Thoughts on buying 2009 with frame just replaced

Hey all,

I'm looking to join the club and purchase my first Tacoma (DC, 4x4). I'm in the South and I'm seeing some Southern trucks (2010-12) for around $14k with 175k miles or so.

In my search I saw a Northern truck (1-owner, life in Pittsburgh) with only 100k miles for $15k. What's interesting about this one is that it was traded in to the dealer last November. The dealer (Rohrich) put it up for sale (at $17.5k), and then replaced the frame on it in late January. Then it was sent to auction and is now at a no-name used car lot. I like the idea of low miles and generally prefer low-miles older to high-miles newer. With that being said, I worry about:
(1) Buying a rust bucket (obviously it has rust elsewhere if frame was replaced) and
(2) Issues with the frame replacement not being done correctly. Especially since the dealer did the replacement, sold it at auction, and I would be the first owner.

Would you buy the 100k mile truck? Or do you think I'd be happier with a Southern truck with higher miles?

 

Welcome to Tacoma World! I will take a stab at throwing a few ideas out there. Obviously any truck you buy should be inspected for any issues, including rust. Having said that, the bodies that I have seen have been in pretty good shape and almost rust free, even if the frame was replaced. The dealers should be replacing any severely rusted components as part of the frame replacement process so the underside should be in pretty good shape overall. I would certainly request pictures and those pictures should tell the complete story. If the frame replacement was done properly this should be a big selling feature and anyone selling the truck should eagerly provide you with evidence of the truck's condition. Most Toyota dealers have been doing these replacements for awhile and have even settled on specific employees who sometimes do nothing but frame replacements as a job. My local dealer often has either a stack of old rusted frames that have been replace and/or a stack of new frames waiting for replacement. So most dealers should be pretty good at the whole frame replacement game and the net result should be positive. The good news with a frame replacement is often fuel and brake lines and various other parts are replaced at the same time so you are getting more than just a new frame.

In summary, I would not be overly worried about the frame replacement. In fact, I would be excited about it having been done recently. But of course, inspect, inspect, inspect first and foremost. Then drive and if you still have a concern take the truck to a trusted garage, Toyota or not, and have an experienced mechanic give it the once over and check it out for piece of mind.