Rust on Frame with A/C drain mod fix

The AC drain has had this design since the second gens. I'm sure in the last 15 years or so we might have heard of something more than surface rust if this was actually an issue. Or Toyota might have spent the extra $1 it would cost to resolve this.

One of those "it's easy so you may as well do it, I guess" mods for people who detail their trucks.

 

Yeah, because Toyota is very responsible with frames and frame rust specifically? That’s not a concern for old Toyotas at all.

 

They are: they're so responsible that they've done a rust related frame recall since this issue has existed that didn't cover this issue.

Probably because that issue has an actual demonstrated impact and not feels.

 

I mean, sure. Cool. You’re all set.

Unless, wrong year or already treated with goop or rot is not to their liking or …

I dunno man, it’s not that I’m concerned about this really but I also don’t think Toyota owns the frame problem. That’s clearly a weakness as demonstrated by the change to a fully boxed 4th gen.

Hammer hangers, frame replacement, etc are all symptoms of Toyota giving sub optimal F’s about frames but yet building a truck which can outlive a human. It’s odd, really.

TLDR: I don’t take this as a serious problem but I also don’t trust Toyota to cover my frame integrity for the life I expect my vehicles to have. I’m buying for 50-75 year lifetimes.

 

Yeah, like I said, I don't think this is necessary but it's one of those low effort things and if it makes you feel good there's no harm, so send it.

I just see a lot of "what should your first mod be" links to this thread as though it's some critical issue every new owner of a 2023 should rush out and do. I just don't think it's that.

 

No, definitely won’t save the frame. But neither will Toyota. Best bet would be brand new frame and box it then galvanize it then swap it. But for sure if anyone went that far, Lady Luck would ensure a collision.

 

I have a "new to me" 2017 Tacoma SR 4cyl. This truck has had 3 previous owners
and has always been driven in the deep south (A/C runs 7+ months per year).
The condensate drains drips directly onto the frame, but there is no rust or staining.
I'm wondering if because this truck was built in Texas and has a painted frame,
it may not suffer this issue.

 

It's because you're in Texas. Nothing rusts down there.

 

Great mod that gives you piece of mind. First thing I did the day I brought my truck home.

 

I really need to do this, never knew it was even an issue. Hopefully there isn't too much rust at this point. Thanks OP for this!

 

I did this mod pretty early on. I need to pick up a can of the stop rust to touch up some spots.

 

I had the new Tacoma for just over 24 hours and I noticed the AC drains directly on the frame. Then, this morning I saw this thread confirming my suspicions! I'll perform the mod as soon as I get home. I do not usually run AC but why not

 

Nice, will be doing this mod.

 

I did this mod today. I used clear plastic hose from Home Depot, 5/8 ID, with 3/4 OD, and hose clamp to fit.

 

I ended up using a metal dryer lint trap that, so far, has been working okay. Time will tell if it will deter the smaller spiders.

 

Thanks for the quickie fix.
Gonna get it tomorrow on my 2020 Tacoma

 

$8 and 15 minutes, did it, just because now I can identify WHERE the water is coming from, lol.

 

Good man. Me too
Drained 1tsp of fluid from each
Caliper, without pedal depressed,
Cured the initial "hard braking"./

 

Smart idea. What are the odds that a frame swapped Tacoma would have had this done by Toyota?

 

I removed this from my second gen and added it to my ‘23. The boxed frames in that area were changed over time, so it isn’t as bad as before. One of our 2008 4Runners was pretty bad on the passenger side frame. The one with this hose added was still intact.