05+ Official Perforated/Rusted Through Frames

The 3-leafs were breaking so often they began to use the 4pack. I may see mine in the shop today to confirm. The leveling washer ("top-plate lean spacer") corrects the fact that some OEM parts are side-specific, going aftermarket will leave the drivers side high (compensates for most common cargo=driver). Some people find the lean very noticeable so I took their advice.

 

Does anyone know what the criteria is for the size of hole in order for it to be considered as unsafe and can't leave the dealer? My original hole is about 40mm at its widest and the dealer put a 10-15mm ball-hammer hole on the underside of the original hole area, but said it was drivable as long as I didn't put too much weight on it. I said I was going planning to haul some firewood and he said that he probably wouldn't do it if it was his. Suggestions? Thanks.

 

Nope...my hole is 8" long by 2-2.5" high. Was just told it was safe to drive. Have read others, with smaller holes are getting loaners so idk

 

State: CT
Year of production: 2004 (10/04)
Exact model of truck: 2005 Tacoma Access Cab 4x4 V6 TRD Off-Road
Status of Toyota inspection: Inspected 10/02/2014 - failed; new frame ordered (4-5 weeks wait time)
Picture of frame perforation:

 

So they ordered your frame the and day as inspection? My dealer sent pictures in to corporate. My frame failed as well. Still waiting to hear back

 

I spoke to my dealer at the beginning of the week- go in today for the inspection- and was told that anything over 10mm in size gets a new frame and anything under that gets the CRC

 

They did indeed. They informed me of the inspection result, filled out a bunch of paperwork, explained what the next steps were, and told me they would call me when the parts arrived.

They also told me they would install new shocks and front axles for the price of parts - no labor - and they would do the clutch for parts and 2 hours labor. They also said they would give me a list of any potential problems and ask what I want to do before the truck goes back together. So far, everything has gone smooth. I've used this dealership for maintenance for the past 7 years and they have never let me down. So far, so good.

 

Thanks! Seriously - this forum is the best!

The dealer is Branch Toyota in Watertown, CT.

The following is a bit long, but I like to recognize good service when I find it.

In '08, Branch put a Marlin Crawler tranny and clutch into my 2000 Tacoma for $400 (labor - I supplied the parts) after I realized I had bitten off a bit more than I could handle at the time. They also processed the buyback of my 2000 when it failed in 2011.

Ken Esposito (not sure of his title?) is the friendliest, most observant, and customer-focused person I've ever met in a service department. I had a strange clicking noise from my front end. The mechanic who looked at it came back and said he didn't hear anything. I protested (mildly) and the service writer called Ken. Ken listened to me, drove the truck, heard the noise, and made the mechanic put the truck on the lift. Then, he stood there with me while the mechanic removed parts and tested for the noise until we discovered it was the front axles (I was pretty sure of that going in, but I wanted to be certain. I didn't know much about 2gen Tacomas at the time.). Ken then told the mechanic that when a customer says there's a noise, there's a noise and it is his job to find it and advise on it. I was impressed. And then there is service writer Michelle - just awesome every time I need info. No BS - just answers.

 

To be clear - they installed a Marlin-rebuilt, stock R-150F tranny along with a Marlin 1200lb clutch setup for me - plain vanilla stuff. What I really appreciated was the fact that I showed up with a coupla boxes of parts and they didn't balk a bit. $400 for labor seemed way more than reasonable to me, given it takes about 6 hours of book time to R&R a tranny and clutch. I had called 3 other Toyota shops and the lowest quote from them was $800.

 

my frame will be here between the 16th and the 20th.

 

Someone in my city is having their 2008 frame replaced. They have 100K more miles than I do on the truck though.

 

Is Toyota paying the bill for the frame swap for an 08??

 

I believe so. They gave him a Scion tC as a rental. Think he has a 12 week wait. I don't have anymore details than that.

 

Any clue to the City?

 

Woonsocket, RI

 

That's interesting. This was just a commuter vehicle?? OR commercial?? We are in the snow salt area up here. The worst I've ever seen are pickups used as slat /sand trucks. Some of them look so bad I'm surprised the don't fold in half.

 

I believe it's just his personal vehicle.

 

There are some really decent dealers out there to be sure. Living in Hawaii, we are not part of the LSC-E0D. That of course doesn't mean we have rusty Toyota's here, we have a lot. Mine was one, and it was truly bad. While Toyota Corporate sucks, IMHO, I have a great dealer, as it turns out.
Srevco is the distributer of Toyota for most of Hawaii. I went in to the local dealer (Big Island Toyota) got my inspection (because I told them to) asked the pivotal question "is it safe to drive", was told, "no it is not" and let the game begin.
Four months later, I am driving my truck again, which was put back together with all the components listed in the E0D, rear springs, brake lines, lower control arms, frame. Totaled out to over 15k. Covered by the dealer, Servco, not Toyota.
Big Island Toyota did a good job on the rebuild, truck drives great, better than before.
If you don't live in a cold weather state, don't loose hope, get all the info you can and make a case, there may be some love for you.

 

Yes, 2005-2008 on this round..

 

Picked up my truck today. The truck drives way nicer than before I added a small lift (struts & springs, rear blocks), a new hitch assy, a couple of d-rings to the bed.
The only costs I incurred were for maintenance unrelated to the frame ($2100 ugh).
Here are the parts for the frame replacement listed on my service sheet:
Frame Sub-assy
jpn source parts kits, usa source parts kits
brake tube kits 1& 4
rings, drive shaft
tube, rr brake 3-6
arm sub-assy
spring assy
bumper rr spring
carrier assy, spare
wire, frame & skid control
bolts & washers, nuts & clamps, brake fluid
The sheet also included a write up of the actual work done in replacing the frame.