Early 1st Gen (2000-2003) Tundra Frame Replacement FAQ

In the beginning of 2021, I took my 2002 SR5 to my local Toyota dealership for a quick oil change. After sitting in the waiting room for a short while, the service agent called me into his office. He told me he could not let me drive my truck away because the truck is not safe to drive. He said this was due to the rusted-out frame. The truck had no body rust and about 120k miles at the time. They said they were on the phone with Toyota and a may be a while. My wife and I then walked to a local place for lunch. When we returned, we were told that Toyota was going to replace my frame free of charge. The gave me a new Tundra as a loaner and two months later my truck was done. The final cost to Toyota was about 15 grand including what the dealership charged them for the loaner truck. I am the second owner. I bought it in 2004 with 6000 miles on it. It's been a great truck.

 

What a great story. Welcome to the forum!

 

Yep, I believe it, Toyota is usually really good on Service Campaigns and recalls. When I worked there back in mid 80's we were replacing camshafts in the Cressida and Supra. The oil holes were very small and lack of proper oil changes and they would wipe the cams and heads. Toyota said fix them up to and over 100k miles. 2nd Gen 4Runners and Trucks w/3.0 V6 they were doing head gasket/ engine replacements up to and over 200k. I decided to sell my own personal 1994 4Runner which I just got back from driving to Mexico mid 2002. Truck didn't use a drop of oil or water. It had the open head gasket TSB and 169k miles and was over due for timing belt. So I said yeah go ahead and do head gskts and I'll pay the minimal upcharge for timing belt water pump. Service manager calls me back and says bad news truck showed water stain in one cylinder so it needs a new engine. I'm like button it up I'm selling it. He goes no no were gonna replace it for free and give you a 1yr/12k warranty on it. I said whatcha waiting for! Also made it real easy to sell with new engine and a year warranty. Ask the big 3 to fix your 169k Truck for free! Good Luck! Thanks Gotta Love Toyota.......

 

That's awesome. Maybe I'll take my '06 in and see if they find my frame in need of replacing it needs a little figure 8 gasket behind the oil filter changed . That's probably gonna be a driveway fix but I'm glad they are still doing some though!

 

Hey first gen tundra lovers i got a 2002 rclb tundra with the 5vz 2x4 and i want to buy a used frame i found one off a 4.7 4x4 rclb will it fit thanks for the reply

 

• Frame-wise, AC and RC can interchange as long as the engine/drivetrain matches. If your DC frame is rusted out, you're stuck hunting for another DC frame with the same drivetrain.

 

At the Current Moment - There is minimal if any Love for Toyota when they are replacing Early Gen Tundras that did not have the Frame Coated and rejecting those that did have the Frame Coated per their Worthless Campaign Recall to have the Defective Frames Coated with the Wax Like Substances Noxudol and Parker - A backdoor deal between NHTSA and Toyota in order to Reject Frame Replacements of Defective Frames that have Rotted; all of which is unethical.

Feel Free to Check Out a Longstanding Battle a USAF Veteran has had and is having with Toyota to have a Frame Replaced that was presented to Toyota just prior to Christmas 2019 and their Habitual Refusal to have the Defective Manufactured and Deteriorating Frame Replaced with a New Frame through now.


Two YouTube Videos:

I Just Lost My Faith in Toyota - March 2021

&

I Finally Got a Toyota Tundra and It’s Already Falling Apart - Jan 2024

As you read through the comments, of the latest video it is interesting to find that there are even folks that have written in Japanese, and when those comments are translated, they are very revealing about the state of Toyota at the current moment.

One person even comments and knows where the frame was made, and was employed by Dana and states the plants that made those frames were shut down.

Often people forget the Former USAF Veteran and CHP Trooper Mark Saylor and Family Fatality in a 2009 Lexus ES 350 and the people killed because prior to him as Complaints to the Broken Organization NHTSA and Toyota were Ignored and Covered Up.

https://www.twincities.com/2010/02/...control-a-frantic-911-call-a-family-dead/amp/

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-08-fi-toyota-recall8-story.html

Finally the DOJ stepped in and fined Toyota 1.2 Billion - A drop in the bucket for them

https://youtu.be/Wd6T0ToCl9k?si=rlhMm9EHqrNiJpYr

The Late Betsy Benjaminson lost a lot personally by sharing the Truth.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/high-price-but-no-regrets-for-israels-gutsy-toyota-whistle-blower/amp/

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/new...y-unintended-acceleration-is-real-081817.html

http://betsybenjaminson.blogspot.com/

Sadly, the documents and links that the Late Betsy Benjaminson - a Translator for Toyota left open to access are now unaccessible perhaps due to her passing away in 2017 and/or perhaps because of Toyota and if you read some of them, you will be shocked

In general in the past prior to 2022 with respect to the Tundra the engines have been reliable. The metallurgical issues of the frames seem to have finally been corrected per a Head Toyota Srvc. Mgr. with over 20 years of experience with Toyota.

