Is this too much rust?

I'm looking at a 2003 Tacoma 4dr v6. It drives nice no fluid leaks that I could see, but the frame looks like it's rusted to shit. I didn't see and holes but it's flaking.

 

IMHO, it's not too much longer for this world.

Whack it in a few spots with the ball of a ball peen hammer and I'll bet you bust through.

If it's at a Toyota dealer, see if you can get them to process a frame swap under the old recall. If not, I'd walk away.

 

No thanks. Walk away.

 

It looks much better then mine I use every day!!

Your the one calling the shots

Knowing those years are going to have problems going in should always impact your offers.

 

I wouldn't buy it personally, but we don't know the price and whether you would be willing to do any work to the frame yourself. If it is market price, id pass

 

I wouldnt mind doing work on it but it would be a daily driver not so much a project truck. They were asking 10K for it with 160k miles. If anyone else is interested it in Cary NC

 

Put a piece of plate steel outside in just the weather it will look like that in just a few months.

People that have never lived in the north liquid brine belt are spoiled

All things considered If I was shopping for a truck and the price was within what I was willing to spend I would still put the truck through my prepurchase inspection and road test.

 

not a great deal, just pass

 

I agree, people commenting live in Florida, Tennessee etc, they have no idea what real rust it. That looks like surface rust to me. Nothing structural, if you can hit it with a hammer and its solid, which I'm willing to bet it is, you're fine. 10k with 160k miles is steep. My '04 had 102k miles and I paid 6k for it. Frame was a little rusty, more so than that in your pictures. Soak it with rust chek and mine looks good now.

 

Definitely doesn't look bad mostly surface rust. I would be more worried about body and suspensions mounts and all the joints. Either way 10k is FAR too much considering you'll have to either replace the frame or get it completely sanded and painted

 

On a quiet night you can hear a vehicle rust here. Most frames after a few years look like that if not undercoated.

It does kinda look its just surface rust but in front of the spring hanger looks suspicious to me. If i were to buy id expect to repair that frame in the near future.

 

A lot of people who have more experience than me tend to say that the frame rusts from the inside out. And if that's what it looks like on the outside, I can only imagine the inside is worse. Unless you're ready to buy a frame or can convince Toyota to replace it, I wouldn't even consider it. As others have mentioned, other suspension components may be rusted too.

 

If you have to ask, It's to much rust. It won't sit right with you. And I'm sure you had a bad feeling in you gut.

Walk away

 

It looks like surface rust but Just think, it probably hasn't had a decent coating since it came off the lot in 03 so who knows how far its gone since then, they still offer the frame swap for the 03 if you find major rust (as in holes) though don't they? Is it only for original owners? Like Clearwater Bill said, if its from a dealer maybe they can fix it .

 

Ugh, I guess I really am spoiled living out west in Southern California. We never see rust on frames, let alone like that. Pass...

 

Just pass man, you don't want that headache. Even if its just surface rust, the price is way too steep imo, it will become a nightmare if you don't treat it. Next...

 

That's likely just surface rust on th frame, you could have it checked at a dealer before you buy it. That may be mint, by snow belt standards, but what's the rest of the rig like? Worth $10,000 or not, that's another significant question. If that frame is rusted real bad, the body of the truck would have holes in it too.

 

Maybe you've only lived in one place all your life. Don't assume that others have too.

Even a salt water coastline where the beaches can be driven on is pretty harsh, although not as harsh as chemically treated roads, unless you are a 'drive in the water' nut case.

Wait, I think one of those Floridians said that. What a great idea.

 

I wouldn't spend 10 grand on any vehicle with that many miles.