Was the 2004 Tundra included in the frame recall? Is it too late?

I just picked up a 2004 Tundra 4.7L xtra cab at an auction. The body looks great, clean interior, no dash lights. I usually have decent luck but am thinking this was a mistake. I totally didn't see this until after the auction. From the sides the frame looks great when looking under the truck. Can anyone tell me if Toyota is still doing anything about these horrible frames and if so how do I go about addressing this issue if it's not too late?

 

You're likely SOL. Sell it if you can.

 

I figured as much. I was hopping for good new but don't expect to get it. I can't believe how clean the rest of the truck is. This is insane. I happen to know a great welder that can fix this but it'll be out of commission until he can find the time to do it. I won't sell it to someone else like this and have them stuck with the same problem.

 

Your your VIN through the Toyota website but I would go see your local dealer first, (ask around for the most liked one!) to see if they may be able to help.

 

Sorry man, that sucks. That is some bad cancer right there...

 

That frame looks oddly clean everywhere except the rotted area. you could TRY to get toyota to do something. but seeing it was bought at auction you probably wont get anywhere.
you could likely sell it full disclosure. theres people like me that'd buy a new frame and toss it under there.

 

Its was clearly painted over, and rusted through from the inside.

Crap. Thats bad. Sorry man. Best of luck. Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you.

 

yea looking at it on the computer its been "covered up" phone it looked cleaner.


sadly i see this alot when i have to tell someone who brought their "new" used truck in isnt safe to lift.

 

Bummer seeing this.

This is the reason I spray PB Penetration all up inside that box frame about 2-3 times a year. The penetrant works its way all in those seams.

Those frame laps trap moisture/salts/etc.

The metals within the frames, the weld seam, and road salt themselves causes dielectric corrosion due to poor milling on these frames.

 

@isaami did a write up on this.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/early-1st-gen-2000-2003-tundra-frame-replacement-faq.54331/

 

Hi,
Curious if you could make a guess on total cost. Have a 2003 that I plan on keeping. If I run into this same thing. What would it cost to replace the frame. Not using the dealer and maybe a replaced frame from the junk yard.

 

I dont know about that recall in particular, but my T100 had the 3VZE engine and I had a head gasket leak in 2011 (18 year old truck) which was covered under a recall in the 90s sometime and my local toyota (which isnt known for good service BTW) gave me 2 brand new cylinder heads with no quibbling or hassling at all. You may want to see if they'll replace your frame, it dones'nt cost anything to ask a couple dealers.

 

I just quoted a frame on a fj cruiser (damage). Frame cost new was 6500. (Tundra frames need last I checked were around 3-4K) labour is what will kill ya. 60 hrs labour at a dealer is roughly 8k plus factor in brake lines and control arms at least.

getting a frame from a junkyard if I had to guess 500-1000 for a frame. Then figure another grand at least in parts. I’m currently doing a frame on my 01 Tacoma. But that’s a restoration project, cost has been high in that one

 

Pretty much how mine looks, except someone welded a couple pieces of angle iron on the frame rail. I'm in the process of gathering up materials to remove the iron and repair that right front corner. I'm looking at purchasing the Safe-T-Cap kit from Autorust.com

 

I must have read 40+ rusted frame threads in the past year while I was shopping for my 2006. Never once was the Safe T Cap mentioned. Big thumbs up for letting us know this supplier exists!

 

Absolutely!
I reached out to them yesterday about some info on the kit and I got a response from Jerry Carlson, the owner of the business.

Have not ordered yet, but it sure seems like the easy way to go... As I stated previously, I'll be documenting the process when I get underway.

 

"Frame Alert" ! RI Craigslist, auto parts, toyota tundra, New frames for sale. I also have a 2000 parts truck with an excellent new frame. extra cab.

 

I had great success with Safe T Cap. I was well aware of rust issues when I bough my 2004 AC, but I spent most of my time inspecting the frame from the rear. I later (after I owned it, of course) discovered rust through on the driver's side under the wheel wells. I found Safe T Cap had the exact solution for my situation, and found a great installer right on their website. Now I'm happy guy!

https://www.autorust.com/product-category/toyota/tundra-2000-2006/

 

Good to know, W666... Thanks for the input!

 

Any pics of after safe t cap install?

 

I had to dig to find the “after” photos

 

That's how I'm planning my end result to look as well. I'm removing the sway bar, control arms and struts and the steering rack so I can clean up and paint that entire area. Going back in with all new bushings and rebuilt rack...

 

Hey Guys, I'm in the same boat. Just purchased a used 2005 tundra. Body is in excellent shape and very mechanically sound. All routine maintenance has been performed and I have the records. Somehow I missed the frame rust. And I'm really devastated. It only has 107,000 miles and was taken care of. Toyota dealership sprayed the film on the frame during the recall which made it tough to see the true extent of the frame rust. the rear frame rust is honestly so bad I don't feel safe driving it. and I certainly don't feel safe having my son in the truck with me. Total bummer! Going to take it to the welder early next week and see if he can do anything. If not, looks like I'll be selling it for a loss. Truly disappointed in Toyota's "quality" on this one.

Do you think it's worth taking in to my local dealer to see if there's anything they could do to help? Really feel like they dropped the ball on these frames.

I'll try and post some good pictures of it tomorrow so that you guys can tell me what you think. But my gut feeling is I'm screwed. Best of luck to yall

 

I feel your pain TF. Initially, I didn't notice the rust on my frame either, but the second time I looked at the truck, I was armed with a bit more knowledge. I used that as a bargaining chip and basically talked him down from 3700 to 2000 dollars. The truck was for sale for a while and with no other offers (due to frame issues) I'm assuming he just wanted it gone at that point.

You could do a frame swap, if you want to invest more money into it. My rust is exactly where W666s was, so the Safe-T-Cap is going to help me. The rear frame section has a couple small spots that need attention, but overall it's not horrible. I bought this as a long term project so I'll be basically rebuilding all the suspension after the frame work is done.
The bed has some rust issues as well, so that's an additional project I'll be tackling.
Mechanically, the truck is in great shape (172,000 miles) so all my work will be focused on the undercarriage.

Hope you can find a solution to your problem!

Jim

 

Is it only certain years that have the frame rust issues? Or does it more depend on where the truck is from? Wondering if I should stop setting my sights on tundras if they are all prone to serious frame rust.

 

If you know where to look on the frames and see that they haven’t rusted, then you know you have a good truck frame. The northern salt/brines mixes will eat your stuff up so you'll want to treat your frame with a coating.

 

A little late to the part and didn't see this earlier but I dispose of a lot equipment via auction. Not sure what your state regulations are but here in CO, you have to disclose any known major issues (engine, transmission, frame etc) for any on road motor vehicle being offered for sale. If it is found to be a known issues or at fault of the seller for not disclosing, the auction is forfeited. I would assume the previous owner had to have some knowledge of the frame rust (hence why it was in auction vs private selling).