replaced but I'm a little leary driving it.

Any pointers before it goes under the knife?

 

Gosh there are literally dozens and dozens of these threads asking the very same question. Good thing you noticed in time and had that dang thing coated back when you were posed too!! You shouldn't have a problem getting it swapped really. If toyota let you drive it off the lot im sure its okay to keep driving it, i wouldn't worry. Time lines seem to vary quite a bit between dealers fur some reason. If there is anything you want done now will be the time to do so as they will have everything apart and you wont have to pay the labor if its a part they have to remove anyhow, example would be a new lift or suspension, stuff like that! You'll have basically a whole new truck after the replacement! There are alot of 1st gen owners that would give thier left nut to have a replaced frame. Alot of people didnt get the inspection and coating done and are now SOL with a basically useless truck with a completely rusted out frame.

**edit**
I retract my statement of it being okay to drive! I thought you did have it inspected and they let you drive away. Since they havent seen it yet i too would be leary of driving it too much!

 

I do feel very fortunate to be getting it replaced!

Before I bought it, I checked into the frame coating to make sure it was done per Toyota's notice.

I had until 2019, so every few months I'd climb underneath and poke around. I couldn't believe what I saw!

I almost wonder if the frame is flexing when I stop. I'm getting a thunk like axle wrap but have basically brand new HD springs.
I'll keep everyone updated on this super exciting thread! Lol...

 

Can't believe they let you drive it away. It seems to me anything that bad on both sides between the axles surely could compromise the frame's integrity.

Congratulation on the new frame. Review some of the other frame threads for some ideas on work to do while under repair. Lots of options there.

 

I got mine replaced last spring. Took 2 months for the new frame to come in and a week and 2 days for them to get it done. They replace all the fuel and brake lines, along with front shocks and lower a-arms and ball joints along with the rear leaf springs but not the rear shocks which kinda annoyed me but whatever. I was just thankful they did it! They replace a lot of other small things that I can't think of at the moment.

 

Thanks man. It really is crazy how bad it is once you look at it. If I got in a collision I guarantee that bitch would bust in half.

I haven't had it inspected since finding the breaks / corrosion. Based upon my description, phone conversation and history Toyota Corporate scheduled an inspection for Tuesday.
My "case worker" assured me it will be replaced if the integrity of the frame is comprised.

I just replaced my shocks, coils and springs so I'll probably just reinstall them.

 

had mine swapped a month ago. took them 4 months to get the frame in and two weeks to complete the job.

the dealer i took mine to wouldnt add anything other than toyota parts to the truck. i had purchased a full OME kit, allpro uppers, brake lines, and all sorts of other stuff. was hoping that they would do it but im on my own now. lol

applied fluid film to the frame a couple days ago and will do it every fall just to be safe.

good luck on getting it replaced!!

 

Seems to be a very dealer specific situation. My dealer re-installed my suspension parts (OME 880 coils, Rough Country shocks all around, Wheeler's 5 leaf springs/shackles/bushings/greaseable bolts), but would not give me the OEM leaf springs unless they were installed on the truck. I said keep the OEM springs. I did not want to have to remove them and reinstall mine. Granted these were not new uninstalled parts, but my impression was that they would install any other new parts I provided. Of course, they wanted to do other front end work (tie rods and the like which were not included with the frame), but I declined. My mechanic did them for half the price.

 

At least it isn't THIS bad...

 

Now that's bad.

Judging from the rims, that is a pre-2001 Tacoma, which would have been subject to the buy back, if this happened before that program expired. No frame swaps for '95.5-00.

 

Wow really, thats pretty lame of them to not install your goodies! Havent really heard of anyone having that issue before. Its kinda strange how different one dealer conducts business vrs another when it comes to things like that...

 

this is the shittiest dealer ive ever dealt with, sucks since they are the closest one to me. they are only about the money and not repeat business. not the first time ive had problems with them but this is the last. will drive the hour to get to the next one from now on.

when i got the frame done i asked about the parts i have purchased to be put on while the truck was apart and he said no, "i have to document the swap and report it to Toyota". ok i didnt have a problem with that, i can do the work myself. get a call from the service manager, gave me a list of parts needed for the swap (nuts & bolts), ok i dont have a problem with that since Toyota told me that some parts wont be covered. I go in one day to see the truck and asked the service manager if i buy Toyota parts if he would swap them out for free since the truck was apart, he says "now is the time to do it since labor is free"(also have that in email). i order parts (LBJ's, rad hoses, cab mounts, charcoal canister, 1200 bucks in total), and a shit ton of other parts. I take the parts in and the truck is almost completely assembled and the tech says all the extra parts will be extra labor, i called BS and he says thats typical Keith (service manager). I was also supposed to get a rental for the two weeks but they never gave me one, always claimed they were all out.

so after the truck was done, i took my keys and left. last time i ever go there again! I feel better now. lol

 

Wow they really are shitty! Those kind of shenanigans really get under my skin! No need for that kind of stuff, especially when they'd pry be better off being helpful and gaining all those return customers. I jave to think that stuff will eventually bite em in the ass when they've exhausted most of the would be customers in the area...
Lol i bet that rant did make ya feel better, a lil bit atleast!

 

The frame replacement did get the go-ahead. They placed the work order so the frame could be made.

The dealer I'm working with has been pretty terrible in the communication department though.

I still can't get an answer about a loaner vehicle, they seem to keep dodging the question. And they never called me back to tell me the frame will be replaced.

It seems to me that if a frame is bad enough to replace then it shouldn't be safe to drive, right? Or am I way off the mark?

Don't get me wrong I am grateful that I'm getting it replaced, I'm just a little leary bringing my young daughter in a unsafe vehicle.

 

Service really does vary from dealer to dealer. Mine was very accommodating. No hassles.

It would seem that they would not let you drive away in a dangerous vehicle. But your experience with the dealer leaves room for dought. When my '97 went, they let me drive it until I had to turn it in as the rust was not in a critical area. But my '01 had gone in several places between the axles, and they said no way. I had to come back later in the day for a loaner (I had to work and could not wait around for one).

I guess I'd be concerned about driving it in your case.

 

Hopefully I will have a answer tomorrow on the rental. I guarantee I'll have to initiate the call to them though...

I realize I'm not their only concern but I was hoping for a little better service.

I have a feeling it's going to be "just drive it until the frame comes in"

I'll update tomorrow.

 

I didn't realize they were still swapping frames on first gens

Wish mine would break

 

LA truck? Not likely to see rust of the sort required to compromise a frame. Unless you drive on the beach.....

 

Born in Fremont , ca

194k highway Los Angeles miles

 

It must be a beautiful thing to see an undercarriage without rust.