massive frame rust crack, I need your help!

https://asheville.craigslist.org/pts/5733361611.html

 

...time to plan a trip to Asheville

 

Only if it was coated though.

 

For everyone who says that the OP bought the vehicle AS IS is screwed, I just have a quick question for ya. Not being an ass, just dont know and would rather try helping the OP rather than letting him sink with no definitive answer.

I can understand that AS IS is his problem if he bought the truck and the engine blew up. Yes the dealer could'nt plan that. How would it be legal in any state that sold this particular truck and did an inspection and said the vehicle was good to go? Do dealers not have to disclose there is a safety issue?

The video posted earlier said nothing of a vehicle with safety issues that could cause a death. Everyone who says he is screwed always refers to AS IS being a vehicle that breaks down. If you know for a FACT that dealers do not have to disclose a safety issue please post up a link.

 

Good point, I hope it can work for the op. I'm pulling for him. Takes pretty big balls to post an issue like this and put up with all the negativity.

 

Another thing, since the dealer gave the OP the Carfax report stating that there is no structural damage should they not honor paperwork that they gave him? Yes I know, Carfax is pretty useless but the dealer did give it to him to assure that the vehicle was good to go.

 

What good is a car fax report? If no one looked to see damaged frame, how would it get on the report? I garentee the dealer is gonna say they just did a computer check on this vehicle.

 

I believe carfax has a warranty, I'd look into that.
Good luck OP.

 

I think the critical thing is will the dealership try to claim the frame wasn't cracked like that when he drove it off the lot. It's against the law for a dealership to sell that truck in its given condition considering it wouldn't pass a safety inspection.

Best of luck to you op.

 

Weren't the frames built by a us company called dana?

 

this is how I see it, might be wrong but its what makes sense to me.

I understand what you are saying but a dealer who gives paperwork stating there is no structural damage on said vehicle should be held liable right?
It shouldn't matter where the report came from if the dealer is the one giving it out. That to me is saying that the dealer agrees with said report since they spent the time/money to get the paperwork to the OP.

I don't know, maybe I'm trying to hard for the OP

 

I believe this is exactly what they will do! It may be true that it wasn't cracked when they had it but the trucks frame was beyond compromised before the OP ever got it and a half ass inspection would have caught it. Sorry OP, not talking about your inspection but the dealers.

 

Have another question for you OP

Where you live, is it required to have a vehicle inspection? If there is and the dealer takes his vehicles to the same place all the time then they probably have some type of deal with the inspection place since he takes vehicles there all the time. Maybe he knows the inspection workers well enough to where the inspector will just pass whatever the dealer brings them? who knows

I purchased my truck in Missouri and they have an inspection that's needs passed before they sell a vehicle. When I checked out the truck it had one license plate light out, two lights burnt out in the third brake light, Ebrake seized, CEL on, hole in the muffler and probably some other things I can't remember. I talked them down on price and purchased the truck that day. I'm sure the good ole buddy system works between these inspection places and dealers.

 

Thats where my vendor qc comment came from. However the entire toyota truck line is legendary for rusting to pieces pre taco.

 

Update: after talking with the case manager and finding out the frame is not covered I started texting the dealer to feel out if he would settle this without having to get with a lawyer. He was very nice when I bought the truck and seemed sincere so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Here is the conversation.



Keep in mind I was trying to see what he would do for me without legal action and I was trying to be calm and cool headed with him. Nobody likes to deal with an irate customer, that would probably lessen my chance of getting help from him without trouble.

I will be speaking with a lawyer today about my legal rights in Indiana then going to the dealer with that knowledge. I'm also going to call that Craigslist post with all frames and see what their price is. Worst case scenario is I buy one of them and split cost with dealer and one weekend at a time go up to my dad's to swap frames out myself. (He has a barn and engine lift with all the right tools, I dont). Thank you everyone who has given me advice so far, I really appreciate it and it honestly helped me keep calm not to mention my wife.

 

I'm thinking it probably wasn't perforated at the dealer, but a couple hits on the ground knocked it enough to expose the existing weakened areas.

 

I highly doubt the dealer has anything to do with it. The dealer sounds like they are willing to help even though they are completely unresponsible for the damage. Who's to say the frame wasn't in that shape when they sold it to you? You even admitted you're not sure if it happened when you got it or after a few months of use and off-roading

If I were you I'd assume responsibility for your purchase that you lacked a real inspection on and either deal with it with your own hands (buy a new frame, repair existing frame, etc) or take the offer and see what the dealer can help you with.

Personally I would do it myself or find somebody I trust to swap a good frame in. I'm sorry for your situation but you really can't blame the dealer months after you purchased the vehicle.

 

I can find anything that indicates it's been months. The OP drove it twice off road and has been driving it daily. For all we know it's been two weeks since he bought it. This condition was existing, that crack did not just happen. So if they have vehicle inspections in Indiana the mechanic would have seen this. If they don't, then it's honestly several failures in inspection (the OP not withstanding, it's always buyer beware).

The frame on this truck has been compromised for some time, definitely months and probably years since the rust got to the point of perforations. I believe the dealer has responsibility here, perhaps even legally depending on laws in Indiana. So keeping a level head and trying to work with the dealer is the right approach. He's no worse off if eventually the dealer ends up with all the legal cards. The potential upside is maybe the dealer really didn't know how bad it was, has some sense of ethics and helps the kid a little with a frame swap.

 

Best of luck to you bud, I'm sorry man.

 

Not the dealers problem. And with the cost of getting a lawyer, which will get you no where, you can buy a 4ft length of 1/4 metal, cut out the frame yourself into a c-channel, clean out the inside and protect coat it, then find a friend with a welder or welding shop, bring a case of beer with you, and have them weld on the plates.

Do all the labour intensive work yourself so all the welder has to do is weld and you will be their favorite customer.

This repair shouldnt cost more than a couple hundred.

Assuming this is the worst part of the frame that you showed us. But its all fixable.

Way more affordable than a new frame which i dont think is worth it for a 12 year old vehicle.