Rust after 500 miles??

That is perfectly normal and it would not bother me.

 

Guess I'm the only pleb here

 

3M cavity wax is what I used on my trucks frame, I like that it does not stink like a chemical factory and it pretty much dries to the touch.

 

I use LPS 3 same stuff. have had it on a bare steel flat bar outside in chicago for 3 years and it looks fine , snow/rain/heat/sun/hail

$27 LPS 3 - Premier Rust Inhibitor 11 Ounce | MIL-PRF-16173E G2

https://www.amazon.com/Premier-Rust...keywords=lps3&qid=1559962687&s=gateway&sr=8-4

 

Fluid Film the chassis yourself, no more worries...

$34 Fluid Film (3 Aerosol Cans) Rust & Corrosion Protection; Metal Surface Penetrant & Lubricant, Marine, Automotive, Industrial, Home, 11.75 Oz

https://www.amazon.com/Fluid-Film-T...63725&s=gateway&sprefix=Fluid+,aps,244&sr=8-1

 

Wire brush and then use this.

 

Fluid film is good stuff, but it stinks and rots rubber parts

 

Also keep an eye on the area where the bed meets the cab. I don't know how long or when this rust began because I bought mine at about 22,000 miles and now on 25,000.

 

I gotta say, Toyota does have some sort of issue with this rusting of frames.

-Do I think what OP posted is a structural problem? No.
-Will spray paint fix it? Yes.
-Will Fluid Film help prevent it? Yes.
-Do I think it’s “acceptable” from Toyota? After close examination of my F150 frame, NO!! Not at all acceptable.

I drive a 2017 Taco and a 2018 F150 equal amounts. Both see many miles on gravel roads. I accept some rust on my Taco frame, because the frame gets pummelled with stones from the tires, and understandably the bare metal rusts wherever the paint gets hit. However, it also rusts at all the welds on the frame, and wherever there is welding splatter. I diligently touch these areas up, and use paint and fluid film, and I’m sure my Taco frame will be fine for years to come.

My F150 frame is really what changed my mind against making excuses for Toyota. My Ford has no rust on the welds, and no rust where the stones hit the frame. It’s a company truck, so I don’t really wash the undercarriage or worry about Fluid Film or paint. I will only drive it maybe 4 years before it’s changed out, so it gets no special attention. Even under neglect, abuse, and no special attention, that F150 frame stays nicely black, and nicely rust free, as do all the other Ford vehicles in the fleet.

Whatever paint, primer, or coating Toyota uses on the Tacoma frames is a cheap-ass budget product. That is only explanation I can come up with. They keep Tacoma costs down by painting the frame with as thin a coat, or as cheap a product as they think they might get away with.

That whole “the frame rust is due to suppliers” thing Toyota said when they had the 2nd Gen frame rot issue is just BS. Toyota knows full well what they are doing with the Tacoma frames, and it’s kinda shameful, but maybe keeps the trucks cheap.

 

My frame looked exactly the same when I bought the truck new. Totally normal. The paint doesn't stick to the impurities on the welds = rust. Add to that the thin frame-paint and no primer. The only way this could be avoided would be if Toyota sandblasted or etched all of the welds on the frame, and that ain't happenin'.

 

Ford does this process, or something that works. Maybe that’s why the Ranger costs another $10K

 

Figures.

 

Well, at least we don't get the stupid wax coating that Chevy trucks do...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vt4b5FYgRk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK63DghuG94

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfQ7VrSSPd0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXvl9nt57Kg

 

Rust on the welds is normal. Purchase 8 cans of Fluid Film and spend an hours coating the underneath, nooks and crannies and repeat yearly.

 

Never hurts to maintain your Taco. Brush it off with a wire brush, hold some cardboard around it to minimize overspray and apply the correct paint.

While they sell metal paint at Home Depot I have found most of their stuff is not as good as the same brands at my local hardware...likely the volume price pressure at big box means the China manufacturing uses even less quality materials.

 

Rustoleum and wire brush, call it done. Then on to the next mod.

 

Yeah Toyota has never missed a beat....except for 1.2 million Tacomas over of a 4 year period!

 

As long as we get Apple carplay and a power seat forget about the rust. I won't own this truck longer than the last payment anyways is the type of mentality for the majority of car buyers these days.

I'm sure in 2022-2023 there will be reports of large rust holes as usual.

 

Fluid Film also works amazing on your battery terminals.