Frame is cracking and I need help BAD

Implied warranty. Google it. Utilize it

 

It looks like Mississippi still requires annual safety inspections.

Did the truck have a current inspection?

If so, where was it done?

I would make haste back to the dealership and give them the chance to make this right.

That truck is genuinely unsafe and if they won't do anything to help you, get a lawyer, or call the local consumer protection TV station or radio station and show them what you were sold.

That will most definitely get them motivated if their dealership is exposed as a hack.

 

It's kind of sad that we can't get a just the fact sticky about frame rust, but we need a 14 page sticky about how to change a center bearing. The frame rot problem is not going to get better and as the OP found out trucks from the rot belt find themselves in sunny locations.

 

Get out the pop corn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o_wHFehwOY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPLfH3AbsM0

 

Not sure about Mississippi but here in AZ we do not have annual safety inspections but ANY out of state vehicle must still have a safety inspection before being registered in AZ

 

Man, that sucks huge.

Were it me, I'd go back be as nice and firm as possible. Take the truck back, give my $ and we part ways. Talk to the owner.
If not, before you leave, mention the lawyer and see what happens. Likely wont move them.
Then I'd actually go to an attorney in a timely manner and get a letter drafted up. Hand deliver.
Have the same conversation. Try to get your $ back. Talk to the owner.

If that doesn't work, I'd push it hard in court but the fact is if you didnt get a pre sale inspection, not sure dealer will be forced to do shit.

I do hope I'm wrong brother but don't think the dealer has to budge. And personally I would not try to fix that POS. I would find a frame and swap it out, do it right. At least get a full inspection on this frame and determine if there are any other rotten parts here. May as well check it all.

Keep us posted man. Good Luck.

 

I'll admit, I didn't know about the Tacoma rust issues when buying my 04 a couple years ago. I found TW right after and quickly learned about it, and I remember going out to look under my truck with my heart racing hoping that I didn't just buy a multi-thousand dollar paper weight. Fortunately, my frame is perfect (thank you Arizona climate) but it could have just as easily happened to me. Living on the west coast, rust is never talked about so it's not on most people's minds when looking. I did look under the truck before I bought it, but mostly just to insure that it actually had a front drivetrain and e-locker because I had heard of people trying to pass off Prerunners as 4x4s and non-TRDs as TRDs.

After a couple years on TW, I won't ever look at another used vehicle again without first checking the frame lol. But I feel for those that end up in situations like this, that really sucks. I think this is going to have to go the route of a lawsuit to get them to do anything about it, hopefully a threatening call from a lawyer will prevent it from going the distance.

 

First one applies to Michigan. Different states have different laws. I believe Mississippi has protection

 

I have a similar issue with my 1996, but those repair panels say for 1998+. do you think it'll still work, or are the frames too different?

Also, are these designed to be welded overtop, or cut out and replaced?

 

I called the AG's office and they told me that I am basically screwed. The dealership basically laughed at me. I am definitely screwed.

 

The frame shape is the same the panels are different because the leaf spring perches are closer on 95-97, so you'd have to move those if you need that piece.

 

Time to lawyer up, contact local news and let them know that this is online now and will gather attention.

 

yep. that's the piece I'd need. doesn't look like they make safe-t-caps for the 95-97 though. :/

 

lawyer up...Safety issue

 

Most people who say lawyer up have never had the displeasure of paying for a lawyer. I had a simple contract that went bad a few years ago and it still cost me $2k to get it sorted.

 

Not in all cases. Im sure many people have dealt with lawyers at somepoint or another...they arent cheap thats for sure. I had a 30 minute phone call and it cost me around $100...had I known he was going to charge me for a phone call I wouldnt have bothered...but oh well, he was already working contesting a probate for me so I ended up paying him $$ anyhow.

 

I'm with ya on the lawyer thing, it won't help. Any lawyer that's worth a damn is also worth more than this truck, he'll just stall out and pay more than it costs to fix it. I'd threaten legal action to see if they budge but if that doesn't work a lawyer is just gonna make it more expensive.

 

The funny part about the $2k I spent. I cost the other side about $6k plus in lawyer and travel fees. In the end they cost zilch. It was the saddest way to waste $2k but I smiled so much from watching them go down in flames. The $2k was the bro deal too

 

In the suit he can get a judgment that the dealer pay his lawyer fees. Been there done that, not a big deal.

 

necessary evil