2014 Toyota Tacoma is this too much rust?

Hi, I’m looking to buy my first Tacoma and this one is for sale. 2014 DC TRD sport with 59k miles. Has never been undercoated, but owner said she barely drove it. Just wanted to see if this amount of rust is ok.

 

I also have a '14. Looks like that truck has a little more rust than mine, but I don't see anything concerning. Looks like it's all surface rust, not the crunchy cancer kind. Were there any soft spots in the frame?

Where is this?

 

Hey thanks for replying. Its located in St. Louis Mo. I didn’t personally inspect the frame yet but these are the ones the owner sent to me. Owner mentioned that she’s had it checked out before and mentioned that it was also just surface rust. She’s asking 29k for it which is why I’m wanting to be a little more careful prior to buying. 1 owner DCSB trd sport with 59k miles. Do you think that’s too much? Has ready lift and brand new tires.

 

Value is subjective and differs around the country, so I can’t weight in on that.
Photo 5/7 is probably the most useful, and it shows how the rust is predominantly on the welded areas but not along the main frame rails nor body.

It likely went for close to that $29k when new (my DCSB TRD:OR was $31k), so being skeptical is reasonable.

But Missouri, low miles, and still looks good underneath? Seems like a solid truck.

 

Hard to tell, but maybe some potential rotting going on at the frame crossmember sandwich joints (circled in red)?

Certainly not the worst I've seen, but also not great. Initial diagnosis I'd probably give it a stage 1-2 on the rust cancer scale. Definitely needs some TLC. No way in hell I'd pay $29k for that, but that's just me.

One final & general comment here. Seems the majority of photos provided in these frame rust / restoration / undercoating threads always show the "low hanging fruit" parts of the frame (i.e. main frame spars, exterior sides, etc.) that can easily be viewed, photographed, restored, painted, undercoated, etc. The reality is most of the real problem child spots that need to be considered & addressed are the more difficult access & viewing areas in tight closed/confined spaces, joints, cavities, frame boxed sections, etc. Until then I generally reserve any type of final determination or just don't bother commenting whatsoever.

 

$29k? Nah….. offer $20k

 

Offer $20k... But if you really want it and everything is good on it, then pay the full price. Prices have been all over the place in the last few years...

Then get 4-5 cans of fluid flim if you buy it.

The pictures don't look so bad. But crawl under there with a small ballpeen hammer when you see it in person.

 

Someone just sold a 2015 TRD Pro here for less than that, I believe still under 100k miles. $29k seems kinda high.

edit: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2015-trd-pro.788409/

 

like others have said, 29 is high, and no way are you getting it for 20...24 and haggle from there. As far as the rust, looks like a typical midwestern truck that no one took the time to do anything for rust prevention but didnt really drive it in the winters alot. First thing, if you do buy it, is address that rust or it WILL get worse, especially if youre driving year round down there! Me personally, I would buy that truck if its what you want and feel OK with that small amount of corrosion. AND its a 14, so you should contact Toyota to see if they will do the rust prevention on it under the litigation solution they offered up! I think Illinois/Missouri should qualify! 10 years from being put into service, so you still have time to get it done!

 

The frame is fine. The price seems a little steep.
When and if you buy it, just coat the frame well. Even if you can immediately find Fluid Film or something like it, get some Dollar General imitation WD-40 and spray the sandwiched areas of the frame. It'll wick in and keep it from rusting further.
Many will say you need FF or something of the sort but I used to use WD-40 on my '98 T-100 and it was holding up pretty well.
In this case, anything (oily) is better than nothing.

 

I would pay 22 k for it…29 is too much I bought mine for 28k out the door for 33 k miles and it was in mint condition cpo

 

29k is nuts. Truck is nearly 10 years old.

 

This was the underside of my 2015 DCLB TRD Sport that I sold back in May of 2020 for $27,900 with 40k miles. I stored it in the winter so it never saw salt.


Hers is clean for a rust-belt vehicle, but id personally never pay almost $30k for an 8 year old Taco. If thats what tickles your pickle though dont let people on the internet shame you into doing otherwise.

 

29k is way too much money.

That looks like surface rust and about what my 2013 4Runner looked like after several Colorado winters.

 

Thats exactly what my 2006 frame looked like in 2018. I took it in for some fluid refills and the tech tapped a hole in the frame underneath the drivers side cat. Got my new frame courtesy of a tech that took the time to check.(he did a great job on my replacement too) As everyone here has stated, that rust doesnt look bad at all as long as you make the effort to stop it in its tracks. Its the hidden rust elsewhere on that frame thats worrisome. Buyer beware....

 

^This is a good example of what I was talking about here...

Not trying to scare you away from the truck OP, but just beware & understand the "it's just mild rust" comments are simply based on the limited photos & areas you provided. A well known problem area for rust on these frames are the boxed sections adjacent to the cats, none of which are shown in your photos. If it were me I'd want to see the inboard sides of those areas, including inside them (via borescope or whatever method).

 

Rusty taco yeah it seems that it’s just surface rust but just double check it’s not any major cake rust I have rust on mines too on the weld joints but it’s small cracks rust and since I’m be modifying my truck soon I’m going to touch up those surface rust cracks and as well as I’m going pressure wash the chassis and soak rag it with wd40 the whole frame and all metal parts so it protects it from the elements well at least help it protect it

 

That frame looks very good- you'll probably not find one nicer on a 2014 unless it comes from a totally salt free or desert area. I'm in TN and we use very little salt, and my frame is way worse appearing, but it's still solid.

 

Yeah nothing too concerning frame wise. But the price is concerning haha

 

Look closely at the underside of the truck. Like the owner who's paying for repairs.
Like it says in the Bible; "Rust never sleeps". A little rust now means more later.
Wheel and deal.