ianshoots

No news being good news, its been a while since I've been on the board (work, the motorcycle, new girlfriend, blah blah blah). So being back there must be something wrong.

I was aware the I was suffering from some pretty bad frame rust near the leaf spring hangers (forward frame attachemtn point, as opposed to the shackles in the rear, correct terminology I hope). Friday night I became aware of just how severe this problem is/was.

While in traffic the drivers side hanger let go, axle slipped back and my drive shaft dropped. Obviously the axle can be moved back, drive shaft re-connected, etc. The question's are:

1)Anyone on here ever hear of this happening or am I just the most neglectful tacoma owner ever?

2)Does this sound like something that can be fixed? If so, would it be worth it? I'm sure somewhere out there someone could repair my frame, but with an 11 year old truck, is it worth it? It runs perfectly (or it did, it just sits now).

I'm amazed I'm not more freaked out by this, but I'm sure it will hit me soon.
I need to dig up my camera, then I will post some pictures of my shame.

SoCalPaul

You're not alone:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/a...s-read-139405/

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/9...recall-140464/

ianshoots

Wow, if this is still in effect it would be awesome! that's what I get for not paying attention to the forums for a while.

SoCalPaul

Probably spending too much time with the girlfriend

SoCalPaul

Make sure you take anything good out of it (IE: Radio, wheels, etc) before you take it to the dealer. I hear that they practically impound it immediately & only let you remove your personal belongings. (some employees are exchanging the goodies & selling them for profit.)

Good luck,
Paul

ianshoots

I'd want to keep the cap, and the bumper/winch/lights, I reckon they could have the rest. On the upside, its hard to move, so I might have a shot to get my goods off

Jay204

My friend is cashing in his 99' next month. He's completley stripping off all his after-market stuff and putting back on the stock stuff. I believe you only have a certain amount of time to contact toyota and tell them about the corrosion on the frame, it may even be too late. I heard there was a deadline.

ianshoots

I contacted Toyota USA directly today, since its undriveable. The phone rep sent my case to Russell Toyota here in Baltimore. I'll let you all know how things unfold. Thanks for the rapid response boys, YT continues to rule!

Ohio4R

No it lasts up to 15 years from whenever your tacoma was made.

cackalak han

Wow, that is scary. Glad you didn't end up hurting yourself or others. Are you going to get another Tacoma?

bigt

why havent they included 4runners?? just cause they are coil sprung?

Whitey13

The 4Runner frames were made in Japan and the frames in question were made in the U.S.


Looks like you just hit the lottery.

NHS

yes, you have 15 years from the date it was purchased. My wife is a Toyota service writer. Your truck needs too pretty much have what it had when it was sold new. She had a guy yell at her saying he just spent 800 bucks on tires. Well he got about 12,000 grand back for a piece of crap truck that had about 225k on it. Some people!!

They let people get what they want off that is not stock at her dealer. I can't say for others though. There is so many people though that leave there caps or nice stereo's and alot have brand new tires.

It does take some time though for the process to go through.

Good deal if you have owned your rig since new.

Wish I had about 5 or 6 of them.

kawicowboy

So I have a 96 Taco and the frame appears to be pretty good, if the warrenty is up to 15 years that means I still have 3 years in hopes of it rusting out. Would this be an accurate assumption

NHS

I would call Toyota with your Vin and make sure it qualifies. I know in the northeast it's the worst.

Ohio4R

yeah i worked for toyota over the summer as a porter and a guy came in with 2 of them barely even drove them as they were farm trucks, not sure how much he got...

ianshoots

On thursday Karen, the service manager from Russell Toyota called me. Yesterday I had my truck towed to their shop (I had to pay for the tow, oh well). Showing just how far gone my truck is, they didn't even bother bringing it into a bay, they just sent me straight to the guy who hands out loaners. I was told it might take up to 30 days for the company that does the buy backs to contact me (I belive they are called LTS), I have a 08 double cab with locker until then. Not bad.

Will I get another tacoma? Dunno, the new one feels a lot bigger, maybe I'd hunt down an 03 or 04... I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

Corey

iTrader: (1)

Ian, glad you are being taken care of, and that you found your info here on the recall.

ianshoots

Thanks Corey!
Toyota is buying my baby back for $10,845. Not bad, but all in all I'd rather it had never rusted so we could drive into the sunset together. I'm not really digging the loaner tacoma I have, the old one was the perfect size. I'm keeping an eye out for an 01-04, not sure that I'll get one right away (well, I don't have the check yet, anyway) or wait for the perfect deal on the perfect truck.