Rusty Tacoma Frames, and Toyota's Solution

[FJ45Cruiser]

I just thought that if would be in the dealers best interested to try a little harder to find a hole. For example in my case since there is a soft spot. Get a bigger hammer?

[mustang67408]

There is a specific flow chart to follow with instructions. I'll try to get a picture of the chart. I see your point, I actually enjoyed performing the test, but it is entirely up to TOYOTA.

[mpwolf]

It sure seemed like the guys doing my test were enjoying themselves. The Salesmen out in the showroom were tripping over themselves to give me a card when they herad what I was there for. 'Course, they didn't know I've got a Tundra sitting in the driveway.

[mustang67408]

Ya, it's pretty funny to watch them scramble when they think there is fresh meat. I love to go in on my day off not in uniform, all the newbies tryin to score or when my wife comes in, she blasts them with a million technical questions that I know they have no idea what she is talking about. You know, that deer in the headlights look. To funny!!!

[mpwolf]

Yeah, I was looking pretty ratty, having left straight from work, and I asked if they had a new Tundra I could see. I got they, "they're pretty hard to find" line. Then the Service Mgr. came to find me, and anounced, for all to hear, "they checked, and your frame failed". All of a sudden I had three cards shoved in my face.

[FJ45Cruiser]

Took my truck to the dealer today. I was concerned it wouldn't fail but it would work out really well to get into a new Tundra cheap. Turns out they were able to punch a hole in it. Time to start car shopping.

[AJM]

So I guess they ran a story on this on the local news near where my mother lives, and I'm glad they did because this is the first time i've heard about this program. I of course rushed to the internet to verify the story and here I am....

I haven't received a letter yet but have a 1999 Tacoma 4X4 and I'm actually hoping I'm in the right VIN range and get the letter, then hoping I fail the test and get the 'excellent' book value and 150% offer... hell, with the condition my truck is in, I'd accept just the 'excellent' value without the 150%. My tacoma has seen better days and I was planning on buying a new vehicle (a more fuel efficient sedan) before 2009 hit anyway. With the repairs it needs it's probably worth under $2000 as a trade-in... I'd be giddy with the 'excellent' price, which is around or upwards of $8000

So are holes the litmus ? If there are existing visible holes in the frame or if the techs can produce a hole with a hammer ? My frame is pretty rusty, especially around the leaf spring shackles and on the springs themselves, but there are no holes at all, just a lot of missing paint and a lot of rust (and not only on the frame).

One of the reasons I am planning on getting a new vehicle is that my Tacoma has faulty leaf springs, each with one or more leafs broken or removed, the suspension is in poor shape and I need new springs... which would run me $1000 - $1500 at the dealer, not worth it to me at this point. The thing is... I've never carried an overly heavy load in my Tacoma bed, so I can see no other reason for the broken springs except for this corrosion, and the minefield of potholes that are on seemingly every local road in greater Boston. I'm hoping they take the rotted springs into account, but something tells me they won't.

mustang67408, if I were to post a couple of pictures from underneath my Tacoma of my frame, would you be willing to give me your (informal, off the record) opinion on whether I might be a candidate based on what you yourself know/have seen ?

I'm not sure I want to try and produce some holes myself with a hammer, but I'm willing to try if it helps get me the 150% deal.

[mustang67408]

Please post some pictures, I'd be happy to ADVISE (unofficially and off-the record).
Do not try to put holes yourself, they may see that as something it isnt.
PM me your VIN and I'll check it.

[AJM]

Originally Posted by mustang67408

Please post some pictures, I'd be happy to ADVISE (unofficially and off-the record).
Do not try to put holes yourself, they may see that as something it isnt.
PM me your VIN and I'll check it.

Thanks much, PM sent.

I definitely am NOT planning on breaking out a hammer to see what I can find, but I certainly am eager to find out if my VIN falls in the right range.

I will break out the digital camera this weekend and take some pictures to post, and I look forward to hearing your info on the VIN and your informal opinion on my pictures/rust.

Thanks again for the help.

[headleyj]

Is it true that if you purchased one of these after March 7th you don't qualify?

[mustang67408]

Originally Posted by headleyj

Is it true that if you purchased one of these after March 7th you don't qualify?

Not sure what your asking?
What is March 7th?
If you need to know if your TACOMA qualifies, PM me your VIN and I can check.

[AJM]

I'm not positive, I have to believe the offer is only good on Tacomas purchased before the announcement. Otherwise what is to prevent opportunistic people from buying rusted out, junked out Tacomas for dirt cheap and attempting to profit off the 150% deal?

[headleyj]

Originally Posted by AJM

I'm not positive, I have to believe the offer is only good on Tacomas purchased before the announcement. Otherwise what is to prevent opportunistic people from buying rusted out, junked out Tacomas for dirt cheap and attempting to profit off the 150% deal?

Exactly. I can't find anywhere if this is true, but it makes sense that it would be. Just looking for it in writing, that's all.

[mustang67408]

Its for ALL TACOMAS 1995-2000 that have a qualifing VIN, There is NO qualifying statement about being bought before the announcement date. I'll dig deeper and try to report later

[georgie]

mustang 67408
What is the qualifying VIN number? (any Taco's manufactured after this VIN?)
Just curious. I don't think my frame would qualify (light surface rust in any areas I can see) but you never know.
Thank's