Dumb 18yo

I did what I just read was the biggest mistake when buying and it involves rust. I brought the truck home and was doing a taking a look under and saw this. What do you recommend I was thinking of taking it to a frame shop to get a new Peice fabricated and welded in. I’m just lost don’t know what to do. More info about the truck rest of body and frame is in good shape truck only has 100k miles. Bought for 9k I know this is going to cost a pretty penny to fix and no the truck isn’t under recall or anything like that already checked

 

Damn, this sucks. Sorry to see/hear this. You may be able to get a patch welded but that’s a bad area to have structural compromise. And if that part of the frame looks like that, I would wager that there are other parts that are similar

 

No bueno. It looks like it’s in the exact area that others posted about finding foam on the inside https://www.tundras.com/threads/water-logged-foam-in-frame.153202/

 

thankfully the rest of the frame is structurally sound and tested the rest so going to a welder to get their opinion and cost is what you recommend?

 

Do you have any recourse against the seller? Many states have laws against this. Get online, then on the phone ASAP.

 

That does not look good and I agree with above. Just from the picture and that shaft which I have never seen a shaft look like that I would say there is more to come.
Sorry that you ended up with that.
Wish you all the luck no matter what you end up doing.

 

thank you for the replies im looking into the law to see what the best course of action is thankfully the bill of sale doesnt say as is because this feels like a safety risk and unsafe to drive

 

Who ever gave you an inspection sticker should’ve failed it. They may be partially liable as well.

Check the rear frame in front of the wheels. There’s a secondary frame support that overlaps the existing frame. That may be corroded in-between as well. With a hole like that, there’s no way the rest of the frame doesn’t have some level of corrosion. I mean hell, look at the front crusty driveshaft.

 

Yeah, that's unfortunate. Did you buy from a dealer, or a private seller? Most have consumer protections in place for when you are sold a vehicle that's dangerous/unfit to drive. You can call your consumer protection division to find out more if you're in the USA.

Did you read the community megathread yet? It has links to products (like from AutoRust) you can use to repair, but it's going to cost $$ and you need to find a shop to do the work unless you're handy with a welder.

If it were me, my first step would be hitting google and searching: State attorney consumer protection division

Once I knew if my state had a CPD, I'd contact the seller, and let them know: The truck has an undisclosed major safety issue, and entire section of frame is rotten away and the frame is cracking, it isn't safe to drive, and you want a full refund. If they rebut, I'd tell them you wanted to give them a chance to do the right thing before contacting the automotive division for the Consumer Protection Division of <your state> and taking legal action. I wouldn't accept anything less than a full refund. I assure you, the seller 100% knew this frame was fucked. Straight up: YOU GOT SWINDLED.

If they refuse, I'd reach out to the CPD. I'd get to their auto department and share with them someone sold you a car with undisclosed, serious rot that makes the vehicle unsafe to drive, and ask what your recourse is. If there is something you can do, roll with it.

Look, it sucks, but lesson learned: Do better research before buying vehicles. The issues with the frames on these trucks is no secret.

It is 100% unsafe to drive. That vehicle shouldn't have been sold. And if it was sold, the frame damage should've been disclosed, it should've been sold "as-is", and it should've been less than half the price.

 

Damn. You got 2 choices

look into the laws/go to court or you just got fucked outta like $7k

 

Time for a tube chassis & long travel.