Frame rust on 2004- what is acceptable?

Hi, all! I am sure this topic has been covered exhaustively, but I would love some opinions on undercarriage/frame rust on a 2004 Tacoma I am in discussions about. (The truck is a good 4 hour drive away, and I want to be fairly certain it is worth this commitment.) Background is that she has been a Tahoe truck, where roads get salted in winter. I am trying to get my eye in for the actual problem spots to watch for, and current owner said she has never spoken with a mechanic specifically about frame rust. Thanks in advance!

 

Starting to look flaky right in the typical problem area by the leaf spring front hanger. I would pass, there are much cleaner frames on these trucks in CA if you are shopping for one out here. Tahoe is one of the few areas that uses road chemicals in the winter in CA so the frames from local trucks around there won't be very good unless taken care of.

 

2004 Tacoma 15 year extended frame warranty expired and rust shown in pics indicates imminent failure in near future. Plus it needs leaf springs replaced and hagers welded back. HARD PASS, unsafe to drive.

 

Another vote to keep looking, this one is just too dicey.

 

Thank you, eon_blue, the flaking is what concerned my untrained eye. Black Dog Lila, we did know leaf springs needed (eventual) replacement, but thanks for the advice here. We’ll keep looking! Any tips for where I can find images to “get my eye in” on these issues?

 

Lots of good info on this forum if you search around the 1st gen section on what to look for. You can tell the leaf springs in those pics are bad because of how they angle so far downward...those pics are of the front of the leaf springs and they should not point down like that, they should be level or slightly pointed up depending on if they're OEM or aftermarket. But leaf springs should not have a negative arch to them, they do wear out over time

 

Use the TacomaWorld search feature in upper right on Home page.

 

You can TAG members by profile names @akgirlincali

 

Thanks, @eon_blue , this is exactly the sort of visual guidance I was hoping for! Obviously not a mechanic, and a future Tacoma but not current owner... so those photos were not in context for me. You guys have been very helpful!

 

No problem, things like leaf springs are easily replaceable so that's not necessarily a bad thing as long as the price is right...but a bad frame is a whole other story. And that frame looks like it doesn't have much time left in it

 

@Black DOG Lila , thanks... Was more of an interface issue between my phone browser and the site. But always good to know how to properly thank someone!

 

Yes, I noticed (thanks to this site!) that there had been an extended warranty on this truck for frame rust, and the owner acted like she was unaware... and maybe was, being the second owner. But it red flagged for me. You guys are great, @eon_blue !

 

Welcome to TW... I too, would pass!!

 

Welcome to TW!