Help talk me off a first gen rust ledge...

Hey TW,

Long time follower of the forum, first time poster.

I think I'm going down a dark hole with regards to the frame rust I read all about on a 2004 taco.

I recently purchased a, new to me, long time dream truck. A 2004 2.4 Manual Tacoma. It'll be my daily and around town dingus. It's so clean. The previous owners took great care of it. Interior looks new and there are not dents or scuffs on the exterior.



I'm well aware of the frame rust that was affecting the first gens. I had Toyota inspect my truck immediately after I bought it. They said it looks great. It needed the belts replaced and they found a leak with the gear plate. Other than that, all good.

I asked the service advisor to inspect the frame, but he disregarded it and said they don't normally do that. Which threw me off. But when I picked it up they said the truck looked great. And from my untrained eye, the frame looks fine. A few spots of rust along the sides, but nothing size-able. The hole I'm going down is worrying about the frame eventually rusting out. The truck is old, it has 204,000 miles on it... but, I really want to drive it around for at least 8+ years. For some reason I'm stressing about the frame rotting out. Am I overreacting?

I live in the bay area, I believe the truck has lived in Northern Cali (sacramento, yuba city and now me) for its whole life. I don't know if it's ever been driven in the snow.

I called Toyota Corporate and leveled with the rep and they said to have the frame inspected and documented if it needed repair, but now I feel like I'm being paranoid/annoying because the Toyota tech said things looked good...

Will the frame FOR SURE rust out, or is it just SOME of the first gens? I know location and driving conditions matter most, but I just want this little thing to last and last and last. I trust this community and if it sounds like I need to bring it down a bit, tell me!

EDIT: Photos attached!

 

Welcome to TW..you got some pics?

 

Rust is forever, it is a matter of degree. Post pics for us, you can also do the hammer test (search TW for it). Basically hit the frame in varisou places with a ball-been hammer. They rust from the inside. if the hammer pops a hole it in, issues...

 

If the truck is a California truck, and has spent most of it's life in California... I'd stop worrying.

I've had my truck since 2004 (Central Valley CA). Almost 390,000 miles. I beat the dog shit out of it on the trails now. No issues.



The rust issues are mostly from rust belt States where it snows and they salt the roads.

 

Central Valley is way more arid than the coast. If they didn't go mudding without cleaning it up, or went into the sierra a lot, could be a concern, but it sounds like overall condition indicated PO took care of it.

 

The biggest question is do you live somewhere that sees regular road salt/brine in winter. If yes, then simply treat the frame inside and out with your favorite non-solidifying rust preventive and maintain that coating so long as you own the truck.


Edit: if you are that paranoid just hit the frame where it faces the engine/cats and exhaust with a ball peen hammer. Should be nice and intact. And if you are ultra paranoid get a cheap boroscope or have a shop scope the frame. The bad rust develops inside out, rather than outside in.

 

Just added a bunch of photos taken on my break!

 

Stop worrying

 

whats your worry? They prob dont salt the roads there, looks better than a lot of newer frames that are in the salt roads zone

 

Bro, that's cleaner than my 2019. You good

 

That truck will be here after we're all gone...

 

Looks brand new lol

 

That's immaculately clean.
You have zero to worry about.

My truck looked like that until I got bogged in a salt flat in Baja because I was being an idiot. Salt mud (or is it mud salt) is the worst.

 

That is cleaner than my 2020 here in Canada

 

I have a 2003 driven in NJ and I had my frame replaced about 4 years ago even though it wasn’t necessary. Your frame looks better than my new one does now and even that looks good. Stop worrying, change all your fluids, check your valves, inflate the tires and drive that thing for 20 more years. You are fine.

 

That looks awesome! I wouldn't worry one bit!

 

Looks like a Texas Truck. Enjoy it and stop overthinking it.

 

Bro if you go into a dealer asking them to inspect your frame they’re going to think you’re flexing. That’s basically a perfect frame for an 04. Get on outta here now.

 

Very clean, the worrisome frames that I've seen are 80-90% covered in rust, look like swiss cheese, and are still being driven!
I'd say this is probably about the cleanest looking frame you will ever see on a almost 20 year old truck. You are good for another 20 in Cali
Not a expert by any means sooo... FWIW

 

Hell I think you’re bragging. Looks good.