When to dump a truck?

So I've owned my Taco for around 6 years now. Paid off, 210k miles, A/C went out and I'm now wondering when I should consider dumping it.

I also get the urge every now and then for a full size, maybe a Tundra, Ram or a F150.

Taco is a 3rd Vehicle at this time.

My biggest issue however is frame rust.

Two years ago my rails where very clean. I took very good care of the frame fails due to the noterity of Tacoma Rust issues. Whelp, true to fork, I had the recall work done, they spray rust attracting shit on my truck now I have orange rails.

Not bad by Midwest standards, but I need to do something, just not sure what.


On the Gas Sipper Stockers for commuter duty.

My 33x12.5 R17 wheels

 

Best option financially? Hit the rust with a wire brush and some rustoelum and keep on driving.
If that sounds worse than dropping 35k+ on a new truck then by all means go for it.

 

What about the frame replacement program?

 

You can do heck of a lot of repairs to your Tacoma, for a fraction of the $35-$40,000 price (probably more) of a new truck.

Your Tacoma looks great too me!!

 

So glad I left Wisconsin winters!!!

 

Never said anything about new.

But if I sold this one for $10k and got another for $20k...

 

But I've always been told that will speed it up. Wire wheels embed soft metal from the wheel, rustoleum will just chip and trap moisture between the paint and fresh layer of bare metal.

So many products and options, but I've never seen a definitive answer. POR15, Eastwoods list of products, etc. And if you can't get all of it, inside, upper areas, etc.. It's just going to keep spreading and rotting.

 

Sounds like the seven year itch... The hottie at the lot is calling, and the bird in hand is starting to show her age. I am guilty (so not the kettle calling the pot black here), but I doubt the new what ever will be as nice in the end...

Also, why give up a truck you KNOW the history of for a used one that you don't???

 

That’s what I would do!

 

Mine is every 3-4 years, mine is coming up and I’m trying to ignore it, I know I will regret it if I sold it.

 

If you decide to go this route, consider buying a used Tacoma is a mild winter state. No road salts. Once you get it home, you can apply whatever anti-rust compound you choose. I'm assuming these products really help.

 

I traded my '01 for an '00 XJ and a few hundred bucks, so hopefully I'll have about $3000-3500 out of it. It had a rusty frame (I missed the cutoff to get it inspected cuz I was living in OR at the time) and 140k on it... paid $12500 for it 15 years ago.

I paid $17k out the door for my '11. It has almost as many miles as the old one, but it's in ridiculously good shape mechanically and cosmetically. The frame is incredibly clean, and I'm planning to undercoat it this summer to hopefully keep it that way.

I could've fixed a lot of stuff with that extra $14k. But a lot changes in 15 years since I bought the old truck, too, and now I have 2 kids, and a 2-door extended cab was no fun. In my case I don't regret it... I went off-road crazy with the '01 years ago, and while it was still fun to drive on the road, it wasn't the most practical and there were a lot of compromises. Plus I got the access cab, mo' powah, and a nice clean sheet I can keep nice, rather than fawking it up like drunk 20-something me did.

I'd be on the fence in your case. $10k more to get a nicer, newer truck wouldn't be too bad. I can't swear to the '11+ frames being great, but mine came from NoVA and had service records in upstate NY and still looks great, so I can't help but think it's at least got more hope if I keep it coated, and you could get into a '12-15 for that money. OTOH if you can do the work yourself, paid off is nice, and you could fix up a lot of shortcomings for a few grand.

 

That goes without say! I'd grab something from Texas or AZ as I'm out there frequently. This Truck was originally California and made it out to Kentucky before ending up in my grimmy paws.

I would not do another Tacoma, I don't feel like there have been any significant changes since the Gen 2 launched that would make it worth a change up.

 

Sorry. l misunderstood what you said. The only good thing is that you know the history of your Tacoma and what it probably needs. A used vehicle can be such an unknown. Can be great or a pain in the ass.
l love buying vehicles. I have to fight the urge to always buy something else when l get the feeling. It must be the desire for something new and different .

It's a tough call..A lot of factors kick in. l had an F-150 prior to my Tacoma, and absolutely loved it!!!

 

Keep the taco. you could replace the frame for a lot less then a new truck. Por 15 works great on this application.

 

Do this and your truck will last for many years. Thick epoxy paint. This is my 2012.

 

all depends on your priorities and finances everybodies are different

 

Hit your frame, existing surface rust and all, with fluid film. Use the nozzle to get inside the crevices. FF will cover the existing surface rust and isolate the frame's metal from the oxygen/water/salt that wants to return it to FeO2 (rust). Do this every fall. Note - FF is tenacious. If you later decide to paint you'll want to use some degreaser to remove it.

 

Drive it till its dead. But what i know i have owned a 93 since new. 410k still have it.
Thinking about restoring it. Too many memories to let her go.

 

EASTWOOD!

I had a 1997 4runner with rust in Wisconsin. I convinced someone to sandblast it, body on. Wire wheeled the rest then hand painted several layers of Eastwood’s two stage epoxy. Excellent product. Frame was back to new, but the trick in the Midwest is washing the undercarriage every single week in the winter.