No photos But sad tacoma story of today

[tgmaul88]

Today I went to the toyota dealership near by and while pulling in I had noticed a nice looking 2000 tacoma 4x4 5 speed pick up with a white paper stating something of unsafeness, but I asked is that a trade in, he replied, " nope, getting Crushed!"   I bent over and looked at the frame and it was completely gone. the  trucked looked pretty good from up top, but It was the worst frame I have ever seen for such a new toyota.

I proceeded to ask can i buy the motor or trans, anything?     no
has to be crushed.   

oh, only had 78,856 on it


Its just such a shame to see something go to waste.

bad salt conditions
  keep em clean

[tom85]

That sucks. You couldn't even get a salvage tittle for it

[BigMike]

It was the worst frame I have ever seen for such a new toyota.

If the frame was that bad could there even be anything salvageable from under the hood?

[IronClad]

chances are yes

[kneedownnate]

Last real frame on a toyota pickup was in 95.

[Wainiha]

Not only a poosible waste of a motor, and I bet they don't recycle parts like we do.  Stick it all in the landfill.

[IronClad]

Not only a poosible waste of a motor, and I bet they don't recycle parts like we do.  Stick it all in the landfill.

Nah cars that get crushed now days get made into new cars

[tgmaul88]

the  motor was so clean   you could eat off of it

[Rocksurfer]

There's a recall on Taco's for frame issues, they've been buying them back and crushing them if the damage is bad and can't be repaired. The bad part of the recall is no parts can be salvaged at all the entire thing must be crushed.

[Wainiha]

I better tow my Toyota in with a "missing" drivetrain when I get the frame inspected.

[Rocksurfer]

It depends on how bad it is, they may just repair the rust if they can, and I doubt they'll take it without the drivetrain.   

[Wainiha]

I have no frame rust yet.  But I will check it before the deadline.

[Cheesemaker]

Wainiha do they salt the roads heavily in the winter where you live?  They keep wanting to start salting the roads here, and I hope they don't.  Right now they use calcium chloride here and it's just as bad as ice.  Just got to make sure you hose off the undercarriage after the rains come back.  That and the salt air doesn't help my rig any.  That's why I don't go to Sandlake at all. 


I've also heard alot about how thin and weak the Taco frames are too.  I've seen many guys hit a water bar in the hills a little too hard, and bending the front clip and frame. 

[Wainiha]

No salt.  No snow on Kauai.  Plenty of salt air.  Salty beach sand.  Sometimes the winter surf is so big my truck will get covered by spray when at stop sign.

Pisses me off.  I go home and wash my truck. 

Probably just like the Oregon coast and driving the dunes.  Florence was awesome.  Wish I had another 4x at that time.  I was in  an 88 Ford diesel.  Didn't want to chance getting stuck.

Looks like I have 2 more years to check my frame.  (15 years after make)


Tacoma frames and their metal is thin.  I got backed into by a monster Ford's hitch.  Fixed the radiator core support with a fast pull by hand.  I almost pulled out the otherway. 

I don't remember them salting roads there, even in Bend.

[tgmaul88]

Im glad my 4runner frame is from Japan, and is fully boxed in : )   and from inland away from salt. 

just keep an eye on it, any thing helps to fight rust