Frame Replacement Approved -- Concerns about unknown costs!

My brake lines were replaced and covered. Also, my brake calipers seized while the truck sat for two weeks so I complained and they replaced that for no charge. I mostly complained because they gave the truck back to me without test driving it, which was unsafe so maybe that's how I got away with it. My truck was an 06 and the calipers were barely a year old.

 

My dealer got $20k from Toyota for my '06 frame swap, so evidently there were necessary extras that Toyota paid for. I saw the invoice they sent to Toyota. Didn't cost me a penny. However, I did have them install new shocks on my dime, no labor charge. I'm sure they made markup on that.

If they're warning you upfront, they're obligated to estimate your potential costs, just like any other job they do. They're probably not going to do that, too time consuming. They want an up front open-ended commitment from you, which is NOT the way it works.
Run screaming away.

 

My 07 frame was replaced at zero cost to me. Lots of new parts. LCA with joints, brake lines, rear springs and a ton of incidentals.

 

I had an 04 that had the frame done and brake lines, gas lines, LCA, leaf springs and shackles where main parts i can think of that were replaced. I paid nothing. IIrc the frames are ordered as a kit. Some kits are diferent. My 07 also had same replacement parts done. 07 was done before i bought it. I would call toyota corp with your case number. I remember when my 04 was done i called toyota corp often and they gave me alot of info. Ive talked a few other tacoma and tundra owners and brake lines and gas lines were always part of the frame swap free.

 

OP....I think the ones that had their frame done, and also hadmany other parts replaced at no cost, tells you something about the dealer you are using.
The person you spoke to may have been just ill-informed. Or they may have been setting you up to get ripped off.
Arm yourself with all this info and either speak to your dealer, or contact Toyota to see if you can switch dealers.
Or maybe others have had the experience of changing dealers after the frame has been ordered.

 

This doesn’t seem right. Granted, all service departments are not created equal, but my replacement didn’t cost me a penny. The bill was over $10k. Anything needing replacement while they did the work, Toyota covered.

I don’t quite recall the details, but the leaf springs weren’t available at the time. I went back and got them later. Again, no cost.

 

Shit just print it out so you have it.

 

While I don’t live where this is needed. I would think if it’s part of a rolling chassis. Ie. Cab and bed removed engine removed. Anything part of the rolling chassis should be covered imo.( minus drivetrain parts)

 

That's what you need!!!

 

Thank you all for the advice.

bottom line, I will not have them do this work if they expect an open ended commitment from me. I called the service advisor and he claims that he already ordered the frame and I can’t stop the process. Don’t recall signing a commitment... I signed a form that lists that they inspected the frame but how can I already be committed. The paper work doesn’t say anything like that.

I will call big Toyota to hear what they have to say.

 

Thank you all for the advice.

bottom line, I will not have them do this work if they expect an open ended commitment from me. I called the service advisor and he claims that he already ordered the frame and I can’t stop the process. Don’t recall signing a commitment... I signed a form that lists that they inspected the frame but how can I already be committed. The paper work doesn’t say anything like that.

I will call big Toyota to hear what they have to say.

 

I, too, had a frame replacement on a 2007, including all the aforementioned items. Brake lines, UCA, etc. are included. If you're worried about it, just tell the dealer that you need to approve anything over and above. My dealer called me about a couple of unrelated items that were easier (and cheaper!) to fix while the thing was all apart anyway. You are getting a bargain as it is. Just make sure you communicate clearly...

 

^ LCA, not UCA

 

As stated previously, make sure the dealer is very experienced in this process.
I bought my 08 AC one week after the original owner had the frame replaced. He gave me all the accompanying paper work for the truck.
Frame recall cost almost $12K. There were many,many suggestions for further work while doing the recall. He did very little of it. I have done most of it since owning the truck. I would suggest doing the steering rack and power steering and transmission lines if they suggest it.
Good luck, Stop back when its done.

 

I am soon going to pick up my truck. (in a few hours). Thanks to everyone here, I think things are looking positive. As mentioned earlier, the dealer warned me that I will have to pay for clips/screws, bolts, and etc as well as other misc items that might break when the procedure is performed. Thanks to you all, I used the information I received here, and the documentation someone posted to show them that I don't expect to pay for any of the things in the kit. Further, I called BIG Toyota and they sent me an internal instruction they sent to all dealers about the process they are to follow to request reimbursement from Toyota and that the customer should not be charged for any of these items. The service guy didn't accept my word at first but when I dropped the documentation on the counter, he changed is tune. I will update everyone in a few hours.

 

I got my truck back and everything seems okay (knock on wood). It cost me a total of $0.00. It appears either the dealership wasn't aware of the reimbursement process or elected to screw their customers over. They didn't try to upcharge me on anything and everything was covered.

Again, I thank all of you because by informing me of the process and expectations, I was able to demonstrate that I was knowledgeable customer. I think that had a big influence on things...

Before I left the lot I checked everything out that I could. Did the usual, check the parking break, 4WD. Lights...wipers, backup camera... checked oil...looked for fluid on the ground....etc... So far so good.

Thanks all.

 

Very nice! Congrats on the new frame

 

Congrats on the frame.
I was under the impression that is they broke it coming off, they ate it.
I ended up with a new wheel cylinder and battery because it sat for about 3 months

All the while racking up tons of miles on a 14 dcsb loaner. I was nice about it though. I did bring it back to them so that they could change their oil a couple or three times.

 

Now go spray that new frame with some fluid film. Because tomorrow is the first day it starts rusting again.

 

I got all new brake lines at no charge. Plus, LCA's come with the new frame. I paid Alittle money for a new heater hose and gave them new rear shocks to install. No labor charges on the hose. None on the shocks. They found a compromised ABS wire when the bed was lifted off and charged me 15 bucks. The ABS light had been (unsuccessfully) troubleshot (?) By another mechanic so I was happy that this was uncovered during the frame replacement.