2nd Gen Frame crack/rust. . . . after Toyota told me it was fine. What next?

Had Toyota look at my frame before the window closed on the frame rust issue. . . They told me I was good to go (no paperwork regarding the "inspection", nothing. . . in fact, the first thing they told me is that I needed a new boot, I had to ask about the rust - which was the purpose of why they had my truck in the first place). Just odd.

Fast forward to today (6 months after toyota's inspection), and I found this - a good 3-4in crack in my frame. I do not believe, at all, that this was even looked at, at all, when I dropped it off). What are my options? I have a call scheduled with my local dealership, but I have little to no faith that they are going to be willing to fix this, without a massive fight.

What you you do? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

You'll lose any fight you attempt IMHO

Because you have no documentation of your claim of inspection and passing said inspection. If you had paperwork in hand, there might have been hope.

 

You should start shopping for another truck. If the window is closed, Toyota will do absolutely nothing.

I went through this with my truck - your only option is either to convince the dealer to replace the frame on their dime (not gonna happen), or take the dealer to court (years of screwing around and many many thousands of dollars).

If you want to keep the truck, find a frame shop and get a quote to grind out and weld the crack, then wire wheel, zinc etch, and POR-15 your frame. Doable in the driveway in a couple hard days of shitty work and a couple hundred bucks in materials.

 

An ok plan assuming there isn't worse rust hiding elsewhere. And I'd bet there is.

 

Without seeing the rest of the frame I would say get it cleaned up, fixed and fluid film or cosmoline the rest. Sell it now while it’s still somewhat solid unless you plan on constant up keep under there.
I fixed my 2001 with safe-t-caps and I got another eight years out of it. The truck lasted 22 years and it was used for plowing every winter.
I shouldn’t complain but I do.

 

+1. it would be 'winning-megamillions-lottery-ticket-rare' to have a truck with a great frame in everywhere except 1 spot.