Need advice on 1st Gen Tacoma with Frame Rust

kill the rust and plate the frame. easy work

 

You are definitely right with the whole brand loyalty thing. That being said, a ton of members are super nice, knowledgeable, and helpful.

The first Tacoma I bought was a 1997 with a completely disintegrated frame. I bought it thinking I would be able to weld on patches but it ended up being unrepairable. It was so bad, it makes yours look mint. I called up Toyota Corp. and they basically told me to fix it myself and that they were sorry. I ended up getting an 01 that had its frame swapped, and keeping some spare parts and parting out the rest.

I actually believe that your issue as long as it is isolated to that section is very repairable. I tend to agree with you on the fact that a frame should not rust as long as it is not neglected (even in Buffalo NY). This whole problem could have been avoided if toyota had either galvanized the frames, or just made them out of thicker metal.

I truly think that Tacomas are great trucks, and I hope that you are able to find a solution that you are happy with.

_Charlie

 

Toyota didn't make the frames. They contracted out and the company lied to Toyota on how they were making them. They used inferior steel, even on the 2nd gens when the company said they changed their steel formula. The 2nd gens are also having issues. Toyota ended up filing a lawsuit against the company.

 

Not everyone considers cutting out and welding plates to frame easy. Theres not much solid left to weld too.

That being said i am a welder and if my frame ever goes bad il take cab off and use c channel and plate to completely box over the bad areas. (thats the plan in my head anyways)

 

Deere9798, I didn't mean brand loyalty in this forum. I mean "my own" brand loyalty to toyota. I really appreciate your comment though and thanks.
Welding steel plates is not my thing. I have friends that weld but they are not pros. I don't want a beer drinking buddy welding plates on my truck with just a few hours experience and this is my daily driver.
I need my truck. I am just a lowly consumer. I didn't know buying a toyota would require such extensive knowledge and the practicing skill set of welding my frame back together. Forgive me.
I will see what the fabricator can do. Point is it should not be rusting.
About 5 yrs ago my front left front axle just broke going down the interstate at 60mph. The friggin wheel just fell off. I am sure you can imagine why my wife won't leave town with me in it ever again. I didn't complain or call toyota. I just had it fixed and kept plugging away. Two months ago, the right front axle broke going about 25 mph. I didn't complain then either. I had it fixed and kept plugging away. I was 5 hrs out of town. Several years ago the clear coat just starts popping off one day after a rain. I know it is an older truck. But the frame shouldn't be rusting at this point. Especially when I took it in for an inspection on nov 3 ,2011. They had their chance to make it right.
I have been reading all day about peoples horror stories with their frames and waiting 5 and 6 months and then having to pay thousands of dollars for parts needed after their trucks had been taken apart. It's just a sad day in mudville as far as I am concerned. And the people that got their truck bought back turned right around and bought another one. How many people are on their second tacoma with the same issue?
I am shocked at how apathetic people are about this issue.
My wife drives a 1971 Vw squareback type 3. Everything on the car has been replaced or repaired. But not the frame.

 

I wouldn't be upset at 18yrs old and 190k miles. The truck has done its job. I've seen many other vehicles frames rust. Heeps seem to be prone as well. I've had a couple buddies wranglers frames look like Swiss cheese. One guys broke

 

I agree with you. The frame has issues even Toyota found unacceptable. It's not unreasonable to expect some factory assistance, even if it's a parts/labor split or something similar. It's good business.

 

I'm one of your beer drinking buddies potterjon and I can make things stick with a welder. But before I talk you into letting me practice my welding skills on your tacoma, I have to weld mine since I stuck my finger through my frame yesterday in the same spot. '96 tacoma 4x4.