Rusty Tacoma Frames, and Toyota's Solution - Page 7

wvrktguy · #91 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headleyj

man all those good parts crushed!! just think of the rigs you could build.

no doubt. in my opinion these tacomas were one of the best compact trucks ever built and now it will be a rarity to see one of them on the road. unfortunately I think the recall may impact the value of the trucks that passed so we may be able to find ones that passed at decent prices in the near future.

headleyj · #92 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wvrktguy

no doubt. in my opinion these tacomas were one of the best compact trucks ever built and now it will be a rarity to see one of them on the road. unfortunately I think the recall may impact the value of the trucks that passed so we may be able to find ones that passed at decent prices in the near future.

Good point. Man I just hate to see all these get crushed. There's got to be a way to get one or two to build a rig.

mpwolf · #93 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 03:05 PM

My dealer encouraged me to take anything I wanted off the truck. There wasn't really anything good left. Michellin LTX M/S w/ 75k on them, old corroded to crap wheels. I had already pulled my stereo, so all I ended up taking was the floor mats. Still waiting for my cheque, but hey, I guess the offer must be real, or they wouldn't let me keep the rental

mattz00 · #94 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 09:43 PM

Hello

For anyone that is getting a hard time from Toyota in terms of the Toyota Tacoma Frames rusting out please try this website The Center for Auto Safety It has alot of valuable information on it and you can file a complaint if you wish. Another website is Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. Department of Transportation file a complaint and they will start investigating your complaint. Hopefully this can help alot get many of these defective vehicles off the road and correct corporate irresponsibility.
Thanks
http://www.allworldauto.com/comments/TOYOTA_TACOMA_comments_and_complaints_202-2- 109-4.html
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/slideshow/news/15876993/detail.html
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/investigative/15879699/detail.html
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/15877183/detail.html
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/toyota-offers-to-buy-back-rusty-tacom- as/

Gnascher · #95 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 01:47 PM

I just got my official offer letter, and faxed in my acceptance. They are saying I should have my check in 7-10 days. I got exactly the amount I calculated I'd get from the KBB site.

I have a 'no frills' base model ... 4x4, 2.7L with 170K miles. I'm getting $9,135 ... I only paid 10K for the truck brand new 10 years ago!! (It was a leftover '97 purchased in Aug of '98)

headleyj · #96 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gnascher

I just got my official offer letter, and faxed in my acceptance. They are saying I should have my check in 7-10 days. I got exactly the amount I calculated I'd get from the KBB site.

I have a 'no frills' base model ... 4x4, 2.7L with 170K miles. I'm getting $9,135 ... I only paid 10K for the truck brand new 10 years ago!! (It was a leftover '97 purchased in Aug of '98)

Damn! Now that's what I call resale

AJM · #97 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 03:58 PM

Well... tomorrow is the big day for me.

One of my final remaining leaf springs finally gave and snapped last night and rendered my suspension completely useless and my '99 Tacoma virtually undrivable.

Instead of making an appointment to get them replaced (cost of $1000-$1500), I made an appointment to get the rust check done on my frame tomorrow afternoon. I don't think it's rusty enough to pass... but you never know, I don't have full access to the frame when I crawl underneath the truck... maybe it will actually be worse once the techs get under there.

So please cross your fingers for me... financially, I really need my Taco to fail the rust test. C'mon ! Fail !

If it passes... I have some big decisions to make... fix it, and hope it continues to rust and eventually fails so I get the good offer from Toyota, or forego the value and just dump the whole thing and move in another direction, put the $1000-$1500 towards a new vehicle. Problem there is my Taco is pretty much worthless then.

tacoma man · #98 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 07:52 AM

mustang67408 ,
I recently passed inspection. Two weeks prior checked the frame and it seemed solid. Again checked it after reading all the posts and took a hammer using the claw end broke through a few inches on the bottom before the shackle. Called toyota and told them what happened and they said it is out of their hands - go back to same dealer. Dealer said they followed procedure and it definitely is safe. What I don't understand is how could this possibly be safe. You shouldn't be able to put a hole in a truck frame with a hammer - anywhere! Especially if I am about to fill the bed with gravel. 2ND inspection next week. Need any suggestions. THank you.

mustang67408 · #99 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacoma man

mustang67408 ,
I recently passed inspection. Two weeks prior checked the frame and it seemed solid. Again checked it after reading all the posts and took a hammer using the claw end broke through a few inches on the bottom before the shackle. Called toyota and told them what happened and they said it is out of their hands - go back to same dealer. Dealer said they followed procedure and it definitely is safe. What I don't understand is how could this possibly be safe. You shouldn't be able to put a hole in a truck frame with a hammer - anywhere! Especially if I am about to fill the bed with gravel. 2ND inspection next week. Need any suggestions. THank you.

Try another dealership.
The frame test uses the BLUNT side of a 12-16oz hammer.
It also has a specific spot to check the frame. (see attachment).
It is all based on the dealership personnel, Tell them you want their Field Technical Specialist to look at it.

tacoma man · #**100** (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 08:53 AM

mustang67408
Thanks for the quick reply. Will do.

AJM · #**101** (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 01:08 PM

Unfortunately, as I expected, my Tacoma passed.

The service tech told me mine was 'one of the few' to pass, but it was well on it's way to being unpassable, and that I had until the end of 2013 to come back and take advantage of the offer... he recommended I get the leaf springs fixed and come back after next winter for another check.

The good news is I found a spring shop that's going to replace the springs for around $700...

I'm going to keep that frame as salty as possible next winter.

mustang67408 · #**102** (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 02:12 PM

Keep your reciepts for the repair. I THINK they will reimburse you for that repair if/when the truck fails and it gets bought back.

mpwolf · #**103** (**permalink**) 05-22-2008, 01:47 PM

I got the call this morning- My cheque was waiting for me. Picked it up this afternoon. $18, 558. This is for a '98 V6 4x4 extracab, w/ no extras. I bought the truck in '01 for $18.5 Before a riot starts, understand that I'm in New Brunswick, Canada, where trucks that sell for $20,000 in New England, sell for $30,000. It took 24 days to get the cheque, but I'm one happy Toyota driver.

NBTacoma · #**104** (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 07:37 PM

Got my letter this week and it goes in on Monday for the inspection. My letter stated 150% of the Canadian black book value which you can check on the Toyota Canada site. My 99 V6 extcab lists for $12500 which would give me $18800 but I know the frame is good on mine so it doesn't matter.
It sounds like a good deal but like mpwolf said the pricing is way different up here as a new 2008 V6 ext/cab Tacoma here sells for $36000....

NBTacoma · #**105** (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wvrktguy

no doubt. in my opinion these tacomas were one of the best compact trucks ever built and now it will be a rarity to see one of them on the road. unfortunately I think the recall may impact the value of the trucks that passed so we may be able to find ones that passed at decent prices in the near future.

Man you said a mouth full in that statement. I love my truck bought it new and it's mint with only 110000kms(68000miles) I had it sprayed with oil twice and go over the engine compartment, under side frame included, every spring with WD40 that is why mine is still like new. The problem with these trucks is the frame is boxed from the front to just behind the front rear spring shackle which holds in the moisture, dirt and salt. I agree that because of this problem the value of any trucks that pass the inspection will take a hit forsure. I plan on keeping mine for a long time so seeing fewer of them around is not so bad.....