Yet another different Toyota problem – bad frames on Tacomas again
 

You may be aware of the bad frame issue with 1995-2000 Tacomas. Well, you think that they would have addressed the issue, but the frame on my 2002 rotted out. Called Toyota, brought it to a dealer, and rather than the old deal for the prior frame issue (150% of excellent Blue Book, no matter what the condition) toward a new one THEY REPLACED THE FRAME!!! So, new brake lines, new pretty much everything attached to the frame – leaf springs, all bolts, you name it they did it. I talked to the service manager about it, and he told me that Toyota gives them 60 hours to do it, plus materials. He told me that he had billed them up to 11k for one, but when I got mine back he said I was the new high score – close to 12k. Blue Book value excellent = 10.5k. When I 1st realized the problem, I tried to work Toyota for a deal on a new one but they wouldn’t entertain any discussion.

Here is my dilemma: part of me wants a new one (9 years 120k on this repaired one) but now, with the new frame, should I keep this one (it feels tight as a new one now)? Should I expect another 6 years 100k? The new frame is rust proofed to death. Frame rot is the #1 cause of death to old Toy’s. Mechanically it is fine – who has ever heard of a Toy motor going? I have changed oil every 3k. Any input from mechanics out there??

And lastly, if you own a 2002 Tacoma better take a look at your frame! The service manager had me wait for 10 days to get to me because I was 3rd in line.

if it is your beach ride... keep it..
unless they give you a chit ton toward trade in...
just my 2 cents..
I don't know what the advantage is for them to do the repair, versus the buy back, but their beancounters must figure it is better for the corporation...
guys in the shop gotta love it too.. job security.

Tuna,
If you decide to get rid of it, let me know. I'm in the market for an old Tacoma as a rolling crib / beach buggy.

Did you recieve the recal letters from Toyota yet? I have been sitting on mine for about 6 months now waiting for as muach rot and rust to set in as possible. Same deal offered as the 1995 - 2000 deal. HOPING I qualify for the 150% buy back... :soon:

I have a good amount of experience with Tacoma's, I run a parts store which exclusivly used Tacoma's (and previously the older toy pu) for over 20 years as delivery vehicles. Many of our trucks have high milage (300k is not uncommon) and they have all been driven hard. Longevity is not an issue with the drivetrain. The 22R and 22RE (2.4 4cyl) are some of the longest lasting motors every made.

The 150% was nice while it lasted though..

Fill that frame with rock salt :hihi:
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how did you know your truck had excessive rust? doesn't every vehicle on the road get rusted out over a period of time? i wonder if GM has policy on that?

The 95-2000 deal was also buy back OR fix. I got lucky and got the buy back but keep in mind the frame was actually SPLIT and rotten through in other spots. I also know the truck sat for over a year before I purchased it too.
I say they did the work so just run the pee outta it and get your $ worth. Another 6 years and 100,000? chances are if you took care of it that wont be a problem.

thats my 2 cents.
my pickup had just under 200K and still running strong. the frame was the only major problem.
Before that I had a corolla with over 200K and after it was sold it was on the road for another couple yeard that I know of (never any major problems). Hubby has a 99 4 runner thats been through a LOT of VT salt and on the beach with no rotted frame or body, almost 160K and not much more than normal wear and tear routine maintenance done to it. No major problems. sister in law bought a 97 4 runner about 4 years ago for dirt cheap because it needed a head gasket and had abot 180k...new head gasket and its still running strong today. these are just my experiences so take them for what you will. My auto expieriences with every so called domestic vehichle all ended badly. No longevity and a lot of money wasted on repairs. Sorry all who believe in american made but half arent truly american made anyway and in my experience they just dont last.

Had an older PU w/22R motor. Drove it hard and it never once disappointed me--fair amount of beach duty, sold it w/90,000 miles. It was kicking 3 yrs later. Had been rolled over. Driver and passenger were okay. They got it righted w/the help of a wrecker and apparently went on their way.

