2004 Tacoma Frame Rust….most commmon areas???

Hello to all and thank you for having me in the group! I am currently looking to purchase a 2004 Tacoma extended cab(in Michigan!)and the owner was kind enough to make me aware of the rust starting and it’s typical places underneath. From a quick glance I saw some rot around some holes underneath but nothing major. What areas should I definitely be looking at for structural reasons or reasons that might put this Tacoma Out of commission? Any help is appreciated I just wanna make sure I’m looking in the right spots before I continue with this purchase! Thanks to all in advance and have a wonderful new year!

 

Leaf spring mounts, cross member joints body mounts.

Honestly any holes or soft points where a hammer can destroy, walk away.

Surface rust is normal.

 

Your going to need to getup close and in Person .

If you can fabricate and weld it comes down to the price and how much time and money you want to spend.

Any area of the frame can be rusted out.

One place is in the area of the spring hangers the drain holes get plugged and the slop causes it to rust from the inside out.

The Cab mounts are another place .

Good luck.

Comes down to if the frame was treated or just ignored.

 

I appreciate all the input, I will certainly check all mounting areas for the suspension. The body mounts and side rails looked great when I peeked under, it’s the nooks and crannies I need to investigate alittle closer.

 

Welcome to TW. Check where the leaf spring are, near the gas tank area, body mounts etc

 

Thanks again! So it primarily sounds like at the rear of the frame, around spring mounts, etc. How about the wheel arch areas about the rear axle??

 

That whole rear section where it is sloped or just flattening is a bad spot. Same for the front.

 

Also would check around the front control arm area

 

Any place thats boxed.

Ball peen, probe, camera inside the closed areas.

Rust on these is no joke, and 'peeking under' isn't adequate.

 

Try to get a look behind the fender flares or wheel well liners in the rear, body rot often starts there.

If rear bumper is stock, check the inside.