First Tundra & Frame Rust

Hey all, I am so damn excited to have just bought my first Tundra just took it in to Toyota for an inspection, and they tell me I need a new frame . I can’t afford 15k for a new frame, please help!!

 

Guessing it didn't qualify for the frame recall? Pics of offending frame rust for our viewing pleasure?

 

Dang, you always make major purchases without investigating the big things to watch out for?

Dang, you always make your first post on a forum with no introduction to ask questions that are covered in the sticky section at the very top?

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

 

Any lemon laws on used vehicles in your area? Here it's like 20-30 days on used vehicles if they cannot pass inspection.

Pics of damage? Lets see the carnage.

 

No one can really help you now. No quick way around frame issues. Very important to find out what the weak points are on older vehicles before you jump on one. So much info on the internet on tundras common issues.

Did you buy from a dealer or was it a private sale?

maybe part it out…

 

+1

 

We can be helpful OP if you provide pics so we know the extent of the damage. It may be salvageable but we don't know if we have to guess.

 

I mean, it's not totally impossible to frame swap outside the dealership if you find one. At least one person has an active project of just that now. It'll be harder, because a DC frame would be needed - the AC and RC share a frame - but ... it's do-able.

Would be easier if Toyota would replace under frame recall though. Assuming it wasn't sprayed in the history. But OP would need to go to Toyota's VIN lookup page, signup for the service, and review their registered dealership records to see if any PO brought it in for inspection and treatment.

We would all hope the previous owner wasn't already savvy enough to do that, but given OP brought it into a dealership for inspection and they supposedly told him it wouldn't pass inspection, but also didn't book him to frame swap ... would seem to suggest a prior owner knew but sold it anyhow.

 

Official welcome first and foremost..1gen Tundies had a Yuuuge recall on rusted out frames, believe early 2d gen too, sorry for the damn excitement to now, dammit man! Now you have to scramble to past state inspection??? Look into removing the rust as possible covering up the frame with a rust covering paint/ protector like Amsoil...Then have a good ol boy shop to inspect it and hopefully gets you on the road. Or return for full refund?? Good luck!

https://www.amsoil.com/p/heavy-duty...0Jkqrk_c04J3vlb3tWDbX6g8uAf5BHGcaAoRvEALw_wcB

 

Definitely need pictures.
Admittedly, I'm not super familiar with how bad these frames can get. Luckily mine is almost rust free.

But with how clean the truck looks, I'd be kinda surprised if the frame is so swiss cheesed that it can't be patched up for relatively cheap.

 

If the front end is sound (no loose ball joints, tie rods, UCAs or LCAs) and it can pass the drop test, it should pass inspection if all your lights are working, no holes in the body or worn out tires. Just need to take it somewhere they don't check underneath like a gas station.

This is of course if you have no recourse to where you are now.

 

That is definitely unfortunate. The 1st Gen Tundras had frame issues as you are now finding out. It's too bad that Toyota doesn't just replace all the bad frames since they obviously know that they built them using inferior steel.

 

Some of the prettiest rigs, have the shittiest frames. It's all hiding under the skirt.....

 

Seems like this happens every month or 2. Sucks to see but it really pays to do your research before purchase. As far as I can tell as of 2021 it seems only 00-03 trucks are still covered under frame recall even though its obvious that all 00-06 trucks are susceptible to the issue.

Your only options if the truck is really rusted with holes in the frame and such are either cleaning up and patching and painting what you have or doing a whole DIY frame swap if you can even find a good condition double cab frame. Otherwise sell it and take a big loss and move on.
Best of luck to ya.

 

I mean, there's always small claims court also ... hard to prove someone knowingly sold it in that shape, although if it came into Toyota for an eval previously, it'll show in their service records they give to owners who register at the site. And that would be proof enough at least one PO had knowledge of this issue.

 

Everyone wants to see pics of the cancer, but I think the OP is one post and done.

A $15k truck is not small claims court. At least not in MD. The limit in MD small claims is $5k. But litigation is pointless if the buyer purchased the car "as is". Every car I've ever sold I do a quick bill of sale that says "as is" to avoid litigation in the event of buyers remorse or when a backyard DIY'er over estimates his skills and underestimates his rebuild budget. The OP hasn't given us much, but I guessing this was a internet deal of some type where he made a purchase based on pics.

 

If it's MD...

"Most used vehicles are required by Maryland Law to undergo a safety inspection prior to its sale or transfer. Generally, the seller or transferor of the vehicle is required to obtain the inspection certificate. However, for class E trucks (exceeding ¾ ton manufacturer’s rated capacity), class F truck tractors, and class G freight trailers, semi-trailers and dump service semi-trailers, either the seller/transfer or or the purchaser/transferee may obtain the inspection certificate."

 

W666, that requirement may apply for licensed dealers in MD, but private sales are still private sales. Two parties agree to exchange a car for a pile of green paper. Private sellers are not required to inspect. However, the buyer will need an inspection certificate from a registered MD inspection station in order to get the vehicle registered and issued tags.

 

Let me at it....... I could fix it.

 

OP never returned. The frame must've collapsed and fell on him during his own inspection.

 

Ha! In today's market, OP already sold it for 18k!

 

00-03 technically didn't have a frame recall either. They had a recall for the rear crossmember but if the attachment points were unusable then the frame would be replaced.

 

Yeah true. Fair enough.

 

Any updates Mr so damn excited??? Past inspection or total refund?? Give us something?

 

He is either trying to fix his issues or gave up and no longer wants to share his story.

 

This is why I really struggle to put forth the effort anymore. When someone's first post is either (a) a problem they need to fix or (b) a request for advice about something there's already stickied posts about, you're lucky if 1 in 5 of them actually replies again, and might wanna buy a lottery ticket if they actually post a 2nd thread.

I must be one hell of an optimist, because I always seem to reply, if for no other reason than to rope another looney into the 1st Gen asylum.

 

Agreed... 1st posts about frame rust and tire sizes should need a mod approval for posting...

 

Moral of the Story? Always look under the skirt before buying the Cow, haha.

 

what if it smells like fish.??.

 

Time for ceviche?