New owner -found rust!

Well, I thought I bought a great truck. A 2001 TRD loaded with 96,000 miles v6 4x4 rear locker. Awesome. But this afternoon I found a 3" hole on inside of frame right by gas tank. I looked for rust, just not good enough. Everywhere else looks great. The person that owned it passed away, bought at estate auction.Is there anything I can do? Thanks

 

I hope you bought it cheap.

 

$6000

 

$6k for an 04 TRD 4X4 with 96k miles its a steal, have a good welder patch the frame and enjoy the truck.

 

Contact a Toyota dealer of your choice and have them check your VIN to see if you're covered under the frame replacement program. Good luck!

 

So my first thing is to see dealer, run vin?

 

It's a 2001, but yes, still should be a good deal, even with repairs. Just kicking myself for not seeing this!

 

They won't replace it since its passed 15 years. Your best bet is to find a competent welder.

 

I thought that would be the verdict. Thank you for your quick responses. Oh well just my luck. Once I decide what I'm going to do sell/trade . Will report back

 

A competent welding shop can weld 11 gauge steel plate, cut to match the frame, to the sides of the frame and box it in. I recently had an estimate for $335.00 to do this same job when my frame broke in two on the passenger side at the rear spring arch between the spring hangers. There are also kits available that have precut parts to box the frame in but they too need to be welded. From my experience you should be able to find a good welding shop that can reinforce your frame. Don't undercoat. Use primer and paint on clean steel and also use a fluid oil coating on the inside. There are kits on Amazon for that. Best of luck.It sounds like a nice truck.

 

Don't be so sure. 15 years from date of initial sale... if it sat on a dealer lot or was used as a "demo vehicle" it may have sold as much as 2 years late (Unlikely but not impossible). I'd still have a dealer check the VIN. Worst case they'll tell you what we already expect and your no worse off. At the same time they can check for any other outstanding recalls.

 

Interesting. I was told it was 15 years from the manufactured date on the vin. OP can still check with the vin but it'll likely result in nothing.

 

It is from the "In service" date of the original sale, which makes it doubtful it's still under the 15 year extended warranty. Depending on where the truck lived, it would also have to have been undercoated by toyota before the deadline. But I would check it if it were me. I would put it on the toyota owners site and see what the service records show, or run a carfax (not guaranteed to be complete, but gives a sense of the maintenance history). I have both records for my truck.

 

OP it was be nice to know where you live.

 

Yes, 15 years from the "in service" date. Highly unlikely that an 01 would still be covered but can't hurt to ask. A for what to do if it's not covered, find someone good at welding and patch it. Be sure to throughly check the entire frame and get any weak spots taken care of. Then treat the frame inside and out.

 

Kentucky

 

Yes I have a gut feeling Toyota is not going to help. Understandingly so. My dilemma is whether or not to fix it, sell. Really like this truck, my first Toyota truck, but not first Toyota. I'll post my decisions as I decide, great discussions here. Will give dealer a shot though, can't hurt

 

it doesn't hurt to investigate it, you never know they could replace your frame for free with a loaner car,dont go by what people say on the internet and call it good. Take it in to the dealer!

 

On my way now

 

Op, you bought a 01 Tacoma 4x4 with rear locker with 96k for 6k...

People on the west coast would pay around twice as much for it.

Just past 90k you need to check and see if 90k maintenance was done (timing belt water pump) Check the air box for a replacement sticker


Can you post a pic of the rust ?


If the frame can't get replaced do your research and find a more than capable welder. A 3in hole, is nothing compared to what rust horror stories are out there.