'05 frame is toast, now I'm weighing my options

Had my truck in the shop this morning to track down a minor fuse issue (turned out to be trailer harness screwup), and they gave me the sober news that they found holes in my frame. Sorry for the pic quality, the mech took the shots and they clearly didn't focus very well:






The leafsprings were actually replaced by the dealership in 16-17, somewhere in there and they took the time to spray that useless shit all over my frame about the same time. I've been told that my chance of frame replacement expired in Jan of '19.

It still runs great and looks great. I love this truck and I feel like I'm getting ready to put it to sleep or something. This truck only has 120K miles on it for fucks sake!! I'm actually searching for replacement frames on my own because I want to save it, but trying to pin down parts numbers much less parts to do it with is incredibly frustrating. Anyone have a parts number for a frame that will fit an '05 PreRunner access cab, 2WD manual trans?

While I want to say that money is no object, since a newer Tacoma will certainly cost me much more than getting a replacement frame on this one, I'm old enough now to be a realist and recognize that things just don't last like they used to. I'm incredibly disappointed that this truck barely made it 16 years, WTF.

Lucky me though, I got this amazing letter from my local dealership last week telling me how VALUABLE my truck is! Too bad the offer expired on 4/10. This has really been my week!

 

cannot qualify for the frame recall?

 

Nope, I was told by the dealership that that option expired in Jan of '19.

 

Sell it for parts and move on.

 

Seems weird that the dealership replaced your leaf springs but didn't want to replace the frame. That much additional rust couldn't have happened in just 4 years right? Thats a gaping hole in his frame... (more of a question to the TW community). Almost sounds like they covered up frame damage with the spray.

 

Yes, that's kind of my feelings on the matter as well. That crap was peeling from the frame in the first week.

 

OP, I don’t know how long you have owned the truck or even do your own maintenance but I would have caught this on a DIY oil change early in the ownership. Don't expect a dealership to tell you about the rust and offer a frame replacement at their expense during the leaf pack TSB. This scenario you are experiencing after the warranty has expired is what they could've hope for. Sorry you are experiencing this but definitely worth saving since motor and body have such low miles on it. Its not the cost of the frame thats expensive, it's the labor. If you are not planning on DIY, agree with others about selling it as is.

 

It’s done. Move on (but you could replace the frame yourself, I guess)

 

Is that first picture on the passenger side front by the cats? My 03 4Runner has holes like that too. I was looking at buying these to patch them up https://www.autorust.com/product-category/toyota/toyota-4-runner/

Not sure if they have the same for the 2nd gens yet but it may be worth a call to find out.

 

I'm seriously considering acquiring a replacement frame but I cannot find a frame part number for the truck anywhere, even on any dealership pages. I had hoped to find something here on the forums but am not having much luck there; anywhere I can find a parts list if I plug in a VIN or something?

I found those too but it doesn't look like there's anything out for 2nd gens, sadly.

 

I found this listed on the forums! https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ams-and-part-numbers-with-list-prices.347123/

Now to actually find a frame somewhere.

 

I forget exactly where but at least one or both of these had something about it.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...tional-cost-to-expect-from-the-dealer.546565/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/toyota-frame-rust-recall.508555/

Another possibility could be trying to find one with a bum engine or needing body panels and swap from your existing vehicle. Not ideal per se but might be more cost effective if you can find one that's got a solid frame.

 

This sounds like an easier option. You might find someone who has a blown head gasket & wants out. Then if you’re ambitious enough you could part out the old one & make a couple bucks.

 

Auto rust/safetcap are making patch sections for 2nd gens but you have to call to order at the moment based on what was discussed in other threads. We’ve seen a noticeable uptick in people now discovering their rust issues after replacement window expiration.

Yes that rust can happen in 4 yrs, especially if there was rust there when they sprayed the frame initially. And especially if you live in Illinois with salted roads during winter. The initial crap Toyota slathered on the frames was a pile of garbage and likely accelerated people’s issues. Go figure they aren’t using it anymore on the current iteration of frame spray.

 

Not sure if you have an access cab or a crew cab, but here's a brand new access cab frame at a dealership! They must have ordered the wrong one or something.

https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/pts/d/canton-tacoma-frame/7291948643.html

 

Doing frame swap is not as simple as it sounds. Frames are available, and don’t cost a ton. You have to consider all the peripheral parts as well.
Way cost and time options, your time is valuable. Make a decision
Other then that, I like butter on toast

 

Here's what's happened since yesterday. I contacted the dealership to find out what frame assy number I should be looking for that matches my truck and was given one by their parts guy (51001-14880), but he couldn't say whether it would be available for install in anything other than a recall/warranty work job, so he transferred me to his manager. His manager said that wasn't really the case and that if I could pay for it then they'd be okay with that and that I'd get a call back if they could round one up.

Well, no one can round one up. I drove out there only to be told that the frame is now obsolete. They said the swap out would cost w/parts and labor somewhere in the range of $13K, which would have actually been reasonable even. The whole convo came off like they were trying to dissuade me from going forward with it so when I got home I called the corporate number and they also cannot come up with anything in stock for that number. Both the dealer and corp recommended that my best bet is to find one in salvage.

I think the likelihood if my actually locating a salvage of my model (V6, access cab/manual 6-spd) and year range in the balmy southern states that wasn't involved in a wreck is pretty remote. So that's the end of that and I'm heartbroken.

Thanks for the rec's and replies you guys, it was nice knowing you.

 

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/ptd/d/bowie-genuine-toyota-tacoma-access-cab/7305855880.html

 

Plan B..hunt for a good chassis needing your driveline.

 

Those dealer letter are generic and designed to get you into the door to look at a new vehicle. I would see what they would offer you though you may make out on the deal with your frame being shit