Wish me luck...frame replacement at 60k

Wepl wish me luck everyone. I am taking my new to me 2008 regular cab in for frame inspection. I found a hole this morning, measures out roughly 12 x 15 mm. Amazing how rusty it is with only 63,000 miles. All of the welds look like s*** and where they sandwiched layers is even worse. I was pulling off huge chunks of flaky rust.

 

Have you checked to see when your date of 1st use was?

 

Yeah, January 14, 2008 so already within time limits. I'm leaving in 30 minutes for the dealer.

 

You're good to go then. You qualify for a new frame.

 

Just went to the dealer for inspection. Tech thought it was a factory hole and said pass. I pointed it out and then he said fail. However, he had already put it in as pass in the computer. So now I have to get it approved by a regional rep?

 

WOW! That's BS. Sounds like they don't really want to do the frame swap and aren't very experienced at it. Sounds like you need to travel to a different dealer.

 

Try a different dealer. That sounds like their issue, not yours

 

Ask on TW for recommended dealers in your area. From what I've seen on here, some dealers don't want to be bothered with frame swaps, and some dealers welcome the job, have 2 guys that do them all, and are happy to take care of the customer.

 

This is the second dealer I've tried. First didnt know anything about it and wouldn't even look. This one seemed enthusiastic to get the work, but seems the tech might have effed this one up. I'll wait a few days to see what happens.

 

Ok wait a minute... need a little clarification here. Let’s be blunt, I’m in Ohio and drive on the roads that get some of the harshest treatments and my frame shows it. Dealership inspected in January and passed and did spray. Come summer time I crawl under to do oil change and it’s bad. Almost like the treatment accelerated the problem. Can I still have it inspected again? Believe bought the truck 4/08. Any thoughts? Otherwise I’m was planning on doing as much work on it as I can before winter. Thanks for any input.

 

That looks pretty bad, but you need to find a 10mm hole. Look at the inside of the frame near the catalytic convertors. This is mine. When I 1st looked at it, it was just a bubbled up spot. I took a hammer and a punch and started lightly tapping it and the rusty metal just started flaking away. Don't make it look like you punched a hole. Just flake away compromised metal.



Make sure you confirm your date of 1st use.

 

Ugh, what a dummy. I mean , its kinda unreal the stupidity we see on a daily basis from the dealer at times.

 

I’ll check it again in that area but if I’ve already had it inspected am I already “closed out” or can I have it inspected again assuming I can prove usage date? If there’s even a remote possibility I may be calling.

 

You can definitely have it inspected again. I don't think there's a limit to how many times you can have it inspected, but I'm sure if you went into the dealer every 2 weeks asking for a frame inspection, they would say, "Come on, man. You were just here". When I went for my frame inspection, I wanted to make damn sure I had a case. That's why I flaked the metal away before I went and took a pic with a 12mm wrench. Big surprise, I couldn't find my 10mm wrench.

 

Alright, change of plans for the weekend. I’ll post any updates.

 

I can sort of understand it. The hole was round because I had stuck a small drift through the rust and it got stuck.

 

So, on that big nasty place to the left of the round hole, can you lightly tap the metal away and see if a giant hole appears? If so, there will be no question about it.

 

It's pretty solid there, but I doubt it will be for long. I had an awkward angle, but was hitting it with a 24 oz ball pein and nothing.

 

Not sure where you’re from but my dealership jumped all over the chance to replace my frame. They did a awesome job didn’t cost me a single penny out of pocket except for gas in the loaner. Best part is they had it done in three days. When i got it back the only thing that wasn’t working was my backup camera and my aftermarket heated seats witch turned out they never put the positive wire back on the battery and they camera wire tap got bumped out of the fuse panel. Good luck with yours

 

F!!!! S!!!!! Damnit... is that big enough