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Hail Mary - 04 Tacoma Frame Rot Issue

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Fubardtohell, Jul 14, 2016.

  1. Jul 14, 2016 at 3:00 PM
    #1
    Fubardtohell

    Fubardtohell [OP] New Member

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    Unfortunately, this truck came into my hands after the 'limited service campaign' Toyota did for these trucks back in 2011. I wasn't even aware of the campaign until another recall brought my truck in for service and they could not complete the recall repairs due to the extensive rust.

    Clearly the previous owner failed to take advantage of it, and after contacting Toyota, they told me in slightly nicer words to go f*#k myself because the (not a recall) service campaign had expired. I told them I was not even looking for a handout, if there was some kind of way I could get a frame and pay the labor or something! (I really like this truck)

    Does anyone have any advice or ideas on how to get help with replacing the frame? I'm not even sure where to start looking.

    Even similar stories could be helpful, at this point the truck has only 93k miles on it, engine and body are pretty flawless, but the frame is trash. This truck has a lot of life left in it but is sadly about to get sold for parts if I can't find a solution.

    Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read and for any help or advice you can provide.
     
  2. Jul 14, 2016 at 3:03 PM
    #2
    TashcomerTexas

    TashcomerTexas My truck is a whiner

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    Take it to another dealer. If I'm not mistaken some people are still getting frames.

    *1st dibs in line for 4x4 parts
     
  3. Jul 14, 2016 at 3:04 PM
    #3
    MatthewMay1

    MatthewMay1 I'm an amateur professional.

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    I thought you could buy a frame by itself....if you're willing to pay for it AND labor, the invoice to Toyota corporate for my frame job came to $15,000.
     
  4. Jul 14, 2016 at 3:05 PM
    #4
    Jester243

    Jester243 all I wanted was a god dang picture of a hotdog...

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    some of this, a little of that
    :eek:
     
  5. Jul 14, 2016 at 3:07 PM
    #5
    eon_blue

    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    If it wasn't taken in for an inspection by now, then it's no longer eligible for the frame replacement program. That ended back in March. Anyone who got their frame inspected up until March has a 15 year warranty on it now, if I'm not mistaken that's how it worked. I'm guessing the previous owner never got it inspected at all?

    Hoooooly shit dude! Had no idea it was THAT much. OP, your best bet is to find another truck of the same year/engine/trans type and do the frame swap yourself, or have a shop do it.
     
  6. Jul 14, 2016 at 3:11 PM
    #6
    DriverSound

    DriverSound Señor Member

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    You can buy a frame but it's like $2,500 not including all the little bits and pieces needed to replace it as well as labor. Being an 04, I thought there was a 15 year warranty so it would still be covered but I believe this is only if it was inspected and coated.
     
    MatthewMay1 and eon_blue like this.
  7. Jul 14, 2016 at 3:13 PM
    #7
    eon_blue

    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    Yup, had to have been inspected by March of this year.
     
  8. Jul 14, 2016 at 3:20 PM
    #8
    DriverSound

    DriverSound Señor Member

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    Seems like there's still quite a few of these low mileage, great condition trucks out there with rusted frames. I'd personally take the body off the frame and either find a donor frame or start tubing. Both will take lots of work. Depending on where the rust is, i'd consider plating as well.
     
  9. Jul 14, 2016 at 3:29 PM
    #9
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    If your a Fabricator you would not even be asking you would just build a frame and be done.

    Buying a frame from Toyota is not going to happen till all the warranty frames are done.

    The vendor can not meet demand on just the warranty claims

    If your in the winter weather a frame swap is just a short term fix unless your after that frame on a weekly basis
     
  10. Jul 14, 2016 at 3:29 PM
    #10
    DriverSound

    DriverSound Señor Member

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    Too few to list.
    You can submit a complaint to the better business bureau and nhtsa to see what comes out of it.
     
  11. Jul 14, 2016 at 3:30 PM
    #11
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    I'd be shopping for a SW example with stupid high miles, a bad trans or motor, a beat up body and a great condition frame.

    Searching wrecking yards for a totaled truck with a good frame. A significant hail storm can total a truck of that age with high miles. As can a front/side hit that blows airbags, dents a lot of metal and breaks glass, but never gets to the frame.

    Making two into one is your main hope IMHO.
     
  12. Jul 14, 2016 at 3:34 PM
    #12
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    That would work if the OP lives south of I 40

    My 2000 came from Texas as perfect as I could want did the whole 9 yards treating the inside of the frame it lasted 2 years
     
  13. Jul 14, 2016 at 3:34 PM
    #13
    eon_blue

    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    Not sure where you're located OP but if you keep an eye out for donor trucks on the west coast or desert area (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico...) I'm sure you could find a high mileage truck for cheap that has a great frame on it.
     
    MatthewMay1 likes this.
  14. Jul 14, 2016 at 4:08 PM
    #14
    Fubardtohell

    Fubardtohell [OP] New Member

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    Hmm did not know about the inspection, if I took it in for the tire plate/ball joint recall before March wouldn't they have done the inspection while it was there? I still have the work order from the dealer.

    I am thinking the donor truck might be my best alternative, but I'm in Eastern VA and not sure what kind of luck I will have with that. Anyone know some good resources on finding trucks like that? Will probably start calling around to local mechanics and see if they might be able to put me in touch with someone.

    Edit: Thanks for everyone that took time to reply, it might be a hopeless cause but I appreciate it.
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2016
  15. Jul 14, 2016 at 8:38 PM
    #15
    MatthewMay1

    MatthewMay1 I'm an amateur professional.

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    Nothing is hopeless. All you need is money and time :)
     
  16. Jul 14, 2016 at 9:20 PM
    #16
    retroboy1989

    retroboy1989 Single Cab 4x4

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    :goingcrazy:

    How i feel everytime one of these threads pops up.

    :rain:

    This was me a couple months ago..
    20160530_170903.jpg

    Lucky my truck had only lived in Virgina, Alaska, and Utah...

    :bananadead:
     
    DJB1 likes this.
  17. Jul 14, 2016 at 9:50 PM
    #17
    MatthewMay1

    MatthewMay1 I'm an amateur professional.

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    Might be the cleanest looking stock rear bumper I've ever seen
     
  18. Jul 14, 2016 at 10:09 PM
    #18
    retroboy1989

    retroboy1989 Single Cab 4x4

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    Brand new oem. I had just bolted it on that day when I finished painting the frame.
    It sat in a Toyota box for 17 years in some guy's garage.
     
  19. Jul 14, 2016 at 10:27 PM
    #19
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    It's funny-money accounting, since Toyota is supplying the frame. The parts price you see on the invoice has the typical 300% spare parts markup.

    Still hard to add up to $15k though. Say the frame is $2500. Toyota in the early years paid for 60 labor hours (ref https://www.reddit.com/r/Justrolled...ops_loaner_trucks_the_frame_needed_to/cjvw9lf ), so figure $6000 if the shop rate is $100/hr. $2500+6000 = $8500. :notsure:
     
  20. Jul 14, 2016 at 10:30 PM
    #20
    retroboy1989

    retroboy1989 Single Cab 4x4

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    There is a story out there of a guy that Toyota tried to stick for $5k in misc parts when they did his 2nd gen. Grommets, bolts, nuts, bushings, clips, brackets, washers, ect.
     

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