What a Buyback Looks Like - 1999 PreRunner

Thought I'd post these pics of the frame rust through on my 1999 PreRunner that Toyota bought back from me. As you can see the suspension shackle collapsed up into the frame. I had been keeping an eye on the rust, every once in a while getting under there and tapping it and it seemed to be holding up until this last year when it suddenly did this on the driver's side a couple of weeks ago when I was pulling into work. The last photo is the good one on the passenger side. Toyota was good about the buyback, giving me $9500.00 for a 1999 PreRunner 4 cylinder standard cab with few options on it (manual windows) and 144K miles. I had to dicker with them a bit and get them to use the proper KBB price but I am satisfied. I also have no complaints about the truck. It was good to me. The most expensive repair I had in 10 years was a steering rack replacement. Other than that, oil changes, batteries, and a couple of starters and an alternator. I put the money toward a 2014 4x4 Access Cab TRD Sport in Pyrite Mica that I brought home last Friday.

 

These Tacoma frames sure ended up being a disaster for Dana Corp. Glad to hear nothing catastrophic happened to your frame when you were on the freeway or anything. Just last week my friend had a huge section of the frame on his Chevy Colorado crumble when getting ready to tow a boat. The frame literally snapped above the rear wheels. 2 days of work with a new frame section and he had it in good shape again but no more Colorados in his future.

 

It is a shame, because Dana had a good name back in the day. As much as anything I think it's the lack of quality steel in this country anymore. I shave with Japanese blades and haven't found anything to compare.

 

I am so glad I live in California and my frame doesnt have a hint of rust on it. Must be why Toyotas out west here that dont see snow regularly go for 800-1000 over book

 

9 years of ownership in the desert out of 11 total and my frame looks very good compared to some of the rusty ones peeps have posted pictures of. I figure one day, I'll strip it down and re-coat it or swap everything to a new frame. I'm way too attached to my 1st Gen.