Tundra trouble

[wdfifteen]

I was under the truck a few weeks ago and noticed something funny sticking out from behind one of the rear crossmembers. I poked at it and out fell a 2 1/2 long, 1/4 inch thick chunk of the frame. There is no rust-through, and Toyota requires a 10 mm diameter hole clear through the frame before they will replace it. I've been watching the truck and this was really, truly the last straw. If it was the only rusty place on the frame I wouldn't worry, but it's only the worst - so far. It would probably be fine for commuting or hauling light loads, but I don't think it's going to stand up to having a 6000 lb trailer jerking along behind it. I've been keeping my eye on the truck market. I don't like what I see.

[wdfifteen]

I don't know what caused this Tundra to rust so bad. The body is great, but underneath - ugh! Suspension parts, steering rack, and now the frame. Even the cast iron differential casting has chunks coming off of it.

[unclebilly]

My 2011 with just under 200,000 kms is going in next week for a front diff rebuild under warrantee. I want to get this done first, then I am going to ask for an alignment so if there are any worn suspension components, they can get replaced too before the warrantee runs out...

[Bugsinrugs]

My son's 2001 Tacoma was with him back in New York for four years. He moved back here to The Bay Area and needed me to fix his front brakes. They were surging when he was lightly applying pressure. Holy cow! The under carriage had rusted badly from the salted roads. The rotors had rust spots on them causing the surging. I would never buy a used vehicle from the land of salted roads.

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

My son's 2001 Tacoma was with him back in New York for four years. He moved back here to The Bay Area and needed me to fix his front brakes. They were surging when he was lightly applying pressure. Holy cow! The under carriage had rusted badly from the salted roads. The rotors had rust spots on them causing the surging. I would never buy a used vehicle from the land of salted roads.

Agreed, smart advice...When looking for my last truck, I rode my motorcycle 200 miles with cash in had to buy a Tacoma that look nice in the pictures. Was gonna load up the MC and bring it home.

1st hint of rust issues were looking under the hood. I then looked underneath,, Holy Chit......Only then I learn this guy had it in Ohio when he was in the Military........Rode my motorcycle home in the rain and bought a Mazda the next week. I was 4 years newer and $2,000 less money....

[flatbutt]

I just had the undercoating on my '06 Taco done for the 2nd time on Toyotas dime. They did it last year but it starting falling off in chunks two weeks ago. They ain't what they used to be.

[wdfifteen]

I've been looking at trucks and wracking my brain to find a solution. I really, really like my 2003 Tundra and I'm not that fond of new ones. I've looked at Ford, Chevy, Toyota, and Dodge come away thinking, "meh." I looked at several 2000-2006 Tundras - gawd they maintain their value! I found a great 2003 with 102k miles, they wanted $13k for it!

Soooo, My board of directors (my wife and I) met and decided I would sell my Tundra and the corp would sell its Silverado and the corp would buy a 2016 Tundra SR5 to do the job of both of them. We leased the truck, but after driving it over the weekend I knew I was going to buy it at the end of the lease. I looked at the numbers - it was going to cost $38k w/taxes etc to buy it outright and $44k to lease then buy in 3 years. One of the factors was that it pissed me off that they insisted I buy scratch and dent insurance for $795 and pay a $350 "disposal" fee at the end of the lease. I went in Monday and said, "What if I buy the truck at the end of the lease?" They said, "You still have to pay us to sell it to you." (they used different words but that's what it amounted to) I said, "F- that, tear up the lease and I'll pay cash right now."



A big plus of the '16 is alloy wheels. My steel wheels rusted and make the truck look like he11. But it's a truck, and over the years looking like he11 with all its cuts and scrapes has kind of become a badge of honor.



It's bigger than my '03, which is one of the reasons I don't like it as much. The hood line is higher, but it drops off on the corners and visibility isn't as bad as with the Ford. The bed sides are higher (although the floor is about the same) and the seat bottom is about 2" higher. I've got running board style steps on order to help climbing in and out of it. I'm considering having it lowered a couple of inches but I don't know what that would do to the warranty.



The dash has a lot of do-dads that I might never use, but the heater system has real knobs to control the fan, temp, and distribution AND it has a back-up camera - both of these features are HUGE for me.



I love the simplicity of the '03 dash. I can control the heat and radio without taking my eyes off the road because they have knobs.



