Early 1st Gen (2000-2003) Tundra Frame Replacement FAQ

Hi curious if anyone knows if these rust holes are close enough to recall area to have frame replaced? I do have a open recall notice.

 

The main frame rails are not covered under the recall. Take some photos of your crossmembers. If you main rails look that bad, I’d imagine you’ll have some holes in your crossmember too.

 

Here ya go. 1800 228 8559 , 800 9990518 also 800 331 4331 that last one is Toyota Customer experience. Have your VIN and something to write with. And least I not forget the yoyo's at 844 252 6327, this is the recall people. They work from 'home' and don't know any more then what's on the screen in front of them. I asked for a supervisor and ' Doug's didn't know. He was actually gaming when I talked to him by the background noises!!! Every one of those 800 numbers has referred me back to another 800 number. Big circle jrk I'm thinking.

 

Hard to get through to anyone these days! I’m going to to try to set up an appointment with the dealer for inspection and see what happens. I love this truck , but it sure feels in safe to drive

 

Looks like some Rigged Up Fuel Tank Straps on there.

 

Reminds of pop's ratchet straps I replaced.

 

He might be able to get the Recall performed on those. Mine was performed in 2010 on the 2002.

 

He might be able to do so. I didn't know there was an active recall. I ordered gas tank straps from @Roman before I even knew about frame recalls. Bummer. Slim possibility, but I could have had new frame, but alas.

 

I was putting gas in and my tank hit the ground! Had to ratchet strap tank back up! Crazy!!!

 

Pops told me that around 2009-2010 ish he got home one day, and saw something kinda hanging down.

He wollered around down there on the ground, amd got to lookin at it.

It was the tank. He put ratchet straps from frame to frame horizontally. They held until I replaced them last year with OEM straps.

 

My truck also had the tank held up by ratchet straps when I got it.

 

Should we start a thread poll to see how many people have had ratchet ass tanks?

 

After discovering that the rear strap snapped, I put two ratchet straps on it for good measure. I was browsing the forums about fixes and saw the recall info in the sticky. Ran my VIN on Toyota's website and saw that the recall was still open. Took the truck in for inspection and that's how I got my recall done.

 

I have a 2003 AC TRD limited that had the frame inspected in 2011 but no action was taken. The guy at Toyota said that satisfies the warranty and that my state (Washington) doesn’t even offer any remedies since it’s not a cold weather state. Do I have any options here? Uploaded a picture of the service details from 2011. I’m looking into this due to rust in the rear cross member.

 

That pretty much sums it up. At this point of time, procrastinating works out in the owners favor. Went and bought a 2000 Tundra this year that had its frame swap in 2011/12. No major rust on the frame at all since then. Body rust that's another story. You can see under the guys 2015 Chevy with blisters under the paint already. People just don't wash their cars/trucks as often enough in general. Even once a week after driving through salted roads will go a long way.

 

April 5th I was contacted by my dealership. The frame is in! They began the process of the swap. I still have the rental truck, a 2020 Dodge Laramie.of course during the inspection progress they found some worn or items that need replaced. My Bill as of today is close to $1,000 just for parts and reduce labor rates. Most items I knew were expected to work on or replace in the near future anyway. Should have my truck back by the 15th of April. They are waiting on some body mounts.

 

Procrastination works to a point... if you have got the CRC via the recall, no amount of waiting will help.... though I am secretly holding out hope that they will realize there are still-rusting trucks w/ the CRC which run great but are a true danger, and do SOMETHING about it, not just the numbers game.

 

So I thought the recall had expired. Did they say why they still allowed yours.
Thanks

 

Recalls don't expire. If trucks listed under the recall meet the criteria and have never had the Toyota preventative coating installed, they are still eligible.

 

Hello Everyone!
Brand new here, and thought I'd post my interesting little story right here, at the beginning of my tale and let you all follow along...
I picked up my 2001 SR5 in 2009, used, with 86,000 miles. I love it, it is a workhorse.
Now it has 313,000 miles, and the recall is still OPEN on the frame rust.
(Frame rot finally wiped out the left rear upper shock mount, along with my rear brake proportioning valve, and 2 bed bolts on 6/7/2021. Bad pothole. No brakes, dead shock, and the bed shimmies.)
Spoke to Toyota yesterday, and I drop it off at my dealer tomorrow.
Dealer says they will replace the frame at their cost, but I will be responsible for any other items that need to be replaced due to the inability to remove and re-install due to age / deterioration.
Does anyone know "The Letter of The Law" when it comes to the requirements of repairs due to a recall?
I'm not trying to get one over on Toyota, just want to know what they should do for me.
Dealer says they will have to look it over, (obviously), and send the request to Toyota Corp. office for the go-ahead, so I will hear back in a few days.

 

It's not really a recall, unless the failure is the inability to attach a new rear crossmember to the frame rail due to too much rust. It's more of an extension of their service campaign where they inspect for a hole 10mm or larger in certain areas (70-80% of the frame - there's a picture) to qualify for the replacement.

Any part they need to destroy in the process of replacing the frame (i.e. frozen lower control arms) they'll cover. You cover everything else you want upgraded/replaced. The labor is cheaper on some items due to the complete frame replacement (i.e. exhaust manifold) so it's good to take advantage of it. Only downside is everything is now over tightened via an impact wrench in case you need to replace something in the future.

 

Thanks for the info!
I was prepping to do all the work myself when I stumbled upon the printout from my last safety inspection and the pages of recall / safety campaigns.
I should have done this 3 years ago when I had to repair the rear differential oil leak problem, maybe they would have done it.
It is going to be interesting to say the least.

 

I'm building a database of all recall frame part numbers in this thread -> First Gen Frame Part #s

I am by no means trying to take away from this thread, but if a frame was deemed "safe" in the past, but you are concerned with it now. This thread should be able to provide you with a part number that should match your truck.

According to my research, the original frames have been discontinued, but they are still making recall frames.

If you want to secure the future of your truck, or help secure the future of someone else's truck please, post your frame part number from https://www.toyota.com/owners/my-vehicle/service-history there.

If you wish to remain anonymous for some reason, PM me, and I'll happily add your truck information anonymously like I have in the Access cab post.

 

Well, I got the call today, the frame replacement was approved by Toyota, and now I am waiting for them to get one in.
Meanwhile, I counted 9 other frames behind my local dealership, so I suppose it will take some time.
Get 'em while you can!

 

Here is some more info on the Limited Service Campaign.

 

They inspected my truck on March 17th and called me about finally getting it in today for replacement (7-7-21). Appointment is next Tuesday. Anyone out there with rusty frames (00-03) it's definently not too late.

 

I'm honestly amazed they are still replacing 20 year old frames.

 

They don't really have a choice on the recalled trucks. Typically it's that or fair market value and I'm sure the frame is cheaper.

 

2-3 years ago it wasn’t, but now an argument can be made.

 

Anyone having rust problems with ones that were sprayed during the recall?

my 06 was apparently sprayed but it still has a ton of rust...