New member rust concerns!

When I purchase my used cars, I buy them with intention of never selling them.
Tons of research tons of information before purchasing a used vehicle
This vehicle will be my 2nd (weekend)vehicle to fish and hunt with.

These are my past and current vehicles
1993 Toyota extra cab 3.0(sold needed 4door), 1985 4runner(should never have sold), 1997 landcruiser(sold, poor mpg,high miles), 1997 4runner (sold beater) 2000 landcruiser(selling soon need a newer car for wife))


Luckily I live in CA so finding a decent vehicle is easier for me vs members in other regions.
Despite my geographically beneficial location for Tacoma shopping,
I have serious concerns about the longevity of owning a Tacoma because of the rust issue.

In 5-10 years will my Tacoma be a well sorted out vehicle with a rusted out frame ?? With no warranty and little or no value?

I started looking into engine swaps on pickups and first gen 4runners?

Hate to give up the ride and overall driving experience of a 10 year newer Toyota truck, but the uncertainty of rust is pretty concerning.
Do all 1st gen Tacoma s have the same rust proofing issues?

 

If you live and drive your Taco in California (except close coastal areas like Bodega Bay for example) the rust problem does not apply. 22 years my Taco was in Sacramento area and I don't even have a surface rust. Bodega Bay area for example is different - you can sit on the porch and watch the rust eating the metal almost on front of you

 

Rust does not happen for no reason. You need moisture and air for rust to develop. If you go in places with high levels of humidity or go river crossing, then it might develop some rust over time, but in the warm and dry climate of california, you'll be alright. At the worst, you'll only have minimal rust. I'm sure it will take hundreds of years before it rusts through. Watch out for saltwater though, as salt accelerates the rust process, so avoid coastal areas if you are worried about rust on your truck.

actually, the trucks that are the most affected by the rust issue are from cold weather areas. Here in the north, it's not snow and ice that kills cars and trucks, it is the salt and chemicals they put on roads for de-icing. This crap is very corrosive to the underside of cars. Combined with little to no frame maintenance and rustproofing, this is what happens: the frame gets turned to swiss cheese.

Anyway, I wouldn't worry at all. Tacomas are very reliable trucks if well taken care of and you live in california, so the chances your truck will develop severe frame rust are almost 0% (unless you frequently go in saltwater)

good luck!

 

Pretty much the winter Chemicals does in the frame

Not sure on Earth where you could get away from Moisture and Air .

Then from the California drivers I have seen i doubt Rust and Mechanical problems should be your major concerns

 

Good to hear.
I am going to start seriously looking after I sell my bmw e30

 

My 2004 was originally a CA truck for the first ten years of it's life. It's now been in Wyoming where they salt the roads for 2 winters. So far, so good. It is getting a fair amount of surface rust but I fluid film the frame inside and out just before winter after washing it over and over again all summer long. In the winter, it gets the undercarriage washed at least every week. It's almost the end of summer and all summer long it's gotten an undercarriage wash every week. There is still fluid film flowing out of the frame holes from inside the frame and I stuff the pressure washer in all the frame holes and blow the dirt out of there at the beginning of summer and at the end of summer more than once before I apply more fluid film inside and out on the frame at the end of the summer.

 

X2, or x10, or x a million They salt the roads in NY in anticipation of a snow storm. You see it all the time.