Recalled frame already rotted out...help!

My 2001 Tacoma had a frame recall approximately 10 years ago. The frame has already rotted out on both rails and she is unsafe to drive. I had called Toyota in Texas and was basically told "too bad"......Any thoughts or suggestions? Please help....I love my truck, just put $3k into it, I am so bummed....Thanx. Woody.

 

Here’s a frame in NY State CL (not mine)

 

that most likely will not fit to his 2oo1 model (but don't quote me on that)

 

do you have any pics of it?

 

If you could fix it yourself you would have just done so.

It was not a recall it was an extended warranty

Have any friends that can weld?? Paying to have it done could be $2500.00 plus.

Where has the truck lived before Texas I can`t see Texas as a Winter weather climate lots of surf fishing ?

Just curious how you did not notice anything before it got this bad??

 

do you know if it was common practice to spray that crc coating on a brand new replaced frame (most pics i have seen on TW show that it was not coated so probably not) or was it just left as is and no further treatments or anything unless you actually knew what was going on

 

Yeah I'm also wondering how it got to this point without noticing, esp after $3k was allegedly just put into it.

I dunno what was done but I feel like if I did $3k ANYTHING to a truck I'd notice a frame that's hit this point.

Anyway, I think it's all over but the cryin'. You're not gonna get anything more from Toyota nor should you. They can't warranty every vehicle to last forever. Start shopping for a used frame or look at realistic ways to repair.

Assuming there's enough meat somewhere to get some solid beads, you could cut and prep plates and then approach a friend who can weld with a 12 pack and a couple hundred bucks.

With a 4.5" angle grinder and a boat load of cutting and grinding discs you can make plates that'll fit as needed. As your first post leads me to believe you may not have much experience in such matters, you want an even larger boat load of PPE - gloves, eyes, ears, probably a face shield.

But if the cancer is incredibly severe you're just treading water....a replacement frame may be the only option

Or, it IS a 2001 vehicle....may be time to move on. Part out what you can or dump it off for $1500 as-is and consider this a life lesson that Toyota ain't invincible, it's just another truck with flaws and weaknesses like any other

 

I have heard the replacement frames still suffer from the same metalurgical screw up as the original frames. Also I heard 2nd and 3rd gen frames suck too. Fluid film seems like the only answer to me. I am happy with my original 2004 frame since treating it. zero rust. (on the frame at least.)

 

That's interesting. I assume you contacted the dealer who replaced the frame. To me - that's unacceptable that a replacement frame failed in that short of time. How did that happen? Some of the rot could be avoided by keeping an eye on it but that's not always the case. I have to hawk eye mine all the time as I live in a cold weather state. Mag water/salt in the winter. I sometimes will have about 2 boxes of fluid film taking up garage space. I really can't even smell it any more. lol That sucks though - I'd definitely go the route of bugging the ever living shit out of the dealer and Toyota Corporate about that. Might not be worth it but better than not pestering them.

 

You sound very reasonable, I like your style. You're gonna be welcome here. I love hearing input and experience from people that I can tell are reasonable.

 

If you do the math the replacement frame lasted longer than the original. Toyota isn’t responsible for the owner not maintaining the vehicle over the last ten years, especially one fully aware that the frames will rot out if not cared for.

 

If folks watched their first frame rot from neglect and Toyota replaced and gave them a free one, chances are high the second one will rot from neglect. These are the folks who didn't learn from the first frame. In certain states owners HAD to take some action to protect their investment but they didn't do it. I'm certain even just hosing the frame off an honest once a week, would have save many many of them

 

i would also say a better quality paint covering is a possible solution?, but only time is going to tell

 

The truck has lasted from 2001 (likely built in 2000) to late 2019.

I'd say Toyota's obligation to the customer has been fulfilled.

I like driving older junk, too, but I assume all responsibility for keeping it on the road.

 

i certainly wish my state had been subject to whatever, we were sorta left out in the cold as it were with no knowledge base and heads up, AND probably still are!
there are spots that are just not 'easily' hoseable

 

Your stealer service dept prolly never brought it up with you as your frame was never an issue. You were one of the few, the proud, the Mari....owners who washed the frame off every week. You are the proof that we've waited for all along, a one owner taco that the owner actually power washed the chemicals off every week in winter so we could see what it looks like after 20 years of doing it. And the frame didn't rot at all or crack or compromise. This is proof to me and I've made my conclusion.

 

i still could've done more, much more! i have found spots that I have never seen before


i recently asked the stealer service manager about the inside of the frame and he looked at me with the look of puzzlement, he had absolutely NO CLUE what i was referring to

 

yeah they aren't going to do anything. I missed the cut off with my first Gen by 3 months after I bought it. They wont do anything.

 

The dealer didn't build the frame -- ain't their fault. In this case they were just parts replacers. Toyota gave them a new part to install, and they installed it.

If OP wants to waste his time fighting with Toyota, he'll have to go straight to corporate. But you'd be better to spend that energy and money taking a trip to southern CO, AZ, or NM and finding a used no-rust frame. NV probably promising and maybe CA, too.

Then, before you swap everything over have the frame blasted and painted. You could paint yourself with a quality process, too (maybe look to Eastwood). But again, I'm amazed at the lengths people go to for these old Tacos and it's not 'cause they're any better than any other truck -- people just get irrationally enamored with the Toyota name. Sorry, I know a Toy forum will flame me for that but spend some time working on all makes and you'll see they all do stupid stuff.

The frame is trying to return to dirt, from whence it came. Some day your body will do the same, too. It's inescapable. If at that time you wish to demand God warranty your body, good luck.

 

People just have to stay on the power washing every week in certain environments. That's the answer, unless they're doing certain preventive measures like fluid film and crap then you can go longer without power washing prolly. Even with the frames now, the third gens, people have to wash those frames off weekly in certain places. Prolly better to err on side of caution on this one too