And in general as a company, Toyota/ Lexus makes a good engine.

Toyota/Lexus is not the same company it used to be many years ago.

It takes class action lawsuits to get them to move and even then they will do their best to avoid correcting issues thoroughly if there is a loophole in the legal language.

Toyota Motor Corporation Net Consolidated Revenue in 2023 was approximately $304 Billion and they spend $4 to $5 Billion alone on Advertising per year. This Company claims to be Pro Veteran - maybe on the surface - and when the rubber hits the road one may give some thoughtful consideration to their past and current handling of safety issues.

 

So are you just here to bitch or do you have anything useful to add to our discussions? You’ve been a member here for 4 years and have only posted 3 times. All 3 have been in this thread and not one of them contain anything new or useful to us.

 

Sir, your comment lacks decorum and meaninful understanding.... Are you aware of what members have been reached out to personally in terms of offer of assistance? Is the comment posted by yourself and the nature of that comment encouraged by the Moderators of the Forum?

 

First and foremost, Thank you for your service.

I think a little clarification on your intent is a justified thing to ask for. This is a Tundra enthusiast forum. Your replies don't strike me as "enthused" so much as they are hyper-critical. If the intent of the forum, in my humble opinion, is to share the joy of Toyota, why are all of your replies shitting on Toyota? Moderators, members aside, do you believe your commentary is in the spirit of this forum? If not, why do you continue posting with shit, when the intent of the forum is shine?

I think @The Black Mamba is justified in asking just that, although his words may not share the same civility, he has a fair point: What is your intent? Are you here to share with joy or ridicule and shame? If the latter, maybe take a sec to read the room. There's a time and place for everything. Maybe this isn't the place, since you've clearly invested the time?

 

Thank you very much - that really means a lot - I'm very grateful for your appreciation.

This section of the Forum deals with the successes and challenges of Frame Replacement.
There is a pattern of Inconsistency by Toyota apparent through accounts by the Forum Members and should be helpful to other Forum Memebers Facing Challenges of Frame Replacement and/or are
Attempting to Navigate a Frame Replacement and especially for those Considering Purchase of an Early 1st Gen Tundra.

If the comment posted is read clearly one would hopefully consider the the statments of fact coupled with some postive statements.
Is the Spirit of the Forum to share fact or to share fiction? Is the Spirit of the Forum to Gloss over those facing and sharing challenges of Toyota's Frame Refusal after heeding Toyota's Campaign Recalll to have the CRC Frame Coating?

The Title of this Thread - Early Gen (2000-2003) Tundra Replacement FAQ and as shown by the Thread and the Members again shares Challenges and Successess.
A Lack of Decorum & Open Attack is never Justified...

If I am your family member or best friend and you clearly observe the challenges I or someone close to you is having with a Tundra Frame being Replaced or a Tundra Frame Refusal and you share Honest Statements of Fact about the Process or Nature of the Manufacturer and Support it with Factual Statements and Cite Real World Examples of Past Instances of a Pattern and are being Truthful - Why is this then to be Attacked?
Why would those statements be percieved to have the intent of ridicule and shame?

Shall we be Joyous of GdTundra02's inablity to have the Frame Replaced by Toyota although it is clear he has done what Toyota has asked of him and has kept the vehicle in very good condition?


What is the intent of his posting and his follow up and furthemore shall an attack of his posting be justified because he is sharing the Truth? What is the intent of others who within this Thread attest and affirm a pattern of Inconsistency by Toyota and are Rejected Frame Replacements as they are able to share with us within this Thread?

Shall we now question the number of times they have posted and the value added, presume to know if they have offered assistance to others, and go on to question intent openly in a manner that is disrespectful and attacks the member?

Did they or myself attack other forum members in what they were sharing? What was their intent in sharing? Shall we attack based upon perception?

Perhaps sending a polite message privately asking for help understanding rather than an open reply attacking would be in order?

The Intent is not to share Joy nor Ridicule nor Shame.....

