Thoughts on this painted frame ? (Rust)

I’m under negotiations with this 08 taco, $14k, 90k miles. From a non mechanically trained eye it’s a very clean truck. Good service records.

what concerns me is that the frame is painted. The dealer confirmed that they purchased it this way, and that it is paint and NOT an anti corrosion coating.

I can’t help but be suspicious about why someone would paint the frame? Maybe because the truck has a lift, and a fresh black coat looks cool. Or maybe they’re hiding something ?

I took it to a mechanic for pre purchase inspection. He poked at the frame with a screwdriver and it only chipped and flaked in a few areas above the wheel wells. He didn’t seem so concerned with the frame rust.

I guess I feel like the truck is somewhat underpriced, although I should mention it was involved in an accident. Minor damage reported.

Am I being over cautious? I just don’t want to get stuck with the world’s most reliable truck sitting on a ticking time bomb of a frame.

Thanks !

 

I'm guessing that frame was replaced in the recall.

 

Wouldn’t it show up in the carfax? Or a recall search via vin number ? I checked both and there was no mention of frame replacement. Only leaf springs and seatbelt recalls. Thanks

 

I wouldn’t worry too much about it. It was obviously replaced under the service campaign. The replacement probably started to rust and the guy probably decided to just paint it to slow the new rust and make it look better. It appears he also painted the leafs and stuff to make match.

I think it’s in better shape than most 08’s. If everything else looks good and you’re ok with the price then buy it and start treating the frame with an oil coating every year and you should be fine for the rest of the life of the truck.

 

I don't thing there was a "recall" for the frame. More of "bring in your truck will inspect it for you notice". If there were 10mm+ holes in the frame, the frame was replaced. If the holes were small enough or didn't exist, some type of treatment was sprayed on the frame.

Have a Toyota dealer check the VIN for frame replacement history.

From the pictures, the underside looks pretty clean for a 2008. Ignoring the frame for a moment, the rest of what is visable in the pictures doesn't look too bad. If someone did paint the frame, they did a good job (limited overspray/paint, didn't paint over stickers). When I bought my truck new in 2010 I painted the frame and have rust proofed it yearly since. I did that to stop the frame from rusting, like what happend on the Jimmy the Tacoma replaced. Paint could be an attempt to cover up rust or someone taking care of the vechile. You're correct in questioning it.