2nd Gen. Tacoma Rust

Hello, I'm new to this forum and would like some advice on how to handle a rust issue with my 09 Tacoma. The pictures I posted show what is described by the dealer as "Surface Rust" on the rear end of the vehicle as well as the frame. Is this normal for a vehicle with 20,000 miles on it ? If so, will this "Surface Rust" eventually spread and become worse ? Not sure what to do from here, but my concern is that it will spread and become a safety issue. Thanks

 

i would consider that normal if you live in the salt belt...


as for treating it... wire brush and por-15 or chassis saver is your friend

 

Doesn't look that bad really at all. I seen a lot worst.
I would get it rusted proofed though.

 

por15 and/or "chassis saver" is the undercoating the pros use. you can brush it on and it will give you a more complete coverage then the spray the pros use. plus, you buy a can of the stuff and you can maintain it from year to year... and its alot cheaper than having it done...

 

UNDERCOAT !!!
I'd be more concerned about that wet spot on the diff housing then I would the rust

 

I would wait a few years before I report it to Toyota. They will buy your truck back and then you can use that money to get a new Tacoma.

 

x2 just rattle can it.

 

Rust?.....that's nothing, come look at the vehicles driving around in New England where they use pure salt on the roads in the winter. I sprayed my old 03 Dakota with "rust converter" twice, it did fine. I would just treat it a few times while you own it to avoid any problems. My truck is a 2010 with 7K miles on it. I drive down dirt roads, I take it in the woods to get fire wood, at the end of the winter it will have rust similar to yours, it will still last me 10 years or more. I had a 1988 Toyota Pickup, the frame was completely covered in rust, I sold it 6 years ago, the truck is still driving down the road today. Your truck is fine just drive it.

 

This is why I had the dealer throw in the rustproofing and undercoating package. I live here in Western Pennsylvania and the salt is abundant on the roads in the winter.

 

It is NOT normal for most cars, normal for these Tacomas. I only purchase new cars and have never had one begin to rust as quick as my Tacoma. I have lived in the midwest, the east and west coasts, and now the south. When I was growing up in Iowa I had a 1986 Bronco that developed the typical rust through on the rear quarters and tailgate but that frame with 150,000 miles looked better than yours.

At this point paint and rubberized undercoatings will cover up the rust and let it breed undetected. Even Por-15 has its limitations. It makes it look good on the outside but you know what is happening underneath.

Waxoyl, used oil, or lintseed oil are your new best friends now. Notice that all of these products have "oil/oyl" in their descriptions.

The real dissapointment is the condition that one to two year old shock is in. Bilstein should be ashamed.

Have you taken any trips outside of Texas or have been down to the coast?

 

Tis true... welcome to PA. One of the few things I don't like about the state, but having grown up here know all the woes that the PA DOT calcium causes to motor vehicles. Not to mention the methods we need to employ when working on them as a result of said salt... try taking things apart without a torch and and you'll be fortunate not to snap fasteners off more times than not.

The por15 is a good choice regardless of where you drive, but, not to flame the undercoating crowd, using the all too common Rubberized undercoating spray on your vehicle is NOT a good idea in the northern salt belt region.

Sure, the material looks good going on, but check it often... small fractures in the material creates a "pocket" that will allow dirt, moisture and of course road salt to lay against your frame and undercarriage. This will reek havoc on steel parts in short order, as seen all too often working as a PA State Inspection mechanic in the late 80's. Something for those to think about that live / drive in the northland.

Oh and to the OP... that surface rust in your uploads is rather normal by most vehicles on the road today.

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jcayce - We must have been typing around the same time... why couldn't you have posted sooner, so I would not have had to. Good advice there bud.

 

I have not had the truck outside of Texas. The original owner did spend a few months in Kansas. The truck has not been to coast, yet.

 

all it takes is one snow storm in ny to do that to your truck... maybe there was an ice storm in kansas when he went?


either way, since you dont live in the salt belt, get yerself a can or two of satin rustoleum and touch it up, youll be fine

 

I'll trade you , my truck looked like that about a month into it's first winter .

 

Thats just surface rust man! A wire brush would clean that right off. I was told when i bought my truck that toyota would void your warranty if you had it undercoated. They are already rustproofed from the factory. If your worried about it just buy a wire brush and some por like somebody else said and keep it cleaned off. I personally have the same type of rust and i dont worry about it. It's simply cosmetic.

 

The rust on the shock doesn't look normal to me.. Did you happen to buy your truck Used?

 

Yes, I bought the truck used. Other than the rust, it's like brand new.