Confused about frame rust-proofing...

So I did a search and couldn't find an exact answer to my question.

I've got an '04 Taco. The frame is in pretty good shape as the truck originally came from TX, shipped to WV, now in OH.

I want to get it coated with something before winter sets in. I was told that until 2019 I can take it into the dealership and have it inspected and sprayed. I thought, in order for that to be correct, it would have had to have been inspected prior to Dec. 2012. Is that right? (Or course, I have no way of knowing if the previous owner ever had it inspected).

My gut tells me that I wouldn't be eligible in the first place because it was originally purchased in TX, but I don't know if it matters more where the truck was purchased or where it was registered.

Anyone got a link to the info I'm trying to find?

I'm going to get it sprayed in any case, it's just a matter of where and who's paying.

 

Well, I'm a little less confused about the undercoating. I called Toyota and the truck actually was eligible for a free spray from Toyota but the previous owner never took it in. I said to the guy on the phone "Well that was stupid" and he responded "Yeah, sure was."

So, I'm going to have the local truck accessory place spray the frame next week. The price was reasonable (especially seeing as how I don't want to do it myself in the cold and rain, crawling around out in my driveway). Seems like cheap insurance to me.

 

Its not so much what is sprayed on your frame, but what is sprayed inside your frame. These rust from the inside out. Check out internal wax coatings such as 3M rust fighter. It good stuff. Get it done before its too late.

 

I have been battleing with this the past few weeks with mine. I am in the salt capital of the country though.... N.y. And that is where the truck has been it whole life. I am in a similar boat as you my truck was never coated and was elagable as well and the previous owner never did anything. So I took the bed off and have been sanding and wire wheeling the hell out of anything I can reach. Unfortunately I found a few bad spots. One I had to weld a plate over the others are not in that structural of an area so I will just clean and paint. Also spray inside the frame with an oil of some sort that's next for me. I love the truck I just hope I can get it to last in this wonderful state

 

Guys at my work laugh at me, and you might also, but every winter I put my taco and my 4runner on the lift and wipe down the frame by hand with a oil saturated rag. I wipe down the rear diff, rocker panels and skid plates too. Then i take our pnuematic oil dispensing gun and shoot oil into all the holes in the frame from front to back. I usually do this 3 or 4 times a season. So far no rust issues. My undercarriages don't even have that "orange" rust look like alot of the 4x4's i see that come into the shop. No undercoating on my trucks but my bosses 97 taco was undercoated at the dealership a couple years ago and it's already flaking off.

 

The wax type coatings are useless, rust forms underneath and more importantly from the inside. Oil is the way to go inside and out and do it every year maybe twice a year. Toyota really missed the boat on the frames for these trucks and its not true that all the brands rust, my old chevys never had frame rust issues, the bodies rusted away but never the frames.

 

68dave what does the oil dispensing gun look like I might have to pick one up. I want my truck ready before the snow flys here in ny