Rusty underbelly

Most of the used <30k mile tundras I found were auctioned ex-leases coming down (located in VA) out of NY, NJ, MA, and PA. Most already had the rot setting in. Some, like OP's still had visible salt on them.

 

Tomorrow is the big day. Should be fun. Meanwhile, I've started searching again.

 

Good luck.

They are out there. From a 2020 20k mile Cav Blue OR I just looked at last weekend... like a new truck:

 

Hot damn, my 2016 never got washed for like the first 5 years of its life in rural Wisconsin, and it's nowhere near that bad. A little elbow grease and most of my rust came off, and I went over a couple spots with POR-15 before going to get a thixotropic underbody coating.

 

I can’t believe that’s a 19. That poor truck was severely neglected. I have a 17 year old Sequoia that looks brand new underneath. Fluid Film and WoolWax definitely work. I’m from NJ and we use salt heavily during the winter months.

 

I strongly recommend you drive back to the dealer and say “no thanks, here’s the keys”

 

Just a heads up, dealer will try and stall you on returning it. Leave it there and get it in writing or record yourself saying you want to return the truck. They stall you a few days and then you are beyond the return window. Common practice. Get a cheap GP attorney same day if needed. Won't cost much and they can throw something on a letterhead.

- Do not spend any time or money on that truck, get rid of it.

 

I'm planning on them stalling! I've got a lawyer buddy on standby if needed. I already spent $$$ - cat shields will be delivered today. But I can use them on the next one.

 

Sad thing is, if the dealer takes it back, they’ll probably just paint it or do something to cover it up and sell it to someone who doesn’t look under the truck in the 7 day return window. They aren’t going to lose money on it.

 

Did you do your own?

 

Yes. I do my own with our 15y old son in the driveway on DIY ramps.

We spray as much as we can with the cheap gun and 1 can to get in tight slots.

I plan on upgrading spray guns for next year as I hear the deluxe gun with wands is much better.

 

Did you spray the underside of the box as well or more just the metal frame and such?

 

Everywhere we had access but tried to avoid normal areas like exhaust, routers, brakes etc.

The frame is the main goal, but we spray everywhere.

 

You remember how much it took?

 

1/2 a Gallon jug or so. Next year I'll probably spray the crap out of it and use a whole jug.

 

Holy shit-snacks. That couldn't have gone better. I showed them the pictures, had to mention "lawyer" and "unsafe" a few times, and they agreed to reverse the entire deal. Luckily, I was:

• within the return time frame and miles
• My 4Runner had been allocated to another store but was still on the lot waiting on the carrier
• The deal hadn't been funded yet (thanks, slow Credit Union!) and my down payment check was still with the store
  
• I was wearing my lucky CZ pistol hat.

Lessons learned:

• Don't be blinded by a new vehicle. Crawl under it, inside it, look at it a few different times. I was so happy I found "the one" that I didn't look closely enough at it prior to purchase.
• Don't buy vehicles from snow belt/salt states.
  
• Carfax sucks
• Go through the car several times after bringing it home if w/in the return period.

Thanks everyone here for tips, encouragement, and advice. All is good, and Echo Park has a happy (former) customer. I'm going to take a few weeks off and make nice to my 4Runner
while searching again.

 

Good! Glad they didnt yard you around on it. When I was hunting for my truck (took a year and passing on about 20 trucks I might add) that was one of the first things I asked for was frame pics no matter where they claimed it was from. Was amazing how many dealers were so dishonest or sheisty about it. Had flat out refusals, had a few spray paint them then send pics (one left the cans in the background of one of the shots), and the ones who would send pics looking like yours then gaslight me saying thats ‘normal’. The right truck will come along for you, just need to be patient.

 

Glad to hear it worked out for you

 

Awsome yeah i think that was only way to go for sure. Just glad i live out west never have to worry about rust.

 

I'm cynical and paranoid to a nearly unhealthy degree, my thought is whoever sold it to the dealer lied to them, and/or the dealer lied to you. That truck has some bad history, and you should definitely run away. Return it or flip it fast. There are some really good tundras to be found still for decent money if you are willing to travel for them. Maybe not crew max short beds but whatever you do, get out of that thing.

 

Buying from a snow belt/salt state really isn't the issue. It's whether the prior owner or owners have taken care of it. (i.e. using fluid film regularly or it's equivalent). However, if you're going to buy via an online auction, I'd steer clear and even when it's not, always make sure an inspection is required if possible before taking delivery of the vehicle.

 

Figured this thread might help you out if you’re looking into treating your trucks undercarriage.

I ended up going with FluidFilm, needs to be reapplied, some say it smells bad (I disagree), it can drip if applied in hot weather, but it’s very affective, easy to apply, fairly cheap, seeps and runs into every nook & cranny when it gets hot, overall a great product IMHO.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/undercarriage-treatment-yay-or-nay-pros-cons.99051/

 

@catus read through this entire thread, happy to hear the good outcome for you on this. Happy hunting for your next truck, half the fun besides finding it. I use Amsoil HD metal protector on mine for the last 2 seasons, but I see a lot use FF. May look into it based on ease of application.

 

Glad it worked out for you OP! That could have been a real mess long term…

 

Thx, everyone! I learned a lot from this experience, and maybe documenting it here it will help someone else in the future. I'll definitely look at Fluid Film, Wool Wax, etc before I get my truck...

 

Glad this is working out well for you- when you do find your Tundra you’re going to love it.

If you are NOT in an area that uses salt or has ocean exposure, check out Chemical Guys Bare Bones.

I treated my Tundra frame and undercarriage this summer after cleaning everything under there that had had gotten dirty, and so far I really like the result- it has repelled dirt and everything looks factory black, including the wheel wells.
I would use the traditional (fluid film, waxoyl, etc…) protectants in the harsher environments. For the PNW, where we don’t see salt, this stuff seems to work so far. I used a small pump bottle to spray it and it wasn’t a nasty job at all. Oily, but easily cleaned up.

 

Betcha that truck has a fresh coat of oil undercoating on it ready for the next victim.

 

OP glad to hear everything worked out. I have a 2020 DC limited. I get the Krown treatment every spring with the de salt wash on the underside. Had the truck treated the next day after bringing it home.

 

It's back on their website at a slightly lower price. Don't know if they covered up the rust or not. I'm kinda tempted to drive over there and take a look!