2002 toyota tacoma frame rust and broken

Hi all, just would like some input. about 2 years ago i bought a 2002 toyota tacoma ext cab 4x4 for use in my business. never owned a toyota before. truck is in excellent condition only 117 miles. everything works great on it.

i took it in to my local shop for alignment. During the procedure they discovered that the frame had cracked horizontally under the passenger side. When i purchased the truck i noticed the frame was rusty but not that bad for the age of the truck.

i discovered the recall and have talked to local dealership and toyota customer care who both informed me that the recall expired in 2011 and they are offering no help on the issue.

I am at a loss on what to do to repair the truck. can anyone give me some ideas on what my options are?

thanks, D

 

Is there a frame shop near by? They could probably repair that I'd guess.

 

Was it ever sprayed by toyota around 2011?

 

There is no record of the frame being treated.

 

Then you may be SOL, depending on the size it is a possibility of ot being repaired, or if youre into projects find a frame and do a swap, if you pay someone the price for that will near 13k

 

...You're gonna have to just replace it. Depends on how much you love the truck and are willing to put in it. Maybe if you could find a donor truck to get a frame from, but still, that's a lot of work. I'm sorry about your frame, man!

 

Check Toyota owners website, enter your vin and look through records. If the frame wasn't treated, you're outta luck. If it was, your truck should be covered until 2017. (15 yrs from manufacture date.) Look up and call dealerships it was serviced at to check on the frame coating, it's worth the time if it gets you a new frame. Good luck!

 

This is correct. Toyota extended the frame recall to 15 years

 

Not a 100% on this but from what I have heard guys are still getting covered to have frames replaced. I heard it was 15 years from the manufacture of the vehicle. So if this is correct you still fall with the 15 year limit. Do some research though cuase like I said I could be wrong. But I have seen post on this issue and that's the info I gathered from it. Also it depends on where the truck has spent it's "life" some states are not covered in this policy and some are. For instance if a truck in arizona has issues it's not covered compared to a truck in say new york.

 

^^^ also true

 

I spoke with Toyota recently about this and found the same as what was said above. The 15yr warranty only applies if your truck was sprayed around 2009-2011, mine is in the same boat as yours.

However, all this 15yr covereage and spray talk is in regards to rust. If the area that has cracked is not due to rusting, you may have a separate issue or defect. Bottom line is I would contact Toyota, take good photos and see what they have to say before doing anything else.

 

Coverage starts from date of purchase off the lot, not mfg date.

 

Take the truck to the dealer.

 

I had my 02 frame replaced in the fall even though it was never coated. The coating was only required for certain locations. Kansas and Missouri not being one of them.

 

My frame was never coated.

 

If you end up with a donor truck to do a frame replace, make sure it's one from a state that doesn't salt the roads (like CA).

Good luck with the recall, hopefully you can get it replaced.

 

Had to have been sprayed before 2011 to be eligible for the 15 year warranty

 

@Pescado informed this info a few posts up aswell. Also @hondamxracer mentioned it go's by where the truck was located and not all trucks need to have the re-spray to be covered as his and other states are exempt. Seems to be some variables.

 

I have seen some posts from guys that really laid into Toyota over the issue and seemed to get something out of it, I dunno man this is why I'm happy I live in the southwest, lol. My frame still looks brand new.

 

Haha, you and me both! My frame still looks awsome (knock on wood). I do have a little surface rust on my rear diff but that's about it. If I did have the frame issue though and lived in the salt belt, I would definitely be giving Toyota hell till they took care of it. Seems some have it easy and the replacement go's smooth and some have to fight for it.