Shall we be Joyous when there is a Clear Pattern of Inconsistency by Toyota upon Members of the Forum within this Thread? Shall we attack them when matter of fact issues and Inconsistent Patterns of Toyota are brought to light with regards
to the Issue of Defective Frames being replaced?

I'm grateful for the Members of this Forum and Within this Thread who have and continue to be Respectful and Helpful with other Forum Members and myself.

Cheers My Friend

 

Good evening,

I'm new to this forum. I'm going to pick up a 2001 AC Limited V-8 4wd that looks mint but has a bad frame.

The guy selling is trying to sell me a 2000 AC V-8 2wd as the replacement frame.

From what I've read the drive train has to match. One 2wd and one being 4wd would mean the drive train does not match, correct?

Thanks in advance.

 

Good morning and welcome. First off, you need to take some time and read through THIS entire thread. Read it several times because it answers just about any question you may have or will have regarding basics of the Best Gen Tundra.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-...ught-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/#post-2980386

 

Thank you for sharing this. I have read through that multiple times and can't seem to find anything specific about a 2wd vs a 4wd frame for a V8 Access Cab.

All I can find is that the drive train needs to match.

Should I assume that means a 2wd and 4wd frame are different even if they have the same V8.

That is what I am going with but just wanted to try and make sure before buying a replacement frame.

Thank you for any and all help!

Can't wait to get this truck back on the road!

 

Frames should be the same. See this thread by @whodatschrome . He did a 4x4 swap into a 2wd. Tacoed Tundra project | Toyota Tundra Forum (tundras.com)

 

I thought they were different. Isn't there a separate cross member for the transfer case or am I wrong? Maybe that can be swapped over?

 

The 2wd and 4wd are exactly the same, so start swapping!

And is the reason for the frame replacement because of rust, or because it’s bent?

 

Both the 2wd and 4wd frames have mounting brackets in two different spots to accommodate a 2wd crossmember and a 4wd crossmember. The 2wd and 4wd C members are what’s different.

 

It's rusted out. But he has a 2wd frame he's trying to sell me with it... but it's wrinkled on the crossmember under the motor... may not buy his spare frame but buying the rolling truck and hopefully find a good replacement. I may try and see if I can get a toyota dealership to cover the replacement first...

It's a 2001 so it's under their recall/ tsb.

We shall see.

 

Just how wrinkled is the crossmember on the replacement frame? The cross' does kinda hang down and can be susceptible to damage, but the frame brackets that it bolts to usually will bend first (but they can easily enough be bent back into shape). Makes me wonder how the cross got damaged. It would be VERY difficult to conclude if a bare frame is bent or not. And if the frame is rusted on the 4wd truck, chances are all the suspension bits will be as well. Does the bare 2wd truck frame come complete with suspension? I don't know where you're located, but if you're east coast/midwest, it might be difficult to find a rust free frame locally. Out here on the west coast (i'm in oregon) clean frames can be found without too much fuss.


EDIT: when i said that the crossmember is susceptible to damage, i was thinking it was the transmission crossmember, not the engine crossmember. It takes a very hard hit to damage the engine crossmember!

 

Going from memory but I think the difference is between the V6/V8 trucks.

 

I'm in Fort Worth but the truck I bought is in Houston.

Pics of the replacement frame he is trying to sell me...

 

I found a low mile replacement frame at LKQ in Tulsa Oklahoma for only $626. So not bad... he wants $900 for this one but I have to haul it from Houston and it comes with the motor, 2wd Trans and complete cab. I think he just wants it gone... but being bent, I'm thinking the frame is toast...

 

Where are you located?

 

Fort Worth

 

Aye, hi neighbor. I'm Flower Mound

 

I'd only do this if it was free. Rust is a nightmare, not just the frame rot, but every bolt is stuck. Do you have a plasma cutter?

 

So he’s trying to sell you scrap metal then. This is the average price for a 1st gen frame here in oregon.

 

If it wasn't sprayed previously then why is there even talk of acquiring a donor frame? Take it in and get the frame swap at the toyota dealer

 

Recently purchased an 02 AC TRD, thought I'd checked it out pretty good, but found doing UCAs. Look under your splash guards, passenger side. AC drain cause?
Called dealer, blew me off, expired. Emailed corporate, no 'recalls' outside warranty. Filed NHTSA report. Called corporate, told to take to dealer for evaluation.. guess we'll see from there. Otherwise planning to do the frame cap from autorust.