Tacoma Frame Replacement

I t-boned a Mustang and insurance opted to replace the frame and not total my 2017 Tacoma. I'd rather have a new vehicle, but hey, what can you do? My question is, can frame replacement be done with absolutely no bugs to worry with later? Also, Toyota says it'll be 30-90 days before they can ship a new frame--what's with such a long wait?

 

Lots of tacomas from 2001 up have had frame replacements due to rust. Not sure about complications but if you run into any issues, insurance should take care of it.

 

Welcome to the forum, sorry about your troubles. It seems odd that they would opt for a frame replacement over totaling it but who knows. A new frame will be good to go, the real question is what about all the others parts. Any pics of the damage?

 

Frame replacement is big work...the frames they replace on the 1st and 2nd gen Tacomas for the recall can take months to come in and a week or so to do the swap. Sometimes faster sometimes slower, but it's not unusual. I'm surprised they opted to replace the frame, but I guess it makes sense since its a brand new 2017 with a lot of value still left in it. I think on 1st gens the dealerships bill around $15k to Toyota to do a new frame + labor, for a 3rd gen I'm sure it's more than that.

If you do have any issues be sure to take it right back in to the dealer.

 

Certainly. How your short and long term experience will go will be fully dictated by the quality of the workers who do the job. Some people have problems the day they pick up the truck from frame replacement, some don't, some have minor issues. Make sure the dealership and insurance company who paid them will be accountable if you have any issues. Check all the systems when you pick the truck up, before you leave the dealer and make sure everything works.

They're not a replacement frame manufacturer, frames are slotted to build trucks which they're in full swing of doing with the 2018 model year soon to hit dealer lots. Production is high anyway, and now it's ramped up and has been for months. Frames are made by another company, also, so there's more hands involved in getting a replacement frame to your local dealer.

 

I'd probably wish it was just totaled as well... but given its NOT totaled I'd be really happy that they're replacing the frame rather than repairing it.

By the book Tacoma frames are NOT repairable anyways, so any insurance company or bodyshop trying to repair a Tacoma frame or chassis is actually liable if it gets in another accident down the road.

Same with the high tensile strength steel in the A-pillars and C-section, if that's bent AT ALL it needs to be fully replaced as the structural integrity is compromised.