New Tacoma Owner Frame Rust

2nd Gen 15 Tacoma V6, 91K

Hello everyone, this forum has been super helpful. I was looking to get some additional information on warranty for frames and some opinions on the state of my frame. To me it does appear surface for the most part but I am concerned about it rusting in between the laminated part of the frame. It's unclear on the warranty the stipulations about having to be in the rust belt. This vehicle is now in Oklahoma where I live and purchased it but spent the majority of its mileage in Michigan. I don't know if the frame warranty is 12 or 15 years. It's not showing any recalls. Any advise or information would be greatly appreciated!

 

Welcome to TW

I’m no expert but you could lightly tap those suspect areas with a ball peen hammer to see if they are just surface. Be gentle.

As for warranty coverage, I thought I heard it was for rust belt delivered vehicles that got the mandatory-to-continue-frame-coverage treatment. You would want to set up an account here and plug your VIN to see where your Tacoma was first delivered to clear up any confusion:
https://account.toyota.com/

It should also tell you the dealer service history and warranty status.

 

Frame is in good shape (as you'd expect, only 7-8 years old). There's a service campaign going up to 2017 model year Tacomas that sprays cavity wax in the boxed portion of the frame, and injects a rubberized sealer between the layers of the C-channel portion. If you want you can get that done as a preventative measure to slow down further corrosion. Better to just spray the frame with Krown/Woolwax/FluidFilm every year.

 

Wire wheel all the rust off and paint.

 

You are correct, but I don't think they use anything rubberized. You want to avoid anything rubberized because it will trap moisture under that rubberized layer.
I'd hit what you can reach with a wire wheel (don't forget your safety glasses), spray the areas with some Rust Oleum, let it dry for a week or two and fluid film (or pick the oil coating of your choice) those sandwiched areas really well. This will keep it from getting any worse. I like to do it while it's still nice and hot outside so the oil will wick into those sandwiched areas.

 

Thanks everyone! I looked up the service records and the prior owner declined the corrosion protection! God knows why but it sounds like due to declining that it likely won't be in warranty at this point anyways I was just kind of hoping it would be for piece of mind but Toyota would say it's not a replace situation regardless and then apply that weird CRC compound so I'm going to wire brush it and fluid film it - fluid film seems like it creeps pretty well or so I've read. Again, thank you Tacoma World Community!!!

 

He probably declined, because they often use a rubberized undercoating, which just makes things worse.
Just by the pictures it doesn’t look too bad and like someone already mentioned it, wire brush it, paint it and put fluid film on twice a year. When you keep the truck for longer then it is worth spending money for a compressor, the right spray gun (don’t cheap out here) and a gallon of fluid film.

 

Frame looks fine. Mine's the same way. Surface Shield or Fluid Film yearly. Your truck needs to go in (if it hasn't) to get the treatment for the frame to be warrantied. Simply call or take the truck in to see if they have in on file for it being done.

 

Fluid Film is good but it’s pretty sticky so I don’t think it creeps anywhere. I use Krown it’s more like an oil ( thinner than FF ) and it’s known for creeping into crevices .

 

Fluid Film most certainly does creep and is very oily. I can vouche for that.

 

I also like to use the Dollar General WD-40 type spray. It's a little heavier than WD-40 but wicks better than FF. I'll usually Fluid Film, then follow it up with the thinner stuff.
My 2014 frame is pretty much like new... other than being really sticky and greasy.
BUT, at least it's not rusty!

 

If the OP lives in OK where frames really don't rust, would a Toyota dealer in OK even have the chemicals to do a frame treatment?

 

Good question, probably not.

 

Are you on the original frame? I know you've replaced the rocker panels..

 

You are correct, they quit using the rubberized garbage [and it is garbage] a while ago and just spray the entire thing down with ''goo'' that hardens a bit but still stays sticky and ''greasy.'' They are supposed to powerwash the frame, let it dry completely, then treat it. Should take at least a day if they do it right, maybe 2.

 

In the North East, we wouldn't even call what's displayed here rust. This is all surface and no cause for concern. No harm in spraying it or removing it though.

 

Looks better than my truck and I'm out here in Washington

Granted they do salt the highways up in the mountains and I'm up there weekly in wintertime

 

I’ve only used it once when the bed was off the truck . Def thicker than Krown which has the consistency of WD 40. Either way they both good

 

New frame in 2018

 

Knock on wood, generally it seems the 12-15 frames are a bit better off than the 05-11 frames. I haven't personally seen any from 12+ beyond the threshold for normality.