Toyota rust issues,

[peter lena 8,608]

just at my friends shop , couple of late model tundra's  up on lifts , for problems , frame / suspension , has a solid look to it , but desperately  needs some lubrication protection , every bend / hole mount area , heavy with rot , typical , to have gas tank drop from mounting spot , due to  metal strap , rot thru , they say ," you can almost hear the rot "  .  also under cab , seaming , is already  puffy with internal rot . tail gates , rotted . not that hard to prevent / stop . oily , Pete

[rmaynard 15,434]

I just missed the Toyota rot with my 2014 Tacoma. Dealers had racks of new frames behind the dealership just waiting for trucks to come in with rotten frames. Three years ago they had a voluntary service action where they dried the inside of my frame overnight, then treated it as a precaution.

[Brockport Bill 1,661]

i had a 2003 Toyota Tacoma  4 seat cab pick up, 4 wh drive,  built for off road - terrific truck, but had to go in for the rust frame inspection - but it was ok ---- it rode really harsh, stiff so around town, or over the road was not a smooth ride -- however, an earlier Toyota truck had really severe rust problems - - in the mid 70s the first major series of Toyota  trucks came from Japan with no beds and they were manufactured and installed here -- mostly in California -- the spec and durability were not built for winter salt in Northeast thus the beds became seriously rusted prematurely but not the cabs - therefore, it was common to see mid 70 era Toyota trucks ( named Hi Lux ) to be seen with cabs in good condition but beds looking horrible all rusted holes, fenders, wheel wells, seems, tail gates, etc . It really damaged the toyota reputation for quality for many years until they corrected problem in late 70s and 80s

[ZXT 2,401]

17 minutes ago, Brockport Bill said:

i had a 2003 Toyota Tacoma  4 seat cab pick up, 4 wh drive,  built for off road - terrific truck, but had to go in for the rust frame inspection - but it was ok ---- it rode really harsh, stiff so around town, or over the road was not a smooth ride -- however, an earlier Toyota truck had really severe rust problems - - in the mid 70s the first major series of Toyota  trucks came from Japan with no beds and they were manufactured and installed here -- mostly in California -- the spec and durability were not built for winter salt in Northeast thus the beds became seriously rusted prematurely but not the cabs - therefore, it was common to see mid 70 era Toyota trucks ( named Hi Lux ) to be seen with cabs in good condition but beds looking horrible all rusted holes, fenders, wheel wells, seems, tail gates, etc . It really damaged the toyota reputation for quality for many years until they corrected problem in late 70s and 80s

My '85 Toyota pickup frame doesn't have a speck of rust on it. Only place it has rust is the lower part of the windshield lip as Toyota used a terrible seals that held moisture and dirt and cause them to rot out. No rust on the bed either and the truck has been outside its entire life. Perks of living in Texas!

[Brockport Bill 1,661]

18 minutes ago, ZXT said:

My '85 Toyota pickup frame doesn't have a speck of rust on it. Only place it has rust is the lower part of the windshield lip as Toyota used a terrible seals that held moisture and dirt and cause them to rot out. No rust on the bed either and the truck has been outside its entire life. Perks of living in Texas!

fortunately toyota fixed the bed rust issues from the 70s -- yes nice to be in texas -- no road salt

[peter lena 8,608]

@rmaynard  others referring to Toyota rust , even a under body hose out , would help , but that rock salt and chemical road spray they put down  and any  lengthy time  in hosing off , is the killer . realize  cold weather and hosing something down is  difficult at best . really found an oil based spray down / detailing , let it soak in , look for touch up . just a suggestion , know a lot  , just can't be bothered . thats up to you , have found once thoroughly , done , its good , rarely have to touch up , like a lighter penetrating , aerosol first , that gets into all seams, then a heavier over coating  with an open gear oil , that will seal off the entire  oil soaking . years now , with no rust at all . lower body , door areas , always have an oil slick , at vent areas , telling you its total seam coverage . stay oily . pete     

[Brockport Bill 1,661]

5 minutes ago, peter lena said:

@rmaynard  others referring to Toyota rust , even a under body hose out , would help , but that rock salt and chemical road spray they put down  and any  lengthy time  in hosing off , is the killer . realize  cold weather and hosing something down is  difficult at best . really found an oil based spray down / detailing , let it soak in , look for touch up . just a suggestion , know a lot  , just can't be bothered . thats up to you , have found once thoroughly , done , its good , rarely have to touch up , like a lighter penetrating , aerosol first , that gets into all seams, then a heavier over coating  with an open gear oil , that will seal off the entire  oil soaking . years now , with no rust at all . lower body , door areas , always have an oil slick , at vent areas , telling you its total seam coverage . stay oily . pete     

we periodically during winter ( usually couple days after storm and road salting ) take car to car wash for "under car" auto wash feature to hopefully remove some of salt damage - then into warm garage at home so doesn't freeze -- not sure how effective the under car wash actually is, but hoping there is some benefit???????

[squonk 41,062]

All the manufacturers are having issues with premature frame rot. 

 

I bought a 99 Taco at a Repo auction around 2007. Truck was beautiful. They announced frame damage. I didn't see any. Paid 9 grand for it. Put tires and a timing belt on it. Started driving it and the guys at work say, "didn't you hear about the frame recalls? I hadn't heard of it. I decide to rustproof the frame and when I put my hand near the rear shackle to pull myself under on the creeper my hand starts to go thru a soft spot on the frame. 

 

took it to the Tojo dealer and filled out the paperwork. 2 month's later I had a check for 15 grand. Bought another truck for 12 grand and put a new roof on the garage with the rest. 

Edited January 14 by squonk

[pfrederi 17,705]

My 2016 Tacoma was recalled spent a couple days at the dealer getting the frame coated with some stuff.  Tacoma's solved the bed rust issue...the bed is plastic...

[peter lena 8,608]

@Brockport Bill  having some work done at the house , was talking to the contractor , about his dodge , and the access plugs  in lower corner of  door end seal area , was suggesting  , and also showed him , what I have been using , he was like a puppy dog , as I  showed him what to do .  also showed him the start of  rot on his side , tool boxes .. suggested , macs  chain  / cable spray , rusty leaf springs , fender edges ,  the acidic effect of  road salt , a quick  underbody  spray down , will result in a  rainbow of  acid colors . opened the hood , and showed him the  puffy  paint edges /  rust ready to  pop thru ,  never saw his truck before , but  rust / neglect , does not care . another thing , if you start to regularly , use a headlight cleaner , BEFORE THEY START TO CLOUD UP,  they will probably stay clean / clear / no fogging . just sayin , Pete