I put a BedRug bed liner in it and I've got a cap and running board steps on order.

[Bugsinrugs]

Very nice....I approve!

[herr_oberst]

The size of that new Tundra just makes me want to keep my 92 4WD with a non rusted frame and suspension forever.

I drove my neighbors 2014 F150 and man, that thing is huge. You sure don't have to worry about rubbing shoulders with the passenger! Like a school bus!

I could do a light restoration and be happy for a while, I would think.............

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Congratulations Patrick! Yeah, that thing is huge. I parked next one recently and just like your pic, it dwarfed my 2001 Tundra. Have fun with it!

[john70t]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

It's bigger than my '03, which is one of the reasons I don't like it as much.

All new cars and trucks have diabetes.

I dare you to go out on a snowy weekend night.
Out-on-the-town with the lady. Special night out. Make it a memory. Try not to ruin it.
I double-dares ya.

Traffic impatient stacked up behind.
Try to parallel park that thing downtown with a foot of fresh snow, and not have an accident.
That new Toyota bloated hippo cage was made for crashing into stuff.
Cops insurance paperwork ensue.
Sit and wait.

This is how a vehicle changes the driver.
This is why I do not like the new manufacturer offerings.

[wdfifteen]

Looks like I sold my beloved Tundra. A guy came by Friday and wanted to see service records and to take it in for a PPI on Tuesday. I told him he is a very astute buyer and I support being careful and knowing what you are buying, but if someone comes along with the asking price, the truck is sold. This morning (Saturday) a young man (30s) came over with his dad, looked the truck and said "I'll take it." At the full asking price. He's got a Tacoma with a rusted frame and he knows what to look for. I told him about the rust in my frame and he said compared to his Tacoma mine is like a new truck. He's coming with the rest of the money and picking up the title Monday.
I'm going to shed some tears when that truck goes down the drive for the last time. I've driven a lot of miles and a lot of adventures with that truck.

[wdfifteen]

The new owner drove away in my truck this evening. I took it for one last drive around the block before he got here, thought about all we've been through. I've driven it from Quebec to Alberta, all the 48 contiguous states, zig zagged down the length of Mexico from Juarez to the Guatemala border and back. The think that sticks in my mind the most is those cold snowy mornings when I'd go out at 4 AM and hooked up the trailer to haul my tractor to town to clear the parking lot. It was a real working partner. I couldn't begin to name all the crap I've hauled in that thing. I'm really going to miss it. The guy asked me if I was going to miss it and I just had to walk away. When he left I cried like a baby. I feel like I've closed a 12 year long chapter in my life. Damn...

[aigel]

Was that supposed to be in green?

That's not even a lot of miles!

Congrats on the new truck. But I don't get why you'd buy another Toyota - big and thirsty too ...

G

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Is there a 12 step program in your area to help you through this difficult time?

[yetibone]

I tend to keep vehicles for a long time too, so, I can sympathize. When I traded in my old Supra for a '95 Z71, I also had a flashback of good times, and places been in that car that stuck with me for a few days.

I missed it instantly, but I needed a truck, and fixing it, or selling it outright with a serious oil consumption and ring problem wasn't an option.

Looking at it one last time before I drove away was a breathless moment.


That new Tundra looks large. Like, Ford Super Duty large, but I've driven one before, and to me, they're no harder to operate than any other full size truck. Good ride, too.

[wdfifteen]

A few weeks ago I noticed the left fog light was missing in my 2016 Tundra. Actually, the plastic bracket had broken and it was inside the bumper cavity. The glass doesn't appear to have suffered any impact, but Toyota would not warranty it. Toyota wanted $65 for the parts and $85 labor to install it.

I searched eBay and found an entire OEM fog light kit complete with both lights, wiring harness, and switch for $45. I bought it. I can't swear it's OEM, but it appears to be exactly like the original.
It took me all of 20 minutes to replace it.

[Bugsinrugs]

Well, I picked this puppy up two weeks ago. Not too many bells and whistles. It has the suspension that I wanted. Nice ride but it sucks gas. I knew that going in.

[wdfifteen]

I didn't know they sold them in Australia. How do you like RHD.

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

Well, I picked this puppy up two weeks ago. Not too many bells and whistles. It has the suspension that I wanted. Nice ride but it sucks gas. I knew that going in.

Looks like it "Hugs" the road well?????? Just an observation?