Frame Replacement - Lessons Learned?

Great. Thanks for the info!

 

Had mine done beginning of 2018 and was given an all clear on additional parts - my dealer just wanted to complete the frame without caring for my truck. Here is my list of items I should have had done and am in the process of updating:

1.) Transmission Lines - made of same stuff as brake lines that are replaced with frame
2.) Power Steering Lines - same as above
3.) Lower Oil Pan
4.) Exhaust Headers
5.) All Shocks and Springs - new leafs included in frame replacement
6.) Upper Control Arms - lower arms included in replacement
7.) Transmission Flush
8.) Front, Rear Diff and Transfer fluid changes
9.) Motor Mounts - if over 150k
10.) Tie Rods and Stabilizer Links with alignment
11.) Steering Intermediate Shaft

I took some photos of the new frame in the crate and the old frame once removed. I will try to find these and update this post, but OMG the old frame was really rotted. The frame could have been built better, but I doubt Ford would replace a frame with 160k miles. Still love my truck!

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll look into a few of those

 

Charles Barker Toyota in Virginia Beach will be finishing up with the truck early next week. The dealership told me this is the worst truck they've ever seen. They've spent over $17,000 so far in the replacement of the frame and additional parts.

 

Of the pictures attached above I'd like to draw attention to several specifically as the dealership is recommending I replace the following parts:

Front brake calipers, pads, rotors, and brake lines- $1,118.24
Front crank pulley and crank seal- $396.19
AC Compressor and clutch- $1,092.13
Water pump- $252.60
Front timing cover reseal- $1,005.94
Rear main seal- $437.71
Total- $4,560.98 (all labor costs and tax included)

The first photo is a picture of the front timing cover. It's obviously leaking. I was looking to see if someone would provide an opinion on how bad they think that is? The dealership wants to charge $1,006 to reseal it, but I'm more inclined to let it ride and replace the engine when the time comes down the road (truck has 135k miles on it). The second photo is of the rear main seal and really I have the same question as above. Is it worth replacing for $437?





The calipers are obviously fucked. Based on the other people's experience, should they be covered under the warranty?

 

I went ahead and had the dealership replace some parts, but I couldn't stomach the OEM dealership prices. Instead I went with aftermarket parts I picked up at AutoZone:

4Seasons A/C Compressor and Clutch - 639392
Duralast Waterpump - DWP-1981
Dorman Harmonic Balancer (Crankshaft pulley) - 594-350
Duralast Crankshaft Seal - 2025

It probably ended up saving about $500 on parts.
I'll probably need another $500 in brake parts.

 

Dammm!!

 

No it hasn't. It spent 4 years in Upstate NY while I was in college and it also spent a couple years in Corpus Christi, TX being driven on the beach a decent amount. I thought I did a decent job washing the undercarriage after each use, but I didn't do well enough. While I don't regret enjoying the truck on the beach, I wouldn't do it again knowing what I know now.

However, I have to give it to Toyota and Charles Barker specifically for spending over $17,000 on my frame replacement at no cost to me.

I'll end up writing them a check for around $800 for additional work, parts, and time they've put in. Another $1,000 in aftermarket parts they installed.

When I pick up the truck next week they will have replaced my:
- Rack and pinion
- Tie rod ends
- Intermediate shaft
- Alternator
- Serpentine belt
- Idler and tensioner pulleys
- AC Compressor and clutch
- Front diff drain plug
- A front transmission line bracket
- Front crank pulley and crank seal
- Water pump
- A fuel pipe clamp
- Positive battery terminal

That doesn't include any of the parts that were replaced covered under the frame warranty.

To answer your question, I'd say their communication is above average. I think their master tech doing the replacement is pretty knowledgeable. They gave me a little bit of a hard time for some aftermarket parts (bumper, winch and suspension) wanting to charge me extra labor for taking that stuff apart and putting it back together. After I called their bluff on that things went pretty smoothly.

 

Definitely. Do you have any leads on a shop that will spray fluid film for me? I'm in the middle of workups and don't really have the time.

 

I picked the truck up today. I'm pretty happy. I ended up paying:

$535 for mostly labor to Toyota
$663 to Camelback Toyota for parts
$644 to Rockauto for parts
$685 to Advanced Auto for parts
Total = $2,527 OTD

The master tech said this was the most painful replacement he's ever done and it took him 30 hours for which a normal Tacoma frame replacement takes about 15 hours.

 

Probably a good idea to bring the poly bushing kit with you .I installed mine after the frame replacement while trying to locate a noise.the dealer did not install the original bushings correctly.bent bolts and lopsided bushings.