Frame rust in NY - replaced frame only buy?

I'm looking hard for a rust free 1st gen. My million dollar question is: do I only only purchase a 95-04 that had its frame replaced by Toyota or can an original rust free frame be OK in snow/salt? If I get an original rust free truck and drive it during the salty winters here (yes it would always be sprayed off), would it have to be undercoated yearly (fluid film etc..) and/or would that even with undercoating, cause future frame rust/rot? Thanks

 

I would search the southern states that get very little snow and salt and drive it back. If you can find a decent shape truck where you’re at, you can always get Toyota or someone you trust to check it out. If you get one without frame rot, I would immediately fluid film it heavily or go to a dealer that applies fluid film or kroon, etc.. then upkeep the underside treatment at least every fall and spring to keep it rust free. The stuff will wear off due to being used, but reapplication will keep rust at bay. Hope this helps!

 

I can get the fluid film service for $150 if and when I need it. Leave it off at the shop on a Friday and then get it back Saturday. Then I would be spending $300 a year just in fluids. Are the replacement Toyota frames rust proof to an extent?

 

Your money would be well spent. A replacement frame can cost upwards of $11k.......you could just get the initial shop treatment, then just upkeep the treatment yourself with 3-4 cans at $9 apiece. No Toyota frames appear to be any better against rust, even though they advertise better steel, etc. I don’t trust that, so I fluid film. Better than rotting out in a few years and can’t drive my truck or even afford to replace the frame.

 

Nearly all of the frame replacements were on '01-'04 1st gen Tacomas. Many cold climate '03s and all '04s are still under warranty if the owners kept up with the warranty requirements. I would still be cautious of any 1st gen purchased anywhere with regard to frame rust. Inspection is a must, as is a vehicle history report. You need to know where the truck was located during its service life. There are OK trucks in the north, either with or without replaced frames, but you must be diligent in your search.

I lost both my '97 and '00 to the buy back program, and had the frame replaced on my '01. The first two were from Long Island, while the third was from NJ/PA. My current is from ME, with a very questionable frame, but still under warranty.

Good luck.

 

Who can tell your rolling the dice .

We really don`t have any idea if the new frames will hold up better .

In our Climate with the use of Liquid Brine and mountains of salt any frame is going to need constant attention .

My Truck came from Central Texas if I remember it was after the second winter it needed attention .

I asked about buying a new frame I was told only after all the warranty claims finished I am still waiting .

Right now I am deciding if I want to repair with Stainless and be done or just use the mild steel pieces .

Good Luck on your search for a Truck

If you go to look at any trucks down towards Allentown and if the timing works out and want some company I would be glad to help

 

YOu can get one with an original frame, as long as it was well maintained and rustproofed. The frames don't rust for no reason. The real killers are the salt and chemicals put on roads during winter. Even replaced frames will rust and rot when exposed to this crap.

Paint is not enough, you must rustproof it as well, as the salt will eat through the paint. If you don't, it's gonna turn your frame into swiss cheese in a few years. You must rustproof it each year, to keep maximum protection against corrosion.

Also, very important to rustproof the inside of the frame as well, as these frames have a tendency to rust and rot from the inside out

Anyway, the best would be to not drive it during winter (or as least as possible). If you have to, rustproofing will help your frame a lot

 

Are Chevy, Ford, Nissan, and Dodge trucks affected the same way too?

 

Domestic frames are miles ahead of Toyota’s. Domestic bodies and brake lines are not. Pick your poison.

 

Figured that

 

Every car and truck, no matter the brand, will rust when exposed to the winter salt and chemicals. It's just a matter of time. Some rust faster, while some rust more slowly. Depends on the quality of the steel used, I guess.

The horror stories about rusted through frames are probably because the trucks had never been rustproofed or the owners stopped doing it at one point. You have to rustproof regularly if you want to keep your car protected from rust. Rustproofing should start when the car is brand new, when there is no rust, then done each year or two years (depending on the treatment). If you decide to start rustproofing when there is already rust, it is too late (depends on the severity of the rust, of course)

The thing, though, is that toyota is the only manufacturer who offered a solution (frame replacement or buy back) to those who had frame issues.

 

Toyota frames are junk, flat out pure crap compared to what else is out there. Toyota’s settled a class action on the Tundra, Seqoia, and Tacoma...Frames didn’t last 5 or 6 years in heavy salt states

 

The Toyota frames in question were manufactured in the US by a US company (Dana).

 

Never did hear who rolled the steel ??

15 year old Trucks in this part of the world all need tender loving care unless they were Garage Queens no matter who built them

 

see, we still have crappy US methods/QC to blame, just like the gas pedal fiasco

exactly, my uncle's '11 full size Chevy has lots of surface rust, he drives this in winter and occasionally year round when needed. his '07 Cobalt does not get driven in winter, still pristine (although dusty at times )

 

Still Toyota's fault ultimately though. 15 model years of buy backs and frame replacements is beyond what you can blame on a supplier.

 

Just my experience here. Got my 2004 TRD in South Carolina about 3 years ago. It had no rust at all (the seller showed me the frame recall paper but it did not include SC. As soon as I got it home in MA I fluid filmed it. Been doing it every fall since. No rust yet. The sides of the leaf springs surface rust slightly. PS. Before the First Fluid film I painted the inside of the frame with 4 cans of the green internal coating from Eastwood and painted all the welds with rust bullet. Now if I can only find a good dusty road ......

 

Same here - got my '01 from AZ last year and had it undercoated the first day I had it back in Vermont. Plan to have it done annually

 

Looking at this one, but I would go 7500
https://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/d/04-toyota-tacoma-4x4/6374692934.html

 

Not bad, and with replaced frame. Double cabs usually start much higher. If you are interested, I wouldn't hesitate too long.