Frame rust recall

Not in your area to make a recommendation, but definitely a good idea to ask here first. Take your time assuming you’re not knocking on a deadline. Also call and speak with the service manager before going in and get a feel first. Even if you have to wait a day or two, still worth getting an idea if it’s someone that sounds like they’ll work with you and comfortable doing the process.

 

ya, i am trying to have him check up by the Cat. I know he travels down to Denver every once in a while, what dealership in Colorado did you go to?

 

I used Peterson Toyota in Fort Collins. they have done a bunch of them.
I think it took 2.5 days. I had a rental for about 10 because I couldn’t get back down there that quick.

 

thanks for the info. That is definitely a haul, did you have a perforation on your frame?

 

Yes two of them otherwise it looked great.

Make sure if he wants to have a lift or anything changed out to bring the parts with him. Most places are pretty easy to work with and will install it as the truck is already apart.

 

appreciate it, I just went through the process myself, I need my brother to do a bit more inspecting because it does not look like his frame has any holes, the frame seperation looks to be pretty drastic though and i think that is what caused mine to fail. appreciate the help

 

Good luck with that Fiat fleece!

 

What issues did you have after frame replacement? I too had issues after frame replacement that were not present before hand, my truck has been in the shop more after frame replacement than it has in the 13 years i've had it.

 

They need to make it right. Keep after them. Maybe a call to get Toyota Corp. involved.

 

*Takes a deep breath*


They first tried to give it back to me with a rough and surging idle and in the first 10' I drove it away it felt like a miss and sounded terrible. Check engine light was on when I dropped it off, and I made a note of what code was present. I hooked my code reader up and it showed the previous code and also a cylinder misfire code. I immediately got out and went back in to say they weren't done. The service associate I was dealing with said ok we'll take a look into it. They found a loose pin at an ECU plug that imo someone was rough with when they removed the cab and engine harness. They just yanked and tugged on it compromising the connection. Then the 2nd time they brought it around for me 2 days later, when I went to leave, truck in D, it felt like the transmission was slipping and it was already in 5th gear from a stop. I put it in reverse and backed up to service dept again. Walked in and said well the misfire is gone, but now there's something wrong with the transmission. I told them it was probably another loose pin since this seems to be a common theme were running with now, and there's a lot of plugs that were removed for this job. Well the next day they called and said it was done and to come pick up. I got there and they actually hadn't done anything to fix it and now wanted me to pay for diagnosing the issue they created. The advisor also got uppity with me saying well your truck had issues when it came in so that's not our problem. I started to get loud and told him that sure my truck had an issue prior and it's been documented, but not the issues it has been having since THEY performed the frame replacement. Basically anyone within a 30' radius of the main entrance, sales area, and service waiting area got to hear my opinion of the work their service department performs. At that point the service department manager and I had a chat, and I explained that I'm not their typical customer that just says ok I'll pay to fix your fuckup. Im a heavy diesel mechanic/operator by trade and I'm very familiar with the process of diagnosing electrical problems. Hell if Toyota had offered to send the frame to my house I'd have done it myself. He said he understands where I'm coming from and agreed they would make it right. 24hrs later they once more called and said it was done. I left work early, and picked it up. I asked what they found to be the problem and the service manager said it was a loose pin at the transmission plug where the main harness plugs into the transmission. I said great so I'm going to be fighting electrical problems due to loose pins from now on. He said unfortunately since it's a 13yr old truck we can't fix everything but it's back to the way it was when you brought it in. I agreed and told him they'll never see me or this truck as long as I own it again. Sometimes you just gotta quit while you're ahead, and at this point the frame was brand new so I'm better than I was originally.

Finally was able to drive it off the lot issue free and home. A week goes by and I notice the truck had started pulling to the right so I crawled under the front end and then I realized why, because the damn alignment eccentric bolt was loose and the front right lca was not aligned anymore. I then proceeded to take a fine tooth comb to the entire underside of my truck. Most if not all harness clips were broken and instead of replacing them they used zipties and duct tape to secure them in the original holes. My winch wasn't hooked back up nor was my tailgate camera. Granted both where aftermarket options and I'm sure it said some where that i signed they weren't responsible for aftermarket accessories blah blah. That's pretty much it, getting this process started was just as difficult as it ended. Being denied 2x by the same dealer, and one dealer escalated my frame issues to corporate for approval. It wasn't until I left a shitty review anywhere and everywhere I could about the first dealer that they got back to me and had a corporate regional tech come out to give his professional opinion/inspection on it, which he said it qualified for replacement. It's done now and hopefully when my son is 16 he'll want to drive it and the frame will still be sound enough.

/End rambling rant

 

I thought the same thing about my two sons maybe driving my truck. But neither wants it telling me I’m always wrenching on it. Since the frame swap 3 years ago I’ve done a fair amount of little fixes but it’s still a great truck with 116000 on it. I took the bed off a few months ago and painted the frame axles etc with 2 coats of Chassis Saver. It turned out awesome and I’ll keep running it for a long time. At least my older son tells me his friends admire it!

 

Yesterday I received the Voluntary Frame Recall letter from Toyota in the mail for my 2015 Tacoma.

Guess I will never need it since I live in sunny CA and Frame looks virtually brand new.

 

Called yesterday for an appt to have the frame inspected. Build date of 03/08, figured I better get it looked at before time ran out. Got an appt for 11/25. It was inspected, passed & coated in '15, along with the rear springs (tsb) replaced under warranty (previous owner). They called me today and said if you got time, we can inspect it today. Sooner the better, in case they need to get a frame in the pipeline coming. Made sense. Took about an hour, they sent pics to the mothership and will wait on their recommendation and give me a call in a day or so. Said I would be getting the new formula coating if it passes, sometime in Dec. I'll really be surprised if it needs a frame, but being they sent pics to corporate, who knows. Been under it numerous times, and it looks decent for a lifetime Pa/Ohio vehicle. Only place that looked suspect to me was above the spare tire/ fuel tank area. We'll see, updates to follow...

 

Just curious did anyone not get there frame "undercoated" after inspection? I took my truck in for inspection I have no visable holes but some very concering lamination after the box section. They took all of about 20min to inspect it and told me I was good to go and I got no "undercoating".

 

If they sent pics they found something they suspect will fail. By now they know what fails and what does not, they just need Toyota Corp. to OK a frame. I would be surprised if you actually pass.

 

I kinda suspected the same when he told me they sent pics. It was pretty shitty up above the gas tank, and hard to see. But they know where to look, as you said. Won't piss me off in the least if it does fail. Body & running wise, the truck's first rate. I'll update when I hear something.

 

Got the truck back today, only a week since I dropped it off. Drove home in the pouring rain and it drove very well, we'll see how things go but I have high hopes they did a decent job.
The loaner was a 2018 Limited which was pretty plush but in the end I do think I like the 4.0 litre motor better. The smaller motor feels a bit gutless; I did like the heated seats etc though.

 

If you're in the north east, I assume your dealer has completed many frame swaps by now. Mine was done almost 3 years ago and my small town dealer did 40 some before mine. I haven't had any issues

 

The same dealer did the frame on my 2006, no issues with that job either. They did a few other jobs that needed attention, some I paid for some I didn't, over all it worked out well. I mean putting a frame under a 10 year old truck with 160K means there are going to be some parts that are just too worn out / rusty to go back on and they treated me pretty well.