Tundra part out experience?

Hello!

I bought a 2003 Tundra recently for towing and did a classic Tundra themed oopsie by not noticing the massive hole in the frame. There was some rust that I did see and figured was patchable/fixable but now I don't think that. The question is, what to do?

I'm not sure I can sell the car for what I bought it for (unless the buyers are just as stupid as me), so:

1. Part out. Curious about other people's experiences and how much money they were actual able to make doing this?
2. Sell for cheaper then I bought. Take the L and move on.
3. Put in the elbow grease and replace the frame. Not sure how possible this is in a simple two-car garage.

Car only has 173k miles. I paid 3600 for it. Any advice is appreciated!

 

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

 

Clean the truck up so it looks nice. Advertise it for sale, be up front and honest, explain the rust issues. Sell it for the best you can with the rust issues, unload it !
Never look back. Be much more careful on your next truck.
Paul

 

You got pics of the frame and truck?

 

Who did you buy it from? May be some recourse from the seller if the rust was not disclosed

 

Might be eligible for frame recall.

 

What to do? I'm sure the seller knew about the problem, you just didn't know what to look for. There are laws in place to protect you, at least if it was a dealer. How long ago did you buy it? Rust doesn't form overnight, and that's easily legally recognized.

 

buy a clean frame on the west coast and have it shipped

 

Facebook marketplace. And it was an older guy who clearly didn't know much about the truck. Maybe I could pester him to take it back but that seems like a dick move. He did not disclose the rust to me prior to sale but also I did look under the car and didn't see the worst of it.

 

Sadly not. The undercoating was performed in 2011. I find it hard to believe there wasn't SOME rust then but the Toyota inspection claims none was found.

 

Thank you, I think that's what I'll do. I'll lose some money, but education ain't cheap.

 

173k miles for $3600 isn't too bad of a deal these days. You definitely could have done worse, we've had people get more screwed over from rust here before. What area of the country are you in?

 

If you part it out, you'll have many, many hours involved with questionable dollar return. And it will tie up garage space or your yard. Then you have to deal with the carcass after the buzzards have picked it apart.

@ENOK has the best approach. Enjoy your sanity and free time.

 

Year and pics? You gots guys here lined up looking for parts. Honestly if the price is right someone might just snatch up the whole truck for parts.

but id see if there is anything legally you can do first to get your money back.

 

We dont know how you bought the truck. If you bought it from a dealer, they might be willing to help you. But if the dealer let you examine the truck top and under, then good luck. If you bought it on a private sale, hopefully the Bill of sale will disclose the rust issue. If not the private sale has no legal obligation to return all or part of your funds, you did look it over. If you try to sue the private sale owner, words not on paper and signed are just hearsay in court. You would spend more in legal eagle fees than the truck is worth.
Paul

 

With that low of mileage and low price, I'd think you can get most of your money back selling it. There are people out there who have the means to frame swap so if the interior and exterior are in good condition, I'd try to sell it.

The other thing about rust is it isn't just the frame, it's every bolt, so every time you try and replace something underneath it's 5 times as hard.

 

It was a private seller and I have to agree. It's not worth the effort at all. I also sincerely doubt there was intended malice by part of the seller - I think he just didn't know. Not worth the legal effort.

 

2003 and I don't have any pictures on hand unfortunately. I would be willing to sell the whole truck for 3k if someone is interested. I put it on Facebook marketplace and so far it's been a hell hole of dealing with assholes, idiots, and flakers. I am a little fed up if you can't tell

 

I parted out another car and it was a miserable experience. I'd prefer not to do it again. By my estimate, there's not much money in parts for these cars either. I assume around 1000-1500 for the drivetrain and then maaaybe another 1000 in incidentals. Any big ticket items that go for a lot that you guys know of? It is the 4.7L engine with 4x4.

 

When you decide to go Tundra shopping again, Please post in the proper forum (proper year) and ask how and where do I check a frame for rust, and other items I must be absolutely aware of. We are all here to help you.
Paul

 

Thank you, I will! I did do a lot of research before buying but unfortunately plain ol' failure of judgement caught me. I may save my pennies for a 5.7L Gen 2 instead for the increased towing but I will check out common issues for those as well.

 

What part of the country are you in?

 

Pics of truck. If its a DC you......

 

Virginia!

 

Booooo

 

I'm an original owner of a 2005 with holes in the frame AFTER the Stealership chose to spray my Frame as part of a Recall/Rework. I've been chasing the Dealer and Toyota to fix the DEFECTIVE Rework for MANY years. I was told.... because it was a NTSB Recall, they ONLY have to perform the Recall as outlined on the NTSB agreement.

Basically, congrats.... we screwed you, and you can't do a thing about it!

I LOVE this Truck, I HATE what the Dealership and Toyota have done to us!!!

I wish you all the best in YOUR quest!

Willie

 

Get a quote from peddle.com.