Frame/Component Rust Second Opinion

Hi All,

I'd like to get some other opinions on the condition of my 2013

$151 4-door QAA is Compatible with 2016-2020 Toyota Tacoma 6 Piece Stainless Body Molding Insert Trim Kit, 1.5" Width MI16172

4-door (62K miles, currently in North Carolina inland, rust was from when taco was owned in PA). There is a significant amount of rust on most of the bolts, and it was incredibly hard to replace my suspension. This got me thinking about possible issues down the road related to rust, and what I could do about it.

There are no holes in the frame, however the rust has me worried that I won't be able to keep this another 100K miles without some sort of treatment/removal. I'd really appreciate your guys' input on the pictures below.

 

It doesn’t look that bad. If you’re worried you could use a wire brush on the rust spots then hit it with POR or rattle can black. Afterwards fluid film everything, that’s about the best you could do.

 

Thanks for the reply. I’ll definitely look into that. It’s always nice to have a second opinion.

 

My dads 08 looked about that bad when he brought it down to NC from upstate VA/NY before then back in 2016. Got a new frame this year. When the metal layers in the frame start to warp/come apart you know its getting bad. All I did was tap on one of the crossmember welds and it the hammer just fell through the frame. Didnt look horrible either, guess its all on the inside.

Clean it up, and get it coated by your dealer so it can be eligible for replacement someday.

 

I looked at the ZKA recall info in this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/frame-coverage-for-2011.590939/

Looks like since I’m registered in NC, it’s not considered a ‘cold weather’ state and therefore is not eligible for the dealer coating.

What I understand is that regardless of what I do with the frame myself, I can get it replaced anytime before 2025, so long as a dealer fails my frame.

If this is true, I’ll just take good care of it how I can, and maybe once every year or so get a frame inspection by Toyota. What do you think?

 

This is where you honestly should call toyota corporate to ask what you need to do to ensure its eligibility for replacement. Dont ask the dealer, a lot of the times they are clueless.

My dads 08 was originally sold in a cold weather state, with it being a 2008, it did not need to be coated in order for it to be eligible for replacement. It got a 12 year from date of first use warranty on the frame.

My 04 on the other hand (former VA truck) did need to be coated to be eligible for replacement. No coating=No frame. It got a 15 year frame warranty, never got replaced though.

As far as I know, any dealer can apply the CRC, as long as the truck was once registered in a cold weather state. But again, call corporate and get the answer straight from them, not some internet shmo who claims to know everything like myself.

 

Blue -

Will do, I’ll give them a call sometime this week. We will see....

I really appreciate all the insight