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Toyota Tacoma 2004 and Earlier Frame Problem

1348 messages,  Last post on Apr 25, 2013 at 10:23 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Tacoma, Toyota 4Runner, Car Safety, Auto Body, Car Warranties, Truck

Messages Page 19 of 136

#177 of 1348 Re: 2003 or 2004 Tacoma rust problem? [pazman3] by j81

May 15, 2008 (1:10 pm)

Replying to: pazman3 (May 13, 2008 8:13 pm)
I still keep in touch with the Toyota Techs I worked with, One told me the recall was revised and now includes 2001-2004. I personally don't know If there is any truth to it. I think it should, because I've personally seen the later models pretty bad. To be honest, I've seen some 2005 Tacomas have a pretty good bit of surface rust underneath, or at least more than I would be happy to see if It were my truck.

#178 of 1348 I don't know by rachel518

May 15, 2008 (7:26 pm)

I got my offer in the mail - $11,300 for my poor rusty and sad '98 regular cab.
 
It will be very sad to have to leave it there and not know where it''ll end up. Feel pretty attached to the truck - it was my first one ever and I've loved bouncing around in it for the last three years.
So I expect the Transfer Agent to call me next week to set up a time. I wonder if I could meet them at any dealership, particularly the one I'll be buying my new vehicle from? They haven't offered me a rental, so I feel like I have to have some strategic plan. I like smooth transactions without having to put forth too much effort
 
I've almost given up on finding another Tacoma - they are getting pretty few and far between around here. And I'm not all about paying what they're asking. I guess I don't need another that bad, and the Highlander is looking pretty nice right about now.

#179 of 1348 ? by totouchantler

May 16, 2008 (10:02 am)

Replying to: rachel518 (May 15, 2008 7:26 pm)
I have an appt. to bring my 99 regular cab 4x4 in for the rust check. I live in Central New York and drive two hours a day on salty roads...truck has 185,000 miles on it. My frame has some holes in it lots by the rear passenger...and some on the bottom plate right under the passenger side door. What should I have with me when I bring my truck in? I know it needs to be registered.....but what other important things should I know? Also.....what is the 'rust rot test'.....how is it performed??

#180 of 1348 Re: ? [totouchantler] by kowitz

May 16, 2008 (2:17 pm)

Replying to: totouchantler (May 16, 2008 10:02 am)
Clean out the truck before you go in. Your truck is going to fail and they won't give it back to you.
 
The test initial puts it up on a lift and they do a visual inspection. If there are visible holes in the frame it fails. If there weren't visible holes, they'd hit it with a hammer and see if they can make a few holes, but they won't bother if you already have visible holes.
 
Once they verify that, they will likely bring you out to the truck to show you, then explain the buyout process. You *should* get a rental car paid for by the dealership that you can use for 30 days.
 
You'd need to have your registration for them to get the forms started for the buyout process. Also, make sure you update their records if your address or phone number has changed. They'll do the paperwork and submit it.
 
Within a few days, you'll get a call from the company doing the buyout process. For me, they verified the buyout amount and then overnighted the paper work I had to review and sign. It basically says you agree to accept $x.xx for the truck. The offer for my '98 Tacoma with 75,000 miles on it was about $12,500. You sign the form and then make a copy of your title and either fax those two back, or return it in the overnight envelope they provide.
 
After that, you've accepted the buyout. You wait for the company to send the check to the dealership. Then you go to the dealership and they hand it over. I'm still waiting on that step.
 
Good luck.

#181 of 1348 NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND by tmiller159

May 16, 2008 (6:55 pm)

Replying to: sparkland (May 13, 2008 8:47 pm)
I want to know what company made those frames? I want to know where they were made? I want to know if they are ISO9000 certified? I want to know if I can get their certification revoked for not meeting quality standards and what corrective action they are taking per their ISO9000 certification procedures to correct this. I want to know if I can get someone fired over this!! I would lose my job if I pulled this on my customers. This tragic loss of our beloved Tacoma's should not go unavenged!!
Tom "I'm pissed as hell" Miller