I still regret selling that truck. Damn, I'm getting nostalgic thinking about it.

ab

Yeah, it lives on the beach but any truck I have would, and no, I have not received any recall letter. Topwater, thanks for the 411; my last toy went for 14 years and 200k+ and I bought this one right after 9/11 because the prices were down and I figured it was time. It went for another 3 years & 50k before the frame rotted out on that one. This one has a 6 and runs like a top, never had any mechanical problems with it (jinx). Johnny, I’m leaning toward hanging on to it, and if I wasn’t I wouldn’t want to sell it to anyone I know. If they had given me the 150% I’d be in a new rig right now, but in thinking about it, Toyota must be billing the company that made the frame for all of this work – that is the only thing that makes any sense. I mean, how do you pour 12k into a truck worth 10.5k at best?

Tlap, that may be a good move, because I’ve been told that they weld some. But mine was a piece of swiss cheese by the time I brought it in. Every time I’d shift the bed would bump the cab.

The frame rotted through in the matter of 2-3 months. I am vigilant washing it off, and I 1st noticed the rot in August. I was walking up from the low tide line and saw something hanging off under the truck. A foot of the bottom rail of the frame had popped off and I could see the seams everywhere beginning to expand. I get under it every time I bring it in for an oil change and look under, so it was sudden.

I wonder how much safety is at issue with a frame that is on it's way out but not quite gone enough. I would think for the amount of money they charge for a new vehicle a person should expect items like the frame and brake lines and power steering rack (lines) to last for at least 20 years. I just replaced all the brake lines on my 97 Explorer and my power steering rack (rotten lines) which in turn lead to new transmission cooling lines along with the shocks, front torsion bar bolts (one went after 6 years due to rot). I wish they would build a vehicle that would not rot out from under you. At least the fuel lines are stainless steel why not the other lines, especially brakes and steering (I forgot those they went about 3 years ago). And I have never taken this on the beach.

GEEEE I wonder if has anything to do with running the lowtide line for miles on end:biglaugh:.NAAAAAH!!!!!. Splish -Spash takin a bath:rotf2::uhuh:.I've been looking at them and new 4-runners.

Im glad I bought a Dodge

Sorry to hear about your truck but its nothing new. The prob has migrated over to the 1st gen tundras also. You should see the pile of new frames behind my dealers shop.

Me, I would keep the truck.

If you havent seen this web site check tundrasolutions.com a very good resource for all toyo vehicles

Mike, your truck is more submarine than truck.

Bobs, what do ya think? Keep or not keep, and why.

I would keep it.
It's got good mojo.
Smells like fresh littlenecks.:jump1:
Not really costing you anything.
It would be like putting down a loyal dog.
Besides you are recognized more for your shorts than your ride.
So your entourage would still find you.:gh:


I'm convinced that after hosing down the truck, within a day or two you gotta get it out on the highway to air dry the underneath. Got 300K on the Ram and the frame is still excellent. Replaced most everything else though but the frame is still fine.

cheap jap steel is your problem.

Heard today that now the accelerator pedals stick and they stopped importing them to the US and halted production. They interviewed someone in the know and there is no fix yet, they are in re-design ...I bet it is a madhouse in that office these days.

By US :devil2:

Hold On Sandman... the ones with Frame issues are US made..same with the "sudden acceleration" issues.. anything with a VIN beginning with a J, signafying made in Japan, is not affected...
the original Frames were made by Dana, the auto parts manufacturer...to Toyota specs, which is what proved to be faulty, but nonetheless, were US made...
the accelarator solution they are pushing now, is cutting a 1/4 inch of the bottom of the pedal.. but from the people I know with the issue...and seeing it happen firsthand... that is not going to resolve it.

Actually I do agree tho...buy US...even being that most US brands are nowhere near 100% US made...just take a half hour and walk thru the car lots and read the build sheets..... :rolleyes:

but...what do I know... I'm a Ford man....

Buy US :rotf2::rotf2::rotf2:
You must be nuts !
The Dana co. (an American company) built the frames that are the problem !

