TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME NEED REPLACEMENT 2003 RECALL

Lots of Letters got thrown out unopened People thinking it was some sort of sales promotion

 

The "coating" saved me. I was one of the lucky ones they accepted last year for the extended warranty. 2002 model

 

Holy shit, you can see through the frame. This very issue is one of the reasons I eventually sold my 1st gen, it was near spotless, just didn't want to deal with frame issues. I've noticed the 1st gen is a boxed hollow frame for a good portion of it where water and salt can collect.

Newer trucks seem to be L shaped open frames in the 3rd gen and possibly 2nd (haven't been under one though).

 

I've heard the coating can lock the moisture in and rust from the inside out. Fluid Film is supposed to work pretty well.
Just my.02.

 

I'd be very surprised if there is still warranty time left on an '03. That frame is not safe.

 

The truck is ready to be crushed; don't buy it.

 

To know if that taco is a candidate(doesn't mean Toyota will) just to know if it's possible, you'll need the VIN and plug that into the Toyota site and see if they recorded the undercoating treatment and also look for the date under 'first date in service' or something like that see if that date is newer than 15 years old to the day. If both of those checkout, it would at least complete those two requirements and then the dealer will inspect the undercarriage

 

Thanks for the input guys.

 

It would have to be a very late 2003 production/sale vehicle to still qualify, but it’s possible. My ‘03’s in service date is late November 2003, and is still covered for a few more weeks. Why didn't the owner check this out? He might have had a new frame by now.

 

He took it in and they undercoated it and replaced spare tire carrier of something along those lines..........since dealer undercoated and it still rusted I am hoping dealer will do something. Thoughts? In service date was July 03.

 

Game over. They aren't going to do anything now.

 

The undercoating had to take place by the deadline set for the state in which the vehicle resided, and has long past. My date was around 12/31/2011 IIRC. Anything after that does not count, which would explain why the dealer did not replace the frame when they did the undercoating or spare tire hanger recall. So it would appear that this vehicle had no extended warranty. But there is an exception. All Tacomas are covered by the warranty no matter where they reside, but undercoating was required for those in designated cold climate states. All this is moot if the vehicle has aged out of the 15 coverage period.

This one would be a definite pass unless one could buy it on the cheap side, or one needs the parts.

 

$5500 is what he is asking for an 03 dc with 170k garage kept interior is mint exterior is 9 out of 10. I'm floored Toyota didn't replace the frame and more floored owner didn't notice hole before it was too late. What would u guys pay roughly?

 

Depends if you can Fabricate enough to repair or build a new frame.

Even so I would deduct at least $3,000.00

 

I guess it depends on what you plan to do with it. The dealer will replace the frame for you for somewhere north of $10k. I don't think it's a $15k truck. Pay half what he's asking, tow it home, and part it out?

 

Toyota will only replace the frame if you take it to them. Previous owner obviously never took it to them.

In all honestly, $5,500 isn't that unfair of a price. You can get a new frame for somewhere around $3000 (iirc), and assuming you do the work yourself, and add another couple grand for other random stuff that is inevitably rusted/worn out too, that puts you at $10,500 ish. I've seen trucks with intact frames in decent condition easily go for $15k.

So, if you're up for a project, this would be it. It would very likely be like near new condition when you're done with the swap.

But if you want something you can drive daily, let one of the other vultures here pick it up instead.

That said, offer him $3500 or $4k and see what he does.

 

Thank you for the input everyone^^we’re on the same page, I didn’t fall over when he said $5500. Is it only the rear section of the frames that rust out or is there a concern for rust throughout the frame?

 

Basically the parts of the frame that are boxed end up rusting from the inside out, but it seems like the spring hanger is where most people get it the worst.

 

Just want to point somethings out.

I have a 2004 that is about to go through frame recall.
The truck was purchased in 05 at a dealer in washington state, spent two years there and came to hawaii.
The truck never had fluid film applied.
I have been approved. What everyone is saying is basically true,

 

I am watching this thread with interest. How can we check to see if the dealer recorded the undercoating?