My Frame Replacement Experience in 2021

This post will probably be about the length of a book but here we go.
So I bought my Tundra (2001 AC 4X4 V8 TRD) in March of this year and after giving it a look over I thought it didn't look too rusty and figured that if it did I could get the frame done anyway. Within the first week of owning I took it just for fun to the dealer to get it inspected and to my surprise it was covered for a frame replacement as the rear spare tire crossmember was rotted out just enough and it had not been sprayed with rust preventative before.
Took them until this month (7-2021) to finally get the new frame in and get it put in. Knowing that there would be some parts that could be installed with no or minimal labor costs I decided to go ahead and get some things done while it was in there. Timing belt being the primary thing (although no discount). Could not find a single record of TB being done (currently 176k) so figured that would be as good of time as any to get it done as well as water pump, tensioners and pulleys, thermostat and rad hoses and not have to worry about it. (Although I had pulled back the TB cover and it didn't look too bad). Did other things like sway bar bushings and end links as well as steering rack bushings which made the steering so much better. Had new upper ball joints pressed in while it was apart. The ones in there were installed by the previous owner recently but very poorly and wouldn't hold grease as the boots were twisted. Replaced with OEM. Did serpentine belt as it had to come off anyway.
Attempted to have the radiator done with the Denso unit from Amazon. I received a unit with broken trans cooler fittings so I attempted to order a replacement but it was going to take too long, so after looking everywhere for the right fittings to replace, I figured the dealer could either remove the old fittings from the old rad or just find new ones, but that wasn't the case unfortunately. So that was a waste of time and some money for me but I guess that just how it goes sometimes. I had originally figured the rad would be free labor but I found out it wasn't as they do not in fact have to pull it out.
All brake lines were replaced including the LSPV and I decided to go ahead and do all the rubber brake hoses as the front passenger had been rubbing the sway bar end link for a while and was making me nervous. New lower control arms were also installed with the frame under the recall for no charge.

Only complaint I have that needs to be dealt with is where the brake lines run down the body right after coming out of the MC as the line holder clips are broken and the lines are sitting on the frame which could eventually cause a problem. Going to be calling the dealer soon to see about this. Brake pedal felt pretty much the same after as well.

Total for all additional service was $1463 which hurt a bit but at least the truck should be squared away for a very long time.


All in all the actual frame replacement only took about 2 days and a rental was provided (2021 Camry) and all went pretty quick and smooth (other than rad). I haven't driven the truck any more than from the dealer to home as I'm planning to fluid film it while it is as clean as it ever will be. It's also been in the garage since it got back so I can figure out the leak in the rear that I believe is from the rear window drains being clogged.

Hope this can be at least slightly helpful for anyone that is planning to have their frame replaced as I never did find a great list of things to replace while everything was apart, otherwise I probably wouldn't have worried about the rad in the first place. If you even remotely think your 00-03 tundra might have a chance at being recalled and it did not have the rust preventative sprayed on take it to your dealer of choice and just give them a shot. The inspection is free if your truck is covered.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something here; I'll add more if need be.

Next post will be misc pictures.

 

Hope these all look alright as full images.

 

Gotta show some "post operation" pics now...
That's fantastic that it was covered. Wish mine would have been..

 

Yeah I need to get some pics of after. Been pretty busy most days since I've had it back.

 

Almost forgot about these actually.

 

@NickB_01TRD That's really neat to see. Thanks for sharing. If you live in Salt-Land make sure you put something on that new frame to protect it.

 

Great news! I guess this is an example of when it's good to have a PO who ignored all those recall letters (assuming letters were sent similar to the thousands of airbag recall letters I've received on other cars).

 

Its parked in the garage right now until I can figure out my rear window/third brake light leak. Also not driving it until I get the fluid film done since it is so clean right now. Just got to have the time.

 

i dont understand i thought would be way past date for 2001 - how did you get dealer to honor it? even if it had not been done there is a statute of limitations

 

Dealer told me that since it is considered a safety recall that it can never expire. Although it doesn't seem like they will be making new frames for old trucks forever. Considered a safety recall due to spare tire crossmember rust causing spare tire to fall off and cause an accident.
Dealership has been replacing frames there like crazy. Just drove in told them I wanted it checked and about half an hour later they said it would get one.

 

which dealer? wish i would have known before i spent 1g fixing my frame

 

Swope Toyota. Elizabethtown Ky
Seems to be that only the only trucks still covered are the older 1st gens. (00-03) so I don't know if it would have been much good for you. Have not verified the year range with anyone in particular that just seems to be what I read the most about.

 

good for you - not sure why older 00-03 would be covered over an 05???

 

Read this as well if you haven't already

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

 

Curious. Did they happen to say what this would have cost. If not covered?

 

Around $10000.

 

Because Toyota covered their ass by issuing a voluntary inspection/replacement program before the federal govt stepped in to force a recall.