Frame security in buying a used 2005-2010?

Angryseas... you know the issue I had with my 2004, same as yours. We ignored the TSB- bad choice by us, not Toyota!! Let me ask you something else- what preventative maintenance did you do to your truck? I'd guess the same as me- NONE. Not a single thing. I probably washed the truck once a year after it was 4 years old and certainly never washed salt off the frame. So we both ignored the offer for Toyota to fix our trucks, we both never put one single finger on our frames- but only one of use is concerned with owning another one. Mine went 230k miles on nothing but brakes, tires, fluids and filters. It was 10 years old, neglected. Obviously, I couldn't even be bothered to perform a TSB!! I'd say that's pretty good. And I still got a handfull of cash for it!! People go insane for these trucks. Take a look under any neglected daily driver that is 10 years old... I'll bet they are rusty as all hell. Difference is those vehciles aren't getting a frame treatment and subsequent frame replacement.

I have a new 2013 in my driveway, it's beautiful and awesome. And this one will get fluid filmed and washed frequently. I will also open all my mail when it's from Toyota! This is New England, vehicles don't last forever up here. But Toyota certainly did step up to the plate and offer the TSB. If we didn't ignore it, we'd both have new frames and inspection stickers on the windshield. Go drive a Frontier, the F-150... I did. None were better than the Toyota. And I can promise you this... no one is going to be knocking down your door to buy it even when it has holes in the frame and can't pass an inspection!

 

Oh, I guess I should have read more closely... I think I would be gun shy with buying a used one. But then again, I don't understand the economy of buying these trucks used.

 

That's true, however Colorado is very arid, while we are stuck with humidity and that accelerates rust even when there is no rain or snow.

 

It is my understanding that they do not use road salt in
Colorado. It is bad for the environment, or something.

I spent most of a day at the Denver Airport in 2012 after my connecting flight from Hays, Kansas had been cancelled. The airport vehicles were old, dented, and faded, but had no rust.

 

I live in central Kansas and bought a 05 DCLB 140k mi that came from Kansas City, KS area, and frame was really bad, I took it back to dealer 2 days after I got, and got my money back. Then I found a 07 DCLB 65k mi that came from a coastal town in So. Texas and frame looked brand new, cant tell but don't look like it was replaced. I purchased Carfax on the 2007 and nothing but maintenance and registration entries.

 

In Colorado where I live they use mag-chloride which just eats up plastic and rubber!!No salt here,but I constantly pressure wash it.You can't be so damn lazy take care of your truck it will take care of you!!

 

live in an enviorment where salt/rust is an issue and seems to be toyota's achillies heels. Loved the mechanical durability of tacomas (last one held on for 16 years) but given my environment and the fact that i am 60-90 hrs a week/ kids at home my truck gets ridden hard and put away wet as it were so i dont know. Honestly never thought i would but another truck and am not bashing tacomas just cant afford to buy an 08-2010 that is rusted out in 4-6 years given there resale value as they are now. Maybe the frame issue is fixed or same safety net will be offered i wish i knew cuz would buy another in a heart beat. Thanks for the feedback

 

No, the CDOT & county folks prefer mag chloride, which--as others have pointed out--can also cause some issues, but rinses off easily. I run our vehicles through a new car wash (which really cleans off the underbody) ASAP after driving around when fresh mag chloride (it's a liquid) has been sprayed on the roads.

In addition, we live on what's known as the Western Slope of Colorado, only about 20 miles from Utah, and get very little snow compared to the mountains or the Front Range (the Denver metro area, etc.). Unless there's some sort of "emergency"--like running out of coffee--I usually wait just a few hours after a snow storm for the sun to melt/dry off the roads if I need to drive to town.