I'm planning on getting a Tacoma since I just graduated and now have a real job, but while looking at consumer reviews on the 3.4 motors, I came across stuff all over the internet about rust issues and recalls, etc. I had never heard about this before . So, can someone give the the low down on this? Are all tacos affected? Do 2001-2004 models have the same problem?

Thanks

 

I believe the majority is the 95.5-00 taco's. It really depends on if the area you live in has lots of snow and if they use alot of salt or not...
Just check the frame reallllllyyy closely for anything more then surface rust..If theres any bad holes...well, mention that to the owner and buy it for reallllllllyyy cheap..Then go give it to toyota and theyll give ya top dollar for a new taco

haha

 

There was a problem with the anti-rust treatment on some of the taco frames and Toyota will pay top dollar towards a trade in but only to the first "reporting" owner... in other words if the current owner contacted them about the recall or brought the truck in for inspection and did nothing from there or decided to keep it then no soup for you... if they did not report it then you have a chance to get in on the recall when you register yourself as the owner of the truck in question.
All pre-current body style taco owners should stay on top of this recall/by back program as toyota seems to be extending it on a year by year basis since all early style tacos use the same frame and seem to have the same problems...

 

http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.ph...6&topic=6138.0

i called my local dealer and they said they were not sure about the 01-04 being included, but they told me to bring it in anyways

 

so say I did end up getting a taco that had no rust, but had been taken in by a previous owner, what could I do to rust-proof it myself? i ask this because i live in an area that has large amounts of snow, decent amounts of rain, and has salted roads.

 

I have a 4runner with an ourageous amount of rust on it. I got it super cheap, and I am going to coat the whole thing with POR15. I have heard that stuff is amazing both as a treatment and to prevent it.

 

There are many rust prevention steps you can use... POR15 is an excellent treatment to help stop rust that has started and repair damage... Krown rust prevention/control is an excellent company/product that includes a warranty... some folks are trying an electric current device that works well in marine environments... I think a few members here are trying them but I don't know of any results yet...

 

POR 15.

 

Rust is not there if you can't see it

 

Well, its best to sand down as much of the rust as you can before you treat with por15...

but. IIRC the por 15 actually stops and inhibits the form of future rust.
So, If the frame is rusted out, dont just spray it, repair then treat with por.
If its just minor surface rust that doesnt compromise the structural integrity of the frame, then por15 ontop will be fine...

 

I am about to treat the bottom of my Tacoma... how much POR 15 will it take to do the job? A gallon of it is $140, if I can get by with a quart or two and save the cash I might do that.

 

EVERY YEAR i take my hilux in for rust proofing oil spray... the product is krown and it works AMAZING.. its a little over a 100 bucks a year but it lubriactes everything and keeps electronics working top notch.. my 1991 hilux looks better underneath than almost a new truck...


the product also works better than pb blast for getting stuck nuts cracked....

por15 is good if your doing a frame up. resto but youll never get it in all the nooks and crannys... also if its a place that sees sunlight you have to put a coat on top of the por15...

 

That sounds cool, never heard of that. Definetly seems worth it. I usually just crawl under mine every year and spray the ---- out of it. But usually when its hot out and the frame is dry. But she's rust free

Sucks they have this issue