Good Deal?? 2004 Tacoma- $15K

Call TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE. There won't be a recall notice on it. I know Rellik just said they're not replacing frames anymore. However, they must have some plan because my frame is covered until June 30, 2018. My frame is in awesome condition right now. If I suddenly induce truck loads of salt to it and rot it out then Toyota will take care of it. Customer care will tell you what you need to know and take the truck to a dealer that knows how to conduct the proper inspection. Looking at the frame with a naked eye is not going to tell you if that frame's integrity has been violated. 7 years in NY state is no joke when it comes to salt. Unless it was garaged all winter?? Doesn't sound like it was though.
Anyways, do what you want to do but I wouldn't spend one penny without knowing that you're covered. Be smart!! Better yet, find a low mileage truck from the south or southwest. I'm off my soap box. Good luck.

 

Could you describe the coating they sprayed onto the frame? Is there a reason why toyota has stopped buying them back or changing the frames? Also do you know if toyota dealerships are still doing free frame inspections? Thanks for the info!

 

The shit they spray on the frame kinda looks like undercoating but is sticky and nasty. Never sets up to a hard coating

 

you should be able to take your truck to any dealer to have a free inspection done. i have no clue why they stopped doing the frames but i know for the 95-99 you had 15 years from date of first use to get a buy back if you had a hole in the frame. the bad thing about the 00-04 is they where doing from swaps but have stopped so you have to inspect the frame very well other wise you sol. not only the frame but brackets connected to the frame. i lost my 99 due to this.

the under coating is a tacky type coating that never really fully drys it stays tacky. here pic of where my hole way.

 

My thoughts too!

Are you specifically looking for a first gen? You could potentially get a much newer truck for not much more if any more money.

 

I would go with the older trucks all the way! Yes the new ones are nicer but the 00-04 have much nicer body lines, get just as good if not better mpg and there is way less to go wrong. These new trucks have so many computers, ecu ect. And other crap on them there close to immobile to do some repairs without a tech stream (Toyota dig computer/soft wear)

The new v6 motors have timing chain problems where there stretching a full tooth and causing correlation codes to come up and vvt gears and chains having to be replaced.

4cly motors are so sluggish it's pathetic and there burning oil so on a 0w20 motor that would usually get an oil change every 10k where having to do them every 5k.

The blower motors have recalls for noise

Seatbelt are being inspected and or replaced bc of problems with the bolts that hold these together are coming loose

We have had a hand full of tacomas coming in with drive train noise and vibration that Toyota has yet to be able to correct and say its "normal". There has already been one attempt to fix this problem but it's been discontinued bc it didn't work.

There is so many recalls and negative things going on with these new trucks it's
not worth the extra money. Trust me I work on them everyday.

Oh the newest recall is having to replace the seat heater element on a lot of the new cars and trucks bc if they catch on fire they burn to fast or some stupid crap. I've already done a hand full of these and all the other recalls I mentioned.

Don't get me wrong I have regular customers that I see on a regular basis that love these new trucks and have had 0 problems but there is just way more chances for crap to go wrong. Just my opinion and input on personal experience on the new trucks.

On the flip side, the power of the new v6 and the ride comfort of the new trucks are great!!

I'm about to pick up an 04 with 55,xxx miles on it for $11,000 just bc i know the older trucks are more reliable and less if a hassle

 

Rellic, are you sure about the 2000 model year trucks? My 2000 was bought back because my dealer said they only had replacement frames for 2001-2004. How can they stop doing frames if the trucks are warranted for 15 years (with under coating). They said my 03 is covered until 2017. They also replaced the frame on my 01.

 

Ur right 01-04 was the frames, my bad. How long ago did they tell you ur 03 was covered till 17? And I think there only covered if it was spayed.

 

If the truck was inspected and had the undercoating applied by toyota, then the truck has an extended frame warranty of 15 years. My 2004 was inspected last November and passed, but I still have 5 years of warranty. Dealership, and toyota both told me to bring the truck in each year to be inspected up until the warranty expries in May of 2019; if the frame fails, it will be replaced.

 

for that mileage pretty good deal,but never pay what someone is asking...i n ever understand when i talk with ppl and they said they paid what the seller was asking,like my wife and sister inlaw they are afraid they are going to hurt someones feelings,so not i do all the negotiating. Whatever you get please post pics...and welcome to the world.

 

spoke with toyota today and the truck frame was coated in 2012 and will be under warranty until 2018. also set and appointment up with my local dealership to have them give the truck a once over. So far things look good, Ill be sure to post some pics if I do end up buying the tacoma.

 

Awesome man!! Can't wait to see pics. I'm waiting on my check from Toyota to go pick my new baby guys holding it for me.