Rusty frame opinion.

im looking at possibly buying this 04. Truck was supposedly from Florida. Frame has never been replaced and looks to be just surface type rust to me. It's a couple hours drive to go look at it so I wanted some opinions on rather it's no big deal or pass. Thanks.

 

Thats not bad at all. You can actually use that light surface rust to your advantage. Go on ebay and buy a quart of undercoat called POR15. That stuff is amazing. You apply it to metal with surface rust and it bonds to the metal even better. Its actually recommend that you only apply it to lighty rusted metal

 

Idk id pass personally, theres no telling what the inside of the frame looks like

 

Compared to my Noreaster, that looks "new". But still, should there be something unseen inside the frame, you should find out what coverage you would have under the 15 year extended frame warranty. If the truck resided in Florida (not one of the cold weather states identified in the warranty) durning the time the warranty extension was established, and then the related warranty conditions (undercoating), you may still be covered. Other non-cold weather state trucks have had their frames replaced under the warranty.

All that said, a Toyota dealer would need to inspect the frame and advise on the condition.

Where are you located, and where will the truck reside if you buy it? Some southern truck frames have been reported to rust through when moved to cold weather locals.

 

If that's what it looks like on the outside, what about the hidden nooks and crannies? I'm skeptical and like to play it safe with rust. Chances are there's more to be found under there. If you want to chance it, just be sure to inspect every inch of the truck. Especially near the cats.

 

I'm in Louisiana

 

If the price is right buy the truck if it is to expensive walk away !!!!

 

Doesn't look bad at all. Like you said looks like surface rust mostly. If you end up getting it, treat the inside and out of the frame before it becomes an issue years down the road.

 

Where I live truck frames look like that after a few years.

To me that much rust is no big deal, if I were shopping and found one like that I'd be thrilled. Only you know what you are comfortable with.

 

These frames have a tendency to rust from the inside out, what you see might not be as bad as what you can't...just something to consider

 

Sure looks like surface rust. It would have to be seen in person, and tapped (not pounded) with a ball peen hammer the length of the frame. You can almost tell by the ring how sound the metal is. As has been mentioned above, the points above the spring mounts and boxed in areas near the drains have been common failure areas. I've had three Tacomas die the slow death by oxidation, fortunately all were under the buy back/extended warranty.

It's also a matter of price. Weigh all that, these comments, and what it takes to give you peace of mind should you buy it. Good luck.

 

Yeah the hammer thing is a good idea. Rust doesn't look too bad but again thats coming from someone used to seeing frames rusted by Ohio weather. Seems thats a lot of rust for Florida, I guess if they live by the ocean/ gulf then salt could still be a factor though. I'd give it a heavier inspection inside the frame with a flashlight and be skeptical myself especially with the rusty frame stigma the Tacomas face. If those pictures are taken by the seller they may have conveniently skipped some bad spots...

If you judge it to be fine and do buy it, treat it for sure. Some use POR15 like mentioned, I used some of Eastwood's products including their internal frame coating, and Fluid Film.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/application-of-fluid-film.229505/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/frame-restoration-did-it-myself.368199/

 

Thanks for the links!

 

no problem heres another. the rust thread to end all rust threads

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rust-prevention-treatment-consolidation-thread.355928/

 

Before applying rust inhibitor inside the frame. I'd tap it with a hammer to try and loosen inside the frame.
I thought about using a stiff wire and a fishing weight on a drill. (or something similar) to get to hidden area's inside the frame.

 

Now that's amazing!

 

por15 for the win

 

http://www.autorust.com/product-category/toyota-tacoma/