Tundra Buyer - Is this Exhaust Rust an Issue

Hey guys,

In market for 2017-2019 Tundra Limited with TRD Off-Road.

Found one a few hours from home that is in good shape, but noticed in photos that rear chrome exhaust pipe was entirely discolored. 2017 with 86K.

Had the Toyota dealership take photos of entire exhaust and frame. Truck has been in CA its entire life.

Would love opinions. Truck has everything else I want. But do not want to be replacing the entire exhaust system.

I will note I have two older Subarus that I own and neither has this much corrosion on Exhaust system. Any feedback much appreciated.

 

Perfectly normal surface rust, looks good to me.

 

x2

 

Thanks guys! Much appreciated.

 

Exhausts always get a surface rust. I'd be more worried about the rusty weeping out of the hole in the frame in your first pic.

 

Also - assume I am right to insist on TRD off-road package? Everyone I have spoken with says that it dramatically improves ride quality.

 

Improve, yes. Dramatically... kinda.

 

And the rear differential. I wonder if the prior owner had a boat and that's from taking it in and out of the water.

 

Depending on your location and budget, I know @KNABORES is selling his.

 

Oof, on a CA truck that could mean salt water. Didn't notice the diff. Good eye, Jim!

 

Yeah. Great feedback Jim. I am going to have them put it up on the rack in the morning and take a video of the rear differential and the entire frame. Salt water usage would make sense. This truck is close to Carmel by the Sea - about six hours from me.

 

Have them also take a close up picture if the rear differential breather valve, just to see the condition of that or if there is any junk stuck to it.

 

Thank you Jim. I am not a car guy by trade so this is very helpful. This will be a third car for us and used almost exclusively for hunting trips and transporting our giant schnauzers, but that does not mean I want it falling apart.

 

Welcome from NY.....BTW.

 

Thanks Jim. I may still buy it, but I'm going to get them to take $1200 or so off their current price.

 

Circling back to this. The answer really depends on your end goals and what you want to do. The Off-Road (OR) package changes the shocks to the yellow bodied blue dust cover bilsteins that are made for the Tundra, they get reviewed as being comfortable on road while being pretty good when you end up off pavement. The other big part of the package is the OR wheels, 18" diameter instead of 20" which saves some weight and gives more sidewall so provides more cushion. Also, replacement tires are cheaper for an 18 compared to a 20 in most brands and styles.

That said, if you plan to change your suspension to something not stock (or with a Toyota package) and you want different wheels. Buying the TRD OR really doesn't benefit you any. Its a good package otherwise and I wish I'd done it when I bought my truck, but I was green and didn't know what I wanted out of a truck hahahaha

 

Great info. Thank you. I am not planning on an aftermarket suspension. So the TRD is very appealing versus the standard.

 

That looks pretty normal for a western truck of that age and nothing of concern at all.

I will say it's probable the OE shocks are getting pretty worn at 86k and I wouldn't let that be a decision point.

 

Thanks - and agreed. Shocks will probably need replacement anyway at some point. I do prefer the 18 inch wheels to the 20 inch wheels for replacement tire cost and ride quality.

 

A couple more photos. Rust looks superficial. Rear Diff looks to be in good shape. LMK if anyone disagrees!

 

It surprises me how white the paint on the frame is.
The two CA trucks that I have purchases were 100% rust free. This looks more like a MI frame. This truck has probably seen a lot of beach time or something.

 

Prior owner either had a boat and went in and out of the water or they spent a lot of time at the beach.

 

Yeah. I am leaning toward passing. There will be another Tundra.

 

That truck likely spent its life in a seaside town. Whether Carmel or somewhere nearby. I looked at a Tundra in Santa Cruz earlier this year that I passed on. It had lots of surface rust just from physically being in Santa Cruz and near the beach for 8+ years. There will be another. Be patient.

 

I'm gonna stick my neck out here and say that even with the new pics it still all looks like normal light surface rust to me. Not sure what some here consider excessive for trucks that actually drive outside.

 

I don't think it's bad at all. But I'm biased because of where I live.

OP, if you're not comfortable with it, keep searching. It's your money you're spending and if the idea of rust is on your mind while you own that truck, you'll drive yourself crazy.

A lot of good opinions on here but ultimately your money, your choice. Good Luck!