looking at used Taco, rust on rear fender flare?

I'm on the hunt for a new to me Tacoma and looking for a 2012-15 model. I saw one online at a dealer and there was only one photo but my girlfriend was in the area (the truck is about an hour and a half from me) and she took some photos of it for me. On to the point. The rear fender flare has what looks to me like some sort of cut out and this particular truck looks like there is rust along that. What is the point of this, and has anyone seen this happen before? The truck is in great shape otherwise inside, outside, and underneath! I will look at it myself if i can get there soon but until then I wanted to hear from others.

 

Welcome to TW



The "cutout" is a clear vinyl paint protector. What looks like rust is dirt around the edge. The fenders are plastic, therefore they do not rust.

Edit: BTW - Good choice, the 2012-2015 2nd gen Tacomas are the BEST. (Suck it turd gens! - first gens are of equal awesomeness.)

 

Glad to be here! Hopefully any future posts will be as a Tacoma owner.

Thank you for the quick reply! That makes complete sense...I saw the photo and got worried before even thinking that they're plastic. DOH! I've been driving my first and only vehicle, a '97 Cherokee, for about 12 years now so searching for something new is a different world to me. I don't know if these vinyl protectors are even talked about much, but do any of you remove them? I guess it would protect from rocks and what not, otherwise it looks like a nice dirt collector.

EDIT: Is there anything I should be on the lookout for as far as something that could lead to problems down the road? Specifically the TRD off road or sport models.

 

Secondary air injection pump failures (2012-2015)

 

Ohhhhhh a fellow XJ driver! I've got a built '98, just don't tell any of the other Tacoma owners



As far as things to look out for, make sure it hasn't been in an accident - give it a thorough walk around. Crawl underneath it and see if it has been abused. A tell-tale sign is a crushed exhaust pipe right next to the transfer case/transmission crossmember. Look for parts that have been recently replaced. Obviously some items will be - spark plugs, u-joints, etc - but if the truck has one very clear fog light I would start asking why, know what I mean? If it's 4wd, make sure it goes in and out of 4 high and low as it should. Check that the locker engages properly of it has one. Just flip every freaking switch and make sure it does what it's supposed to.

Don't find reasons to buy the truck, look for reasons not to buy it then negotiate a lower price. Get a Carfax or other vehicle report on the dealer's dime, too.

 

That truck needs TLC and a good detail.

The fender flares are plastic, so they can’t rust. What you are seeing is metallic flakes that have embedded in the paint and those are starting to rust.
Now this will eventually hurt the integrity of the paint.
A very simple cleaning process will take care of this.
Clay bar.
Mother’s makes a great $18-20 kit with two clay bars, lube, and a microfiber towel.
Watch a Youtube video from Chemical Guys or Adams polishes to show you how to do it. It’s very easy.

You should clay your truck once a year to avoid this stuff AND remove the pointless clear plastic from the truck.

 

Thanks, I'll look into that!

Hey hey! I won't tell. I love my XJ, but it's way beyond time for something else. Mine is pretty much stock but I don't plan on getting rid of it and that may not be the case forever once I have another daily driver. Thank you for the tips!

Awesome, I'll head over to youtube tonight and check that stuff out. I used to have some mother's stuff hanging around back when my Jeep looked newer and nicer.

 

@hoverlover, you still fly r44s?

 

crawl under and wiggle both cv axles where they go into front diff. The needle bearings are a weak point. Look at the frame were the weld joints are, that's where the paint will let loose first. Also look at the lower cam bolts, if it had front end damaged the piece of metal that backs the lower cam bolt usually shears off. Make sure to make sure engine drain bolt isn't rounded off. Stick your finger in the frame transport points and feel inside to see how much dirt is in it, tell tale signs of lots of playing and no cleaning. If it has a tow hitch, take it out and see if the top and bottom of receiver is deformed and/or shiny. If it is, the truck has been towing and a lot of attention needs to be paid to the transmission before purchase. Smell the atf, if it's scorched I would wait for another truck.

 

When I wax mine its a white line around it,lol

 

Yep - 22's, 44's, occasionally an EC120.

 

Nice, I am sending a 44 down to Australia for a camel irradication contract in 2019. I am headed back down in Oct to get my CASA endorsement for external load. If you think you want a change of pace, by 2020 I plan to have two or three choppers going. But it requires being in Australia 6 months at a time in the outback. No phone, no Internet, tent living, your fuel is delivered to stations (ranches) and works on an honor system. It's wild.

 

Sounds like my kind of job! The wife would actually love it too.

 

As they said above. That not rust, it is just dirt that sticks to the edge of the clear vinyl protector. It will show in light color car. I got a brand new pearl white Lexus and that part starts to look like that in few months.

 

Thanks to all of you! I haven't been active on any forums in a few years and I know people usually don't like seeing an older thread back at the top, but I thought I'd update to say I got the truck. It's a 2012 TRD Sport with 75,000 miles and some change! Coming from a '97 Cherokee it feels brand new and luxury. I can't wait for the adventures to come and, hopefully, reliability I've been envious of!