2004 TRD Xcab

I found this forum while researching the frame rust issue. I live in Maine and found out two days ago that my truck would not pass our state inspection because of the condition of the frame. I was alarmed because I had taken it in in 2010 for the frame inspection and was told there was no issue and it had been 'undercoated.' I was concerned because I don't find myself in the financial position to replace it right now. A former business acquaintance of mine owns a TMC dealership 125 miles from me so I contacted him and he got his service manager to look into my situation. Good news is that TMC will replace my frame, not so good news is that the 'frame rust' thread in this forum indicates a long wait process to accomplish it.

 

What's the problem? As soon as the frame arrives, they will put you in a loaner. I'm guessing the frame was not bad enough for them to make you take it off the road. I've heard that there is an 8 month waiting list for frames. Kind of unreasonable for the dealer to put you in a loaner for 8 months.

 

The frame is bad enough that I was advised not to tow anything or put any significant load in the bed. They're going to put me in a rental car late next week, which is the first that they could acquire a long-term rental. I believe that I'm getting somewhat of a 'kid glove' treatment because I know the owner of the dealership. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out...

 

Sounds good. Start thinking about things that can I be taken care of when the truck actually goes in. Example, brakes, shocks. You are getting a lot of work done on the truck for free, might as well give the dealer some paying work while it is there.

 

Yes! Since reading through the 33-page 'frame rust' thread last night, I am developing that very list of what parts to request for replacement. Do you think getting a new clutch put in might be advisable? I'm still on the original and I have 153K on the odometer. I don't know how much less labor would be involved versus having it done outside of the frame replacement. Have you heard of anyone else doing a clutch replacement at the same time?

 

Tough call on the clutch. If I lived in town and did a lot of shifting years primarily, I would probably change it. If the truck spent a lot of time on the xway, I might skip the clutch. Deciding factor would be how much the dealer wanted to do the job with truck already sitting there. I do know a clutch job would be much easier while the cab was out of the way.