Best course of action with rotted frame?

Hello, I have a 2006 tacoma I bought in February of this year I have spent $500 on welding the frame. I checked this morning and I found another crack in the frame. When I called toyota they said that my recall expired, but they’ll open a case for me. They told me I have to pay $100 dollars for a diagnostic test however. I’m 17 and I don’t want to waste my money on these things and I’m wondering what the best course of action for this situation would be?

 

Unfortunately the best course of action is try to find another frame (unrusted of course) and swap it yourself. 99.999999% chance Toyota won't touch it with a warranty.

 

You are outside of the window of Toyota buying you a new frame. So I seriously doubt that they would be willing to do a “good will” repair given the cost. The only reason they did it in the first place was because they were forced to do it.

The previous owner probably knew this and passed the problem onto the next person.

 

This...or part it out and learn a valuable (possibly expensive) lesson. Engine, trans, doors, body panels could net you quite a bit of money, but it will also take some time to disassemble and sell.

 

Dealership just wants your ''don't have to do anything'' $100.

 

https://www.autorust.com/product-category/toyota/tacoma-2005-2015-2nd-gen-double-cab/

 

Drive it softly till it dies... might be surprised how far she'll keep going....save your money cause you most likely won't get much selling it after that. I'd salvage everything I could off it and scrap the rest.

I know it sucks but you'll def be more aware of these problems in the future. The most valuable thing you can take away from this is not letting it happen again. Good Luck!

 

So sorry you were taken advantage of by the previous owners.

 

Shut the front door!... I didn't know this was a thing! OP I would replace the rusted areas and then do fluid film on the whole frame to prevent more rust from forming and either drive it til it dies or sell it to get your money out of it

 

These have been around for a while, if you live in a state where inspection isn’t a thing they are a viable option. It’s not cheap.

 

Someone did it around here on the forum not too long ago for a decent price.

 

Toyota will do nothing for you,DO NOT give them any.money.

 

Option B…. Buy a frame and convince a couple of your buddies to work all weekend for beer and a sheet pizza…

 

The extended warranty expired 12 years from in service date, so likely in 2018 or a smidge before. Don't waste your breath or your $100 with anything Toyota suggests.

Good for you.

Does RI not have inspections? That's not gonna pass if you actually have an inspector who is awake.

 

If you can find another frame and have the means to do it than then go for it!

Otherwise, I would drill the crack on the frame, and then weld it up (seems like you have access to a welder and know how to use it).

 

Safety cap makes reinforcement sections. But really you need the assess the entire frame to see if it’s salvageable or you need to swap frame.

 

You seem to be focusing on the frame only. It may be a lot of money for a 17 year old but $500 is not the issue. You need to get some help assessing the rest of the truck once you've realized the frame is toast. If the balance of the truck is worthy and even if you have to spend several couple of thousands to end up with a road worthy frame and truck, then 1) make an informed decision, 2) pull the trigger, and 3) don't look back.

If your Tacoma is in the 100K or less mileage neighborhood, if all major drive-line, safety, and needed comfort systems have been maintained and are in good shape then get some help estimating what the truck would be worth after you had the "cancered" frame replaced. Take 50% or less of that value projection and call that what the truck is worth to you effectively repaired. Then think about how many more years you would be able, willing, and happy driving the truck.

Then, make a very simple win/win/win decision. 1) Cut your loses and sell the truck because YOU decided its a piece of crap, 2) fix it right because you KNOW what the rest of the truck is worth and either fix the crap and drive the truck or 3) fix it right because you KNOW what you have in the rest of the truck and sell it.