Gen 1 rust beyond repair

For all the discussion of rust and recalls I can't find, even here, the specific help I need now. I have a 2003 Access Cab 4.7L 4WD very original Tundra. Took it in for frame recall late 2014 and was told "no problem, we painted it with rust inhibitor". I asked my mechanic from time to time how things looked "lot of rust but par for the course...". Fast forward - now I learn after focused inspection by 2 body shops that only replacement is option and that will be a few thousand more than the truck is worth. Major rust through stem to stern.

This Tundra was babied (otherwise): 118k mi, very good to excellent body and interior. Meticulous maintenance and still looks amazing in/out. I've talked to Toyota and the dealership to see if there is any recall type help left - none, zip, nada. A guy was in my driveway recently with $8000 and now I nearly need to call a tow-truck.

Ok - skip all the "what were you thinking" responses (I can't help you) and give me some reasonable advice. What can I do with this Tundra? Who might want it/could use what's left? I would never sell it without full disclosure (as if it were necessary), but is there a type of individual or group that is looking for something specifically like this with reasonable intentions?

 

Very unfortunate. What part of the county did this truck live in?

 

This is unfortunate for you.

The Toyota spray ‘fix’ was never a real fix. It was a legal (cheap fix) way out of their problem so they could satisfy the law suite system.

Your truck is now a parts donor except for the frame.

Nothing else to tell you here that will make you feel better.

 

You can either sell it as is to someone that will use it as a parts truck or find/fix the frame under it

Or you can try and get Toyota to help pay for some of the frame replacement (I’ve only seen them do this once. But it is technically possible)

If the body is clean and it runs good but the frames shot I’d expect 2 grand for it. A brand new frame from Toyota costs anywhere from 2-3k if you look up the right tsb parts. Add in some other little things and it’s worth it to someone if the rest of the truck is clean.

 

Southern Ohio - plenty of salt of course.

 

Very aware of that now Fred. Several thousand $$ mistake. I'm more upset at dealership for not giving me an idea of what to expect. "You are fine now" not accurate. Call to them recently they admitted that "no one that gets the rust inhibitor has come back" (to that individuals memory). I've learned now that undercoat can actually magnify problem in some circumstances/in time.
Still willing to admit that 1.) Toyota recognized problem and put in place a reasonable solution and 2.) I should have been observing/asking my mechanic to observe at time oil change/etc.

Part of pain of this is I really loved this old truck. A very reliable old friend. I loved how it performed on any surface requiring 4WD. Always quiet, solid feeling at all speeds. Man could it haul a load. Hated poor MPG though. Wife hated it just sitting in drive.

 

Posts some pictures. Just because someone says it can't be fixed doesn't mean that is so.

 

I beat up Honda Int'l over Odyssey axles that went bad just out of warranty. After going up a couple of levels, it seemed, I found individual that noted that we had bought a couple of Honda's new in past, and that it was actually an unusual occurrence... They agreed to pay 1/2, but then ended up paying all as I recall. I think I will try one more time - send letter with confirm receipt to 'President' is what attorney friend recommended. "calls usually not successful".

So, you recommend just re-advertise usual places, with lower price and note re frame?

 

You might have a point there. I did get the exact same assessment from 2 different capable frame shops. I also talked to the guys in the SafeTCap shop in Providence,RI (autorust.com)- they said that only 1or2 in 50 are not repairable with their kits - due to advanced engine cradle area rust.

I would just live in fear that someone could get hurt. I was told that risk is very hard to quantify - but maximum damage would occur if failure at higher speed and in wrong place (around other cars in particular). The reality is whomever buys is going to do what they want with it, no matter what I say, and it probably could go a lot further without obvious problem.

It's well past my critical risk threshold now - but I might have said something different before starting my family several years ago...

 

Friends - I uploaded some jpegs to "RUST" album under my profile if you want a case of indigestion.

 

Re list with the notes frame issue and it’ll likely sell

 

Yea that’s pretty bad. It can be repaired. But it’ll take a bit of work and will just continue to rust.

 

That's my plan now. Sad end to old friend!

 

Go to the Toyota owners site and it should list all of the work performed at a Toyota dealer. Look specifically for the recall linked below. If it was performed you may still have a case if the recall part failed. I'm not 100% on that but it would be a better argument anyway.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2009/RCMN-09V444-8558.pdf

The recall pertained directly to the rear cross member so if that's still solid your probably still out of luck.

 

Lifes a bitch and feel your pain.

For those not knowing how to get "Rust" album mentioned.

https://www.tundras.com/media/albums/rust.6897/

That is sickening and thank my lucky stars We in my W TN area do not have much snow(very little salt/brine).

 

Thats gnarly looking for sure. I failed to see any frame ‘perforations’ except maybe a spot up front under the engine.

Makes me want to go out and grease and PB blast my frame again.

 

Ouch.. Looking at that rust I expected to see barnacles growing on it.

 

I agree that it looks bad, but it doesn't look like the frame is going to break or anything (from what I can see in the pictures). Have you tried using a wire brush to clear off the surface rust and see how deep it goes?