Rear shock mount broke off my frame today... Is my frame junk?

$15,000 in parts?! From what I've seen a new frame costs $4-5k, what else did they replace?!

You don't really want to undercoat the frames or treat them with bed-liner type stuff, unless you can 100% DIP the frame in it. They rust from the inside-out, and you can't really get a spray gun inside the frame...

Best to just be super anal about cleaning the frames as often as possible to keep the road salts off, and treating as best you can with POR15.

Disclaimer: I say that like I'm an expert, but I live in CA so it's not an issue for me, but I've read enough of other people's posts who do deal with it to have a good idea...

 

how about a powdercoat? inside and out ... local powdercoater has almost assured me I have no problems ever with his work... with the new technologies
galvanizing is supposed to last for many many many decades (100 years!) I have heard?


it just seems the newer 1st gen frames are overly sensitive to winter chemicals?
or was this issue fixed with frame replacements?

 

All cars are sensitive to "winter chemicals". Only 1st gen got the huge campaign with 15 years warranty (or buy back on earlier models). 2-nd gen got its extended warranty too as they show similar problem. Look at any 20+ years old truck or car in NY or Chicago area. Unless is treated like a newborn child they all are rust buckets.

Blaming 1-st gen for rust is like saying blaming that only Acropolis has a huge problem with stone eroding, while modern concrete apartment blocks not.
The problem is that these trucks are just last too long. Other trucks will fall apart before the rust gets them, so the rust issue is not showing there (the rust eats them on junk yard).

 

I think they are still trying to "fix" it

 

Id be leery of galvanizing too. Galvanized hardware rusts out in no time when exposed to salt. And I fail to see how a powdercoater can get that crap into the fully boxed sections by only utilizing the tiny holes that are already present.

 

If you can get the powder coat INSIDE the boxed section of the frame, yeah, that would probably work pretty well.

All first gen frames were susceptible, and even the 2nd gen frames are too. The reason you don't see very many pre-2001 trucks with bad rust is because Toyota bought those back and crushed them. Only the 2001+ get new frames.

But even if you get a "perfectly" protected frame, you still have all your bolts and other hardware that is just as susceptible to the rust. That's why keeping your entire vehicle clean and dry is the best course of action.

 

Yeah i've heard about lots of guys that had their replacement frames rust out after 6-7 years. It's so true though that everyone gets hung up on Toyota's when I see rusted out silverado's and F150's all over the place! Realistically I feel like the only way to truly stop the rust is to park the truck in a garage and never drive it. I'm just glad that this replacement frame buys me more time with my truck

The $15k was parts plus labor, and on the service ticket it says 60 hours of labor was charged . I'll upload a pic of my service ticket if you guys are interested, It sucks that my copy doesn't have the prices listed next to all the parts though. The service guy just showed me the totals on his computer after I said I was curious about it.

I'm sure the dealer inflates their prices like crazy to get every possible dime out of toyota corporate haha

 

A new frame from camelback is $2800 online price lol. Might be worth it one day to buy one and just store it until I need it

 

wonder if you can get a quantity discount...

 

THis just happened to me today. My truck has never been abused or towed anything. It has hauled light items but nothing major. My passenger side top shock mount ripped right out of the frame.

I was told my truck was not covered under warranty a few years back when i checked. What now? Truck is in great shape minus this fact.

 

Safe-T-Cap is one option. https://www.autorust.com/product-category/toyota/tacoma-xtracab-4wd/

 

I'm sorry this happened to you, I can relate to the feeling. Unfortunately at this point too much time has passed and no 1st gens would be eligible for frame replacement from Toyota. Your two main options are to either repair your current frame, or find a clean frame for sale somewhere and replace it.

I would start by taking a ball peen hammer and hitting every surface of your frame up and down the truck looking for weak spots. If it seems solid other than where the shock mount broke off, i would order a saf-t-cap section of frame and weld it in yourself or search for a shop that will do it for you. Many won't, citing potential liability.

If however, you find multiple weak spots of rust on the frame, it may be time to search for a replacement. It likely won't be cheap, or easy. But where there's a will there's a way! Let us know what you find. Best of luck.