Too much frame rust?

2009 considering buying, seems to be surface and seam rust, but no perforation. Had not been dealer inspected for the warranty enh. program. Appreciate opinions as to purchase or not. Thanks.

 

Where is the location? What's the asking price and model of the truck? If it's a truck in the salt belt northern states, I would say that's not bad. The control arms looks to be the worse as far as rust. Everything else looks treatable.

 

For a 10 year old NE truck it seems not too bad.

 

Depends on the price. It's not THAT bad. Personally i'd stay away from it unless its a good deal. If you do buy it, you'll want to address it immediately

 

I would not buy it. Too much rust at all the seams.

 

Unless the price was a steal and I had the time and energy to address the rust myself, I'd personally pass on that one.

 

Honestly doesn't look that bad. Could hit all the seams with a wire brush to knock all the big flakes off, then do a coating like fluid film or something. Whatever you do, make sure you get the inside of the frame too

 

Iowa, base model for 11k, in good condition with only 80k miles. Should still be covered until 2021 under the frame wep even if it did develop perforations. Was not coated with the crc application though, which expired 5-21-19. Wep still good till 2021 though. If you treat it with por-15 or fluid-film, does that negate the wep and potential frame replacement?

 

compare to others:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rust-prevention-treatment-consolidation-thread.355928/

 

My 2009 doesn’t look like that after ten winters in Cincinnati. I’ve got some surface rust but not that much at the seams. But I agree, it really doesn’t look that bad. Would only take a few hours to knock most of that rust off and coat it yourself. The rear of my truck takes the most abuse from the salt/snow. I had to replace my rusted rear bumper support and my tow hitch was in terrible shape until I removed it, wire brushed and sanded the rust off and recoated it.

 

This right here.

Me personally, wouldnt touch a rusty vehicle with a 10ft pole.... though that is one of the perks of living here in Socal.

 

Thanks all; think I'm in. Always wanted a simple, base tacoma, mileage is low, and have the enhanced frame warranty till 2021
Fluid film or por-15 is the question after the wire brush.
I have searched and I know the base model doesn't have the two cross supports at the spare tire mount. But this base model truck doesn't have any spare tire at all! Should there be one?

 

Ill generalize to save time:

Anyone roughly south of Pennsylvania = Whoa that's crazy rust man stay away, avoid at all cost!...

Anyone north of Pennsylvania = Meh, that isn't bad at all just wire brush it and re coat, its normal..

Obviously rust is never good and any sane person would try to avoid it, period. That being said, for some of us its really a part of life beyond a brand new car, unless your lucky or absolutely anal about cleaning from day 1... It's what you can live with and feel okay about that matters. You can do plenty to help clean it up and slow it down as others have suggested. I am sure you would get many good years out of this with a little effort and upkeep.

 

take it to the dealer now and get it inspected. be dumb not too have it checked before buying. wouldn't be surprised if they find a hole up by the cat.

 

Poke around under there with a screwdriver to make sure that it's just surface rust. For the price and model, I would look elsewhere online to buy one in a non salt belt state and make a trip to drive it home. Yes, you will spend more but the end costs and worry will offset by the time you repair this one. I would not even recommend driving this one until you replace the control arms. The CA's look to be rusted through and would not be safe to drive on.

 

hahah so true. Id love to have all those SoCal peeps spend a winter in Maine

 

This ^ I wouldnt touch that truck UNLESS the dealer put in writing the frame can be replaced under warranty.

 

$11K for a rusty 5 lug? I don't think so.

 

Yeah cause that sounds like a realistic plan.