Well Mike,you got a new frame,you OWN it,insurance costs less,excise costs less,you like it,it's setup the way you want it,the engine and drive train are fine.:uhuh:My 250 is a 96 and is rusting,the tranny slips in overdrive[just shut it off].New ball joints,power steering lines,rear spring brackets,shock mountings,tires.120,000 miles.Crap, I think half are sand miles.I own it[since 99] for the same reasons as above.My 91 wrangler,the same 112,000 on it and OWN it.Insurance on both is $707.The only reason for thinking about a new vehicle is taking Roadtrips to places and not worry about that more than possible,chitty chitty,bang bang,sput sput dead somewhere[hello AAA!!].If you buy new keep the Taco and use it for the beach and the new ride for the trips.Drive the Taco till it blows up.Think of Stevie Kean driving that 4 runner with all that stuff hanging off it and it stills tickin.With the beach driving b/s everywhere including the birds,turtles,seals,erosion,etc.I'd be looking at that boat in the yard and think long and hard about towing it down to the Pamet,Wellfleet,Eastham,Dennis ramps with the Taco and blow off the friggin beach for the most part.I'm doing it this year.Along with the bike for the ditch[which I did 27yrs ago].With the death of Steve last fall that put the world into perspective for me.The "mosquito fleet" is going to sea.The Senior Angler is ready for the change also.JUST A THOUGHT[rant over]:gh::jump1::rotf2::wall:

sure glad I own a chevy, makes me think twice about pulling a toyota out thats stuck on the beach, give it a little tug from a real truck and you might only have half of it on the other end of the strap lol.

I'm getting more and more partial to holding on to it. After driving it for a couple of days it pretty much feels like new. The only steel that was bad was the frame, the bed and cap are still clean. I'm bringing it over for an oil change and inspection today so I'll be able to poke my head under it and get a real good look. The fact that I wouldn't have payments is huge too -

I'd keep it. Having a car that's paid for is a nice feeling
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I have nothing against Toyota's...I just wanted to cause trouble and thought I would toss the match and run.:devil2:

I owned two land cruisers (before they were luxury-ized) and use them exclusively for fishing. Rust was an issue but you could not kill them. Rolled one 3X and replaced windows, used it for 5 years on the rock and sold it for more than I paid for it. I was pleased.

But as I got older, I seem to be turning into my farther...I buy American. Yes I know a lot of parts are made overseas but I still buy American for other reasons. Quality has improved immensely over the years and that is no longer an issue IMO. Yes labor is cheaper in Asia, the fact is in Asia factory workers work long hours for 35 cents and a bowl of rice while our government and labor unions insist we provide health coverage, a good wage and retirement benies. It simply costs more to build in the US with these rules. I understand people wanting to buy things cheap...ie walmart and Sams club culture but there are repercussions...that's part of the reason we have 11+% real unemployment (not to mention local tackle shops going BK).
Capital flows to where it is most cost effective to make things to feed this culture of wanting it cheap. This is why American can not compete on labor. The fix is for the government to provide incentives to build stuff here, this means allowing investors taking the investment risk to make (and keep) good (and big) profits. As long as we have a socialists mentality at the helm, it will not change. Hope all you want, america can not compete, we shot ourselves in the foot.

Back on topic...I would keep the vehicle...there is a lot to be said for a vehicle that is free and clear!

Just got back after looking at it from under a lift, and I'd be nuts to sell this - there is no way I'd get what it was worth. New frame, brake lines, E brakes & lines, clamps (they re-used the bushings though). The only rust on it now is the ding on the driver's door I got about a month after I bought it and the rear bumper.

Thanks for all of the input!

Now that all that stuff is new you should spay the crap out of it.Couple of choices,Boeshield T-9 spray waterproof lube or chainsaw oil[stickey] mixed with thinner and sprayed with a pump sprayer up inside the frame,springs,brackets,bolts,brakelines,fuelines.: uhuh:

I think ya made a good call Mike.. and if they didn't soak it down with some kind of rustproof.. clean it up good,. get some kinda rust proof paint on there, and then take bob's tip, and oil spray it a couple times a year, if so inclined.. truck will last a good long time I am sure..

and bob... ya had lots of good advise and observations on this thread...both on and off topic.. :claps: :btu:

[QUOTE=Mr. Sandman;742846] As long as we have a socialists mentality at the helm, it will not change.QUOTE]

I guess no manufacturing jobs were outsourced to other countries from 2000 - 2008? You have got to be kidding. It is about maximixing shareholders' profits and the compensation of the CEOs who run these companies not about ideologies.

HAD ONE SPLIT IN HALF ON MY LIFT TWO WEEK AGO GUY GOT
$ 10400.00 FOR IT. FROM TOYOTA