#182 of 1348 Re: ? [kowitz] by hockeyeast

May 17, 2008 (3:57 pm)

Replying to: kowitz (May 16, 2008 2:17 pm)
Did my turnover today at 11:30. hated to see the truck go . I received 8760.00 and some change for my 96 std bed, sx model. The whole process took about a month from inspection to getting the check. I now have a 2006 nissan frontier that's loaded. I wanted a 2008 tacoma, but they are hard to come by. Most dealers in my area are getting msrp for them. The frontier was a parts manager truck with 15,000 miles. Soooooooo, looks like I will have this truck for at least 4 yrs. I think I will like it. Now, lets hope my wifes 96 RAV lasts awhile longer. Unless.............lol....rusted frame again!!!! Hope not!

#183 of 1348 Tacoma buy back by mrbill1957

May 17, 2008 (5:20 pm)

What I find interesting/puzzling about this whole buy back, is nobody has reported that Toyota hasn't chosen the other option of repairing the truck. So many people have said their truck is in great condition (except for the frame) so I wonder why they don't replace frames on the trucks with high buy-back prices? I would think the cost of a frame and installation would be alot cheaper.
 
I haven't seen any posts of first year Tacomas having rotted frames. I have an 95 Tacoma, I live in Wisconsin where the roads are coated with salt in the winter. I crawled under the truck and checked it from front to back, no rust thru so far. I even tapped on any area that had a little surface rust, and everything sounded solid. I was kind of hoping there was holes.
 
I still have the brochure for the 95's. A statement in there says:
 
"Tacoma's tough anti-corrosive steel frame resists rusting"
 
I find it strange that they may have not followed thru with that design on later models?
 
Mrbill

#184 of 1348 Re: Tacoma buy back [mrbill1957] by KCRam@Edmunds HOST

May 17, 2008 (6:40 pm)

Replying to: mrbill1957 (May 17, 2008 5:20 pm)
You really can't replace just the frame... that's the equivalent of replacing someone's skeleton, but keeping all the original skin, organs, muscles, etc. - just doesn't work that way. As these trucks are body-on-frame design instead of unibody, you would have to completely disassemble the truck, then reassemble it onto a new frame - that would take longer than just building a new truck in a factory. And repairing a rusted frame requires just as much time, since the unrepaired portions would have to be similarly treated to prevent the same problems from occurring again.
 
It's far less expensive for Toyota to buy the trucks back and recycle them.
 
kcram - Pickups Host

#185 of 1348 Re: Tacoma buy back [kcram] by bsully32

May 19, 2008 (3:38 pm)

Replying to: KCRam@Edmunds (May 17, 2008 6:40 pm)
I am in the process of getting the buy back . I have noticed several people saying how long it takes. I would guess to imagine it should take roughly 30 days. Can someone answer this for me? I hadnt received my title for my Taco yet. So i called the bank and explained to them I never received the title. They tell me that i have a late fee which occured over 5 yrs i owned my truck. They cant tell me what month out of 60 was late becuase i advised them i have all my receipts, What ever. Ok now could i just let toyota deal with it and they take out of the amount they owe me or do i have to pay it? I guess it would be like if i had a loan out on it right? let me know thanks and good luck to all with the process.

#186 of 1348 RUST HOLES by redneck80

May 19, 2008 (4:04 pm)

I HAVE A 1998 TACOMA WITH 140,000 MILES ON IT AND WENT THRU AN INSPECTION AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP A FEW WEEKS AGO. THEY HIT ON THE FRAME FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND SAID IT WAS FINE. SO I BROUGHT IT BACK HOME AND I WENT OVER THE FRAME AND FOUND A HOLE UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE FRAME. PLUS ONE WAS ABOVE THE SHACKLES. TOYOTA TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A SECOND DEALERSHIP FOR A SECOND OPINION. MY QUESTION IS DOES THE RUST HOLE HAVE TO BE THRU BOTH SIDES OF THE FRAME,CAUSE MINE IS THRU ONE SIDE AND IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A 50 CENT PIECE. DO YOU THINK IT WILL PASS OR FAIL? REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. THANKS

Messages Page 19 of 136

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