How tough is the frame replacement battle?

I just found a hole large enough to fit a crushed beer can right on the passenger side where the shock connects under the leaf spring on my 2003 TRD. Here to see what kind of headache I am going to deal with, I purchased the truck out of state and drove it to Colorado. The guy who sold it used liquid nail to stick a piece of metal to it and then undercoated over it with some kind of bed liner looking stuff. I was under the truck for over 45 minutes with a hammer looking for something like this and even hit this spot without any flakes falling down. Trying to figure out if I have a winning battle with toyota or if I am going to break this guys legs with a bat. I am not going to move it an inch until I talk to a dealer.

This thing is going to snap in half. I started to notice a noise that sounded like a coffee can bouncing around in the bed.

 

unfortunately you’re too late. The coverage for the warranty extension is 15 years from the date of first use (original purchase date), and they won’t make any exceptions. The warranty extension is a agreement that Toyota makes with NHTSA (National Highway Transportation & Safety Administration) saying they’ll cover these vehicles for a specified time period and/or mileage. So as far as Toyota is concerned, you’re coverage is expired, too bad. It sounds like you bought from a private party, so legally you probably don’t have a leg to stand on, cause it’s buyer beware. Hate to say it, sounds like you got screwed

 

Hate to say it but even the inner fender wells look like the metal is flaking under the paint. How well did you check this truck over? We’re your eyes open or closed?

 

out of luck. Not sure if you can get your money back. If you can't, then start looking for a replacement frame to do the swap yourself or junk the thing and take it as a hard learned lesson.

 

Are there clauses in your local state on sellers selling cars with problems and not telling about them? In cali, I believe the cutoff is 3 days to get your money back and give back the vehicle. Problem is proving that the selling party knew.

 

Michigan To Colorado Far.

 

that blows

 

I think I am going to try going after the dealer. He told me he did the undercoating when he first got the truck in. this proved he covered it up with metal and undercoating. They sell those metal "rust repair" metal cut outs. I think they are horrible but might be good enough keep it standing upright to keep around or sell for parts. I had a weird feeling in my gut when I was done under there even after hitting everywhere I could reach with a small hammer. This was the only one out of 4 that I did not bust a hole through. After seeing the other 3 Trucks in Michigan I should have known better. I am not the type that can just cover it up and pass it on. We only paid 5000 for it so its a tough lesson but it wont bankrupt us to sell it to someone for parts.

 

Why Truck Shop in Michigan ?? Why not south to New Mexico or Texas ?

Break out the welder or get someone else to fix it.

The Money you spend on Lawyers will be better spent fixing the truck.

To get anything you have to prove criminal intent .

Have time to travel to Michigan often only to get there and be told the date has been rescheduled.

Best of Luck.

 

Sorry OP me thinks this ones on you. Afterall, you did go truck shopping in Michigan of all places. A Toyota dealership isnt gonna do anything, and I highly doubt youll get anything out of the seller.

Warranty is up once the ink dries on the title, as they say.

 

Feel your pain.
I live in Ohio and we go south for cars.
Everything rots to pieces up here with the salt and blue corrosive stuff they spray on our roads. I was looking for a used Tacoma in 2017 and bought a new one instead from all the rusted frames I saw. The first clue I learned was to look in the bed and see if the spare was in the bed and not under it. They fall out from the rust and saved me time crawling underneath. Seen a lot of clean bodies with low miles and frames that were toast.
My bother in law did a frame swap at home on his 93. He found a clean 85 frame and everything went together. Said it wasn't hard to do with the right tools and equipment. Good luck.

 

Part it out. The hard black undercoating keeps on taking by causing more rust. You'll need 50 posts here before you can post in the for sale forum. Good luck.