2002 broke frame..need help!

Damn dont sound promising then

 

What ever happened with this OP?

 

Mine was replaced and I just got it back last month. I dealt with two dealers as the first one wasn't willing to put on new, aftermarket parts during the rebuild. The dealer who did the job was awesome and put a ton of stuff on for me.

Corporate was quick to respond, truck had to be sold new in one of 20 'cold weather states' and had to have gone in for the inspection. Mine had been inspected awhile back but didn't apparently need the undercoating because it never got it. They still replaced the frame in the end. I contacted corporate before I ever went to a dealer once I noticed the frame had a bad spot.

 

Does anyone have corporate email/phone number? Thanks

 

Well dealer called back today and said Corp won't cover it cause never was brought back after inspection in 09 for coating I am calling up in am to throw a fit

 

Good luck !

 

Pathetic. You shouldn't have to go through even an ounce of this. No idea why so many think it's ok to treat the frame on their own time and dime... No right minded person would or will ever even come close to thinking that it is ok to *have* to do that. No car, truck, or otherwise is integrally compromised right off the block so lemming-ly. Toyota has us by the balls. Guilty myself, your honor.

 

Well I keep being told I am not in my right mind so what is one more person telling me!!!

 

Here's my first post ever! Long story bear with me.

I bought an 02' tacoma extra. cab 4×4 about 3 months ago. It was in rough shape and a lot of work has been done to it. I replaced the whole front braking system (calipher, rotors, pads ), broken window, tailgate, center carrier bearing, u joints, alignment, and a ton of body work.

Then I noticed the frame by the drivers side rear leaf springs was heavily rusted on both sides. I took it to a local wheel shop and they removed the old and welded on some plates to support the frame(dropped $500) driver and passenger sides.

Fast forward a couple of months I did some research and found out about the spare tire mount recall. Made an appointment with the dealer dropped off the vehicle. They called me within an hour and told me they can't do the spare mount recall now and it will be done when they replace the frame.

The conversation went like this
Dealer: The frame has rust holes in it.
Me: I know im aware
Dealer: We will replace the frame
Me: What? How much is that going to cost??
Dealer: He said for you nothing (with a laugh) It's under the 15 yr extended warranty. It will take two to three months to get everything in and then will give you a loaner and a call.

Dealer calls back within a half hour, before I pickup I'm thinking theyre calling back to say they made a mistake.

Dealer: We noticed there's been some framework done to it.
Me: Yeah
Dealer: They did a good job. It ok it's still covered
End of conversation (strange he called back just to say that to me)

To my knowledge from snooping around under the truck there is no evidence of an undercoat spraying done previously.

So I got damn lucky and supposedly a new frame is on its way!?? The service receipt says the owner requested the frame be checked and it failed. However, I didn't request it, I just dropped it off for the spare mount recall.

So now I have two burning questions.

1. How much money does this local Toyota dealership get from corporate to do a frame replacement? If it's a butt load, then I can see why they want to replace the frame.

2. When they disassemble the whole truck and if they find parts that aren't up to par will they replace the part at cost and not charge a service/labor fee (struts and rear shocks, rear brakes need replaced) ?

Thanks

 

was told by dealer they replace gas line, break line, rear leafs,lca. told me he would install shocks if i supply them. buddy got his done few years back wo was over 14,000.00 my frame is in waiting on call

 

Do a search on frame rust here, there is literally hundreds of threads full of info on the subject. The replacements are all unique as to whats replaced or not. Alot of times you can supply new aftermarket goodies and they will install free of charge if its something thats been disassembled for the replacement. But yeah do a lil searching on here, tons of info. Do a google search and end the search with "tacoma world" the search function on here is kinda finicky but doing the google search works much better!

 

Damn, sounds like you hit the lottery with your dealership. Every single thread I've read on here regarding the frame replacement program has sounded like it's been a tremendous headache for every owner trying to get there's dealt with, and you got your's without even asking haha. Congrats man

 

The techs are paid 40 hours to swap frames. If you got techs that have done several and know what they are doing, they can do a complete swap in 2.5 days or less. Its big money in their pocket. Toyota pays very well for this job and the techs like doing them.

Think about it. 90% of the work done to the trucks at the dealer ship is done while you wait. The tech has 5-10 different jobs and cars to work on. He has to diagnose and repair and move on. The clock it always ticking to get the car you are working on out the door.

Now you have a frame swap that you've done several times and are given a full week to do it. No distractions, no ornery customers or service writers breathing down your neck. You know exactly what needs to be done and can do it at the pace you want...And you get a HUGE bonus if you finish it under the time allotted. Not too hard to figure out why the techs like doing these jobs.

I just had mine inspected. All my ducks are in a row. My frame passed and the techs were visibly disappointed.

 

What is lca?

Was about to do an oil change, transmission fluid drain and fill, and a coolant flush but now thinking of waiting. I'm assuming when they do the engine swap they have to remove/disconnect all these fluid lines and drain then refill all of these. Correct?

 

I would wait, but no there is no guarantee these fluids will be swapped. When they did mine they don't even separate the transmission/transfercase/engine, it all comes out in one piece. They did however swap fluid in my front diff since they installed new cv's for me.

LCA is your lower control arm. Usually the bushings in them are seized so instead of trying to fuck with it they just cut the old ones off and give you new ones. If you are planning on doing any suspension upgrades now would be the time to do it since you get free labor. Same if you want to throw in extended brake lines. They also likely flush the coolant as well but I would have them confirm that one. Might just be a drain and fill. It's insane how fast they can swap these frames. My frame got in the one morning and by 5 o clock they were pretty much wrapping it up. Only kept it another day for test driving/etc. You definitely hit the lottery with that dealer though, some are a PITA about first gens.

 

Great info thanks!

If not covered with the frame replacement. I'm will purchase and ask them to install new front struts, ball joints, inner and outer tie rods, and rear shocks and possibly even a new exhaust (unless that's one piece with the converter and $$$$).

It almost seems to good to be true.

 

If you are going new suspension, any interest in lifting it?

 

.

 

No just my work and fishing truck.

 

Ill have to call corporate agian ever one seems to have luck be me ...story of my life ...