Crackhead resurrection

Agree, but was mentioning it as the cause of the truck rusting out in those two spots. Body seems pretty good otherwise.

 

Found wheel lug key while cleaning out tool box, and three used Toyota Ignition coils. Moved truck to storage for temporary.

 

Did that dealer give you an appointment for the frame inspection?

 

Not yet. I made first contact through live chat. I'll call them in a little while if I don't hear anything by then. They are in your time zone, and should be up-n-at'em by now.

 

Scheduled frame inspection, and airbag recall for this Monday at 8 am sharp. I will drop the truck off this weekend, ans then carry on with my life until I hear word.

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Lots of Skoal, and natty light bottle caps.



I hosed out the bed this morning after using dirt pile as gravity assist. I'll clean up all that trash tomorrow morning once the ground dries up.

Sprayed down the frame, and looked at everything again. Frame hole I saw was just bad angle of lighting. Still fucken gnarly though.

Pass rear shackle/leaf hanger


Spare tire cross member.




Drivers side frame rail with Spare tire cross member.

 

If you do I wouldn't admit it on the internet...

 

Good point. Any tips?

 

Hypothetically, someone could waller out some bad spots with a rusted piece of rebar. Of course, not exposing good metal for the eyes inspecting it.
Not that you would do that, but that would be a way.

 

hypothetically some could pour chlorine in those holes too.

 

Oddly enough, the truck came with a few pieces of rusted rebar. I've got bleach.

 

Muriatic acid but it takes a while.

 

Two things.

First, good luck on Monday. Hoping for the best.

Second, FFS get a rattle can of white Rustoleum, scrub that bed out with a brush then rinse and dry it, and hit it with a basecoat of Rustoleum, two or three very light coats barely covering it, to get it all one color. You can always strip it later if you decide to line/liner it down the road. Having it one color will make it easier to see where dents are too.

 

Thanks!

It's on the agenda. (If the worst case scenario happens...) I've been thinking about things I can do to increase resale value that are relatively cheap and within my ability.

Any suggestions other than painting the bed are welcome.

 

clean windows, clean interior, clean exterior. Sparkle sells.

@empty_lord feel free to tell me I'm wrong - but I always try to have my vehicle look like a well cared for vehicle when I send it to a mechanic. I figure if it looks like the owner cares about the vehicle they might give it just that little bit of extra care. This includes in the engine bay & down under. I mean who wouldn't be happy to work on PHM's truck over a dirty rusted rat nest filled engine bay?

I think that applies to your frame appointment. I'm sure there are parameters they follow, but I'd think there are also judgement calls to be made. If they think the owner gives a damn about the truck & the frame is on the fence, a tarted up truck might get pushed to the new frame side of the fence & a beat used up work truck might get pushed to the scrap this heap side of the fence.

Finally, take a good look under. If they say they'll do the frame the truck probably stays with them until it's done. If they start asking you if you want to pay for them to replace X, Y, or Z - it's helpful to recall what condition X, Y, or Z was in when you're decisioning over the Edison wires.

Here's hoping you get that new frame. From experience, know the condition of your hard lines for the brakes, gas, p/s. It's really annoying fixing them 1 by 1 as they fail. If the frames rusty - the other stuff is rusty too...

 

clean the truck. if a vehicle looks cared for it is more likely to be repaired. also, dont be a dick at the dealer.. we dont go out of our way to help anyone if they come across as an asshole.

 

I brought a sixer in for the mechanic who got my front diff drain plug out. I even asked what would be OK as a present and was told "any IPA". I sure hope that means I get a little extra love next time but who knows. My service rep is a Taco guy, he doesn't budge on pricing (probably b/c he can't) but he is friendly and cool to talk to.

 

I will be taking a thorough gander at everything. I wondered if I needed to wait, and work on it first for these reasons.

A cared for truck needs to look like it's cared for. That's part of why I washed the bed out. Will be running to Wallace wurl in the am to get white paint, and other items. Wish I had more time.

I wish the bedsides weren't so fucked up, and the cab wasn't so fuckered before the frame inspection. I'm kinda nervous about it honestly.

 

I know what you can do if the frame inspection goes your way

 

And that is?

Also, @empty_lord due to my busy life, I planned on dropping it off this weekend, and letting them inspect Monday while I'm at the orthodontist.

I'm not entirely confident that the truck will be able to speak for me. Maybe the white paint on the bed will help. Anything else you can think of? Should I reschedule at your dealer?

 

Cappppp.

 

Have to find a bed first, and then have to find a cap.

 

I'm not gonna lie. I'm more nervous now than I was when I was speaking with Lexi on the phone at the dealership. @Azblue I'm waiting for your comment...

Should I leave a note offering a six pack of each technicians choosing? Feeling like I'm going off halfcocked again frying on the pavement

 

Tldr, so what are the goals for this new tundra of yours?

 

If the frame is replaced, repair, mend, and build out as 4WD, V8 camper tow rig.

If frame isn't replaced, I'll most likely sell after doing what I can to help resale value. (TB/WP, Fluids, aesthetics)

 

how far is this dealership from you? Any chance you’d be back?

I would play it 100% straight up. Good country boy wants a truck. Buys at night and didn’t see the frame so well. Got a decent deal. Wants to fix it up. Help a bro out kinda thing. Don’t mention you already have a truck. You want to learn and you got it cheap enough. That tells the story.

Then if they hook you up somehow, especially if it’s a mechanic doing the hooking up, go out of your way to recognize that. Talk to Tacoma Mike on TW if you need a line on how to be cool to a sage mechanic.

but if it’s a situation where you’re never going back regardless then just throw the dice and see what you get. Not much point to anything beyond a simple transaction then.

 

It's two hours from me. I chose them as I know they've done these jobs before. I had planned on being back that Monday afternoon to speak with them, and retrieve the truck if they said no.

I like this story idea. I'll have to get the GF to go along with it which should be easy.

 

Yes, @TundraGirl2 starts off with +10 points on you with this task. If you can get her assistance (you'd need another driver anyway) then that's a key piece. Have her borrow the crappiest car she can find (don't take the other Tundra). You want to at least give them the impression that your hopes are on this truck, you're not some guy working an angle to make some quick $.

I wouldn't try bribery up front, that's for after the fact so if you do find your way back they remember you and they want to help you out again.

Most of the guys at dealerships, particularly in the service department, tend to be truck guys. Heck, even the ChP officer who did my truck inspection was a truck guy. Ask what they drive and use the "ask questions" form of flattery. Truck guys love to talk about their trucks and everyone likes to be asked questions about stuff they are interested in. I'd bet @TundraGirl2 can demonstrate this to perfection.

 

Eh. All you can do is take it in and see what they say

 

What if its borderline? who makes the call? Mechanic? Service advisor? Manager?

 

Toyota regional.