What progress did Toyota make on Gen 2 cycle to prevent future frame rust damage?

I saw the pictures and read the comments on frame rust. Was there any model year when Toyota make changes in factory processes that proved more successful, based on owner reports, maybe different frame material, boxing, undercoating? Was premature frame rust in salted road areas a continued problem over the entire Gen 2 cycle? Is there a significant difference in frames on Gen 3?

I had an 01 Silverado for 14 years, used on a farm in VA, drove it all winter on salted roads. Some rusting occurred on the brake lines, which I treated with grease as a preventative, and the chrome rear bumper had some rust on the back side, but still looked good. This was a HD 3/4 Duramax that was worked hard. I never thought about the frame as I didn't see any rust.

I had a new Tacoma in 1995, but didn't keep it long, so I never saw this problem. Now that I'm in the market for a Tacoma, since I live in town, frame rust is my first issue. It's hard to understand how this is such a major detraction, with the high resale value and praise these trucks get. Is this in the past with newer trucks?

 

I will give chevy one thing.... i also had an 01 2500HD... they had a gnarly frame coating on there that made it to where the was ZERO rust.... but that was about the only thing good about that POS truck.

As far as the taco, it is definitely a case by case basis, if you live in the rust belt, but do your due diligence with a good undercoating, then you will have no issues.

 

Toyota sued Dana Corp in 2011 for $25 million for the badly coated frames. There are rumors the 2012+ frames may be coated better, but the truth is only time will tell. With the 3rd gens, again time will tell.

 

I was satisfied with my Chevy HD. The Tacoma frame rust issue leads me to check where a truck lived. Since commercial ads never show frame pictures and many rust belt trucks are bought at auction by dealers, it becomes a case of buyer beware and reduces the market size of viable options.

 

too bad Chevy didn't coat the rest of the truck

 

My 2000 frame was rusted out and bought back at 1 1/2 book - they changed the shape of the frame on my 2008 but they didn't bother to protect it so I got a new frame in 2017 - since they didn't bother to protect the 1st gen or the 2nd gen I wouldn't count on them doing anything different on the 3rd gen - they don't seem to learn even tho it costs them millions and millions - bottom line if you buy a Tacoma you best clean and coat the frame every year or just wait for them to buy it back or replace it and pray it doesn't fall apart and kill you in the mean time.

 

I think coating is only part of the problem. The real issue is the low carbon content of the cheap steel used in these frames. I don't think much has changed, I am constantly cleaning and treating rust on my '15 (using por 15, endless battle) I have come across body panels and frames from the 30's and 40's that have been left outside to rot for going on 100 years that have been in remarkable condition considering. They did not cheap out and use low carbon steel back then...