Well here we go. Guess I’m not invincible after all.

Got under the truck today to get ready and fluid film before winter and found a couple spots that worry me, including this one.


My truck is an 09 that I bought in 2015, and it had seen northeast Ohio winters up to that point, but looked pretty good (low miles) I’ve fluid filmed it every fall since then, thinking I was getting on top of this frame ordeal and preventing my truck from becoming the rust bucket they try to be.

well turns out there’s a couple mushy spots in the boxed sections with no holes and then there’s this hole, passenger side between the crossmember and exhaust hanger which opened up right quick with a few light hammer taps. Most of the rest of the frame looks ok cause of the fluid film, but I guess I didn’t do as good of a job in the boxed sections, or the 6 years head start the unseen rust had on me was just too much to fight.

called my local dealer who I have not much experience with (we moved a couple years ago), asked about an appointment for an inspection, he looked up my vin and said I didn’t qualify, which seems odd to me cause I’m within 12 years? Called a dealer an hour away I had good experience with before we moved and she said yep I qualify and I made an appointment, couple weeks from now.

some people say they convince their perforations to be bigger to qualify but that seems risky cause if they still refuse me then I’m a dumbass that fucked up his own frame intentionally. Got my fingers crossed for a new frame. Any thoughts on this hole? What have people done to rectify their own frames that Toyota doesn’t want to replace? Reweld sections? I love this truck and we’re on a bit of a tight budget these days.

 

I just had my 2008 frame replaced a month ago, so I'd think yours would be covered as well. I didn't see any holes but they apparently know where to look so I bet if you found that one there are others as well. Only downside is that my exhaust didn't enjoy being taken apart and put back together so I'll probably need a new exhaust to pass inspection next time around.

 

Either way, I don't think you "fucked up your own frame intentionally". It was already fucked up. If it was soft enough for a light hammer tap to break through, then that spot was not providing and structural integrity to the frame anyway. I'll be surprised if they don't fail it. Enjoy your new frame!

 

Definitely pick the dealer for this. Agree with Hony Badger that one who's done a ton of frame replacements is the better bet. Worth a bit of a drive I'd say for that experience.

 

How the hell come one dealer says you don't qualify, yet the next dealer, with the same vin, says you do. What kinda bs is going on with this? Especially if the dealer gains almost as much as the owner in this win situation.

 

Responses have me feeling hopeful, now just have to wait til the appt and go from there. Guess I’ll hold off fluid filming for now. Yeah I’m boggled one dealer said one thing and the other said another. Ive had good dealings with the one I’m getting the appt with though so that’s good, used to buy my filters and stuff there and they did my leaf spring recall. Service manager was a real nice guy, hope he’s still there.

 

I agree with finding a dealer who does a lot of frame replacements. I was looking for the replacement for my 2001 I sold because of the rusted frame that my local Toyota dealer wouldn't cover (should have tried another dealer) and drove a couple with replaced frames that were a mess, found a one owner 2008 that had a replaced frame that was great, I bought it.

 

I’ve also heard that some trucks just weren’t the same after new frame. Gotta do some legwork.

 

so say I fail the inspection and they say I need a new frame, but I’m not convinced this dealer has done many frames and I’d like to shop around, so to say. Does each dealer have to re-inspect or is one dealer saying it needs replaced usually good enough and I can just pick another dealer to do the work? Seems there’s enough dealers on different pages I’d worry the next dealer over may pass the frame.

 

Cool, thanks everyone

 

Well not that anyone was hanging on the edge of their seat about it but I did just get approved for a new frame, so hooray.

 

Hey Robert, I just saw your other post on my Woolwax thread. The dealerships make a ton of money on these and want your business. Where are you planning on going? Well, I'm sure whoever approved the frame replacement probably already kept your truck, as they deem them unsafe to drive. I've been through it, so happy to give some advice.

 

I’m in Ashtabula now, we moved out here to start a farm, but we lived in Cleveland heights for a number of years before the move. I used to go to Motorcars for my oil filters and recalls, had a good opinion of the service manager there at the time. After putting out a call I was advised by a member that Palmiero out in PA did good work for frames, so that’s where I’ll be going. its the same distance from me as Motorcars. My friend had his frame replaced on his 05 at Motorcars and talked about lots of new noises afterwards, he ended up trading in. Granted that was in the earlier days of the frame ordeal, they’ve probably gotten better now, but I figured if I had a voucher from another member for another dealer why risk it? good news is my truck is safe enough to drive for now so I’ve got it til they get the new frame delivered.

 

FWIW, the Toyota dealer in my small hometown in Southeastern Ohio (where my dad bought his 1980 Pickup (and 1967 Plymouth wagon before that) has gone through DOZENS of frames for Gen 1, Gen 2 Tacomas and Tundras over the last few years. They had stacks of crated frames behind the service shop. I don't think you'll have any trouble finding a service department with experience doing these.

 

In a really strange but similar Toyota dealer experience, m wifes Corolla has the recall on the passenger side airbag. Since typically she is the only one driving the car, it became less critical to get it repaired. For months we have gotten letters from Toyota and now the DOT wanting it fixed.

Called one dealer, and they had parts in stock, but kind of had an attitude and was the furthest away.

Called the nearest dealer where the car had been purchased, the service writer argued with my wife that the recall had already been accomplished. She then stated my wife did not know stating the car was bought used, to which my wife replied, it was bought new from your dealership. Not wanting to back down, the service writer would do nothing.

Called a third local dealership. They were over the top. Great experience from setting up the appointment, accomplishing that and another recall. Simply just knew their stuff and did a great job getting it done.

How a dealer can argue about applicability of a recall issue with the customer is crazy. My guess, they entered the wrong VIN and refused to accept they are wrong.