Collins_3

I found my way to your site primarily because of problems with my 06 Tacoma. I'd like to do some off road upgrades, but I'm wondering if it is worth the time and money. This is my third Toyota. I had an '87 which was great, and a 93 which was not as good, but still worked well. I've had an '06 Taco since it was new. It had a bad drive shaft when I bought it, the AC compressor only lasted 3 years ($1,100 to repair), the speeometer was off by 7mph at 55mph (I had to uy a Tru-speed), the entire brake system - from the brake lines out - had to be replaced at 44,000 miles ($1,000 to repair). I can look at these and say - bad luck. But the worst things are that the frame is rusting badly, and if I put 500 lbs in the back, it looks like it wants to pop a wheely. I could pile firewood in my '87 until it was a foot above the roof, and it wouldn't settle an inch. I can fix that, but with the frame rusting so badly and the defects I've had so far, I'm wondering if it is worth spending money on. Have other users had quality problems like these? Any suggestions on how to stop the frame rust?

Fink

Wow, that's a laundry list of problems for an '06.

I've had my '07 since August of that year, have about 44k miles on it and as of now (knock on wood) I've only had the rear leaf spring TSB done and regular maintenance.

I do have an annoying rattle coming from the middle of my dash but that's really the only problem I've ever had with it.

How do you drive it? Easy on the throttle? Get on it all the time? Ride on rough roads a lot? Wash it frequently?

The frame rust is based a lot on the climate you live in and the weather you experience.

Some more info about all of that would help us figure it out.

Fink

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

lets see some of this rust... take some pictures.

Collins_3

Fink - Thanks for your response. I drive this vehicle with a light foot. I pull a pop-up camper about 800 miles per year, and a 2500 lb boat about 20 miles per year. I rarely go over 65. Minor off road stuff - logging roads for hunting. I once drove it 640 miles on dirt roads to go fishing in central Quebec - the truck handled great the whole way. It has 45K on it now.

I do live near Syracuse NY - they don't call it the "salt city" for nothing - so I do expect rust. But of 5 cars in my houshold ranging back to a 1993 jeep wrangler, my 2006 is the newest vehicle and has the rustiest frame. The body is great - it is just the frame.

In response to Vital22re's post requesting photos of the rust, I'll try to do that soon, but they won't tell the whole story. I spent about 40 hours under it last summer wire brushing, sanding priming and painting. But I can see breakthrough already.

Kudos on your fire service.

Fink

I think it's a proven fact that "they just don't make 'em like they used to" but I still say it's rare all of the problems you are having.

I treat mine like a trophy and it shows, hardly had any problems with her at all and she runs like a champ - minus the dang dash rattle that i am about to have Toyota just fix.

Post up some pics of the undercarriage when you get a chance.

It sounds to me like you've just had bad luck and that the "salt city" is getting the best of your rig's underside.

Cheers and thanks for the kudos,

Fink

pruney81

I think I read that the new frames are made by Dana and I know a few people out here in Mass with those new Tacomas and their frames look worse than my 90.

Pumpkinyota

Hmmm, wierd, I have an '06 taco that has never had a single problem, and I smash the hell out of it!

pruney81

^^^Yeah, but you're not going to have rust issues in California.