‘05 frame rusted beyond repair - advice on what to do?

Hey folks - I learned earlier this week that my 05 Tacoma frame is rusted beyond repair. The rust is between the front crossbeam and front tires on both sides. Total cost for repair would be ~$12k.

B/c of this, as well as recently having our first child (and my wife hating the Taco’s cab size), I am upsizing to a 2nd gen Tundra.

However, I’m at a loss as for what to do with my Tacoma. I’m essentially counting it as a total loss, but want to try to get something for it. Do I just trade it in if buying a Tundra from a dealer? Or sell it and fully disclose the frame damage (I’m not hiding the frame from any private buyer). I’d rather not go through the long process of parting it out.

If anyone has any advice or wisdom, I’d be more than appreciative to hear it.

Thanks!

Note: my truck had a 15 year frame warranty, so Toyota frame replacement is not an option.

 

Tough spot you're in. the dealer probably wouldn't give you much for it honestly (but worth asking for convenience). You might try calling up your local Copart or IAAI and see if they can sell it for you. Or your local equipment auction (the one in my area consigns most rigs). Or your local junk yards that deal in Toyotas to see what they would offer as a parts rig.


If it was me . . . . I wouldn't sell it privately . .. your target buyer on that truck isnt an empty nest boomer who lives on a lake. .. it'll be a tooth grinder who can't tie his own shoes and is liable to hurt himself then claim you didn't disclose all the issues after it breaks hauling 2K pounds of air compressors and crashes into a ditch. I also wouldn't sell it to somebody who wants to part it out, too much risk of something coming back to me and the guy reselling the frame connected to my name.

Have you ever seen videos from places like Auto Parts City and wonder why did someone just JUNK that great looking car? Because they are smart and value their time and don't want junkies, tire kickers, or future headaches.

 

Maybe donate it to a trade school and take the tax advantage at the end of the yr.

 

Do you live in a place with rough winter conditions and salt? I’ve heard this is a major problem with the trucks, I’m trying to avoid having it happen to me..

 

Can you post any pictures of the worst spots?

I would try to trade it in. Preferably to a non Toyota dealer so they don't know the common rust areas. Let it be their problem and hope they don't see the rust. They will send it to action anyway with the truck being an 05.

 

Depends on how the rest of the truck is. You could sell it to somebody who does their own welding/fabricating. I'll bet doing their own work would reduce that $12k cost substantially.

 

Here are pictures of the frame:

 

Sell it as a parts truck complete with no title, if it mechanically in good shape it’s worth $4-5 all day long

 

Really not a risk to sell privately with disclosure. Someone may just want the cab and junk the rest.

You just need to type up some formal documents and bill of sale and both yourself and buyer sign acknowledging the sale is “as is” and note the frame rust damage.

 

id try to trade it on to a dealer, reduce liability to the general public