Toyota Tacoma rust problem

[JDang444]

I know that certain Tacomas have a rusted fram recall. I looked under my truck today and saw a bunch of rust. Is this bad or is this normal wear and tear.

Truck is 2003. Parked outdoors about 1 mile inland from the beach. I drive it just a few days a month. Mileage is 130,000.

Photos were taken directly under front bumper.

[IMG]http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu119/HJC73734/forumpicshares/IMG_20121209_184059.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu119/HJC73734/forumpicshares/IMG_20121209_184110.jpg[/IMG]

Topic

[Daniel]

The abnormal amount of rust is most likely due to a high amount of salt in the air. You may want to take a metal brush to that frame and then spray undercoating on it before it effects any structural components (like those sway bar mounts.)

[Chris Jenkins]

I looked into that recall as my dad has a Tacoma and if I remember correctly the recall was for rust on the inside of the frame rails an went all the way up under the cab. You can call the dealer and they can check the vin to see if you was one of them. You can look the recall up online also. I know for a lot of people they were just giving them a new truck because it was so bad.

[college man]

If your a mile from the beach.Then salt is in the air.
The only way to combat the elements is to wire brush
everything and keep everything painted.Its a chore but
does help.other wise let the rust times roll. B)

[JDang444]

What do you guys think about a spray on Rust Inhibitor such as this:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RLL-248658/

It says it will convert the rust to a flat black paintable surface. Will that neutralize the rust already there? Then I can use some kind of protectant? Any thoughts appreciated.

[Daniel]

I have used that rust stripper stuff before and seemed to half ass work. Of course that was like 15 years ago. I’ll post a link to one that I saw in HotRod magazine.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/body/hrdp_0901_rust_removal_guide/viewall.html

I still feel the best possible solution is going to be a couple wire brush bits for your drill, but that’s just me.

[Wayne]

http://www.por15.com/

Just do a search on it for reviews, this is the only really proven effective application product I know of. And is recommended time and time again. Plenty of things around to “remove” rust, but this actually changes it’s chemical properties, then after hardening acts just like painting would, usually far better, so long as it’s exposure to UV(sunlight) is low.

Once I can get a house with a garage and afford a cheap second car, this will be one of my main goals car-project wise. Do this once to the undercarriage, should be good to go with a bit of touch-up every few years to avoid having a “rust-stang”. Likely do the same to the interior, especially floor-board areas, just about everywhere paint isn’t covering on steel aside from grounds.

[college man]

here is one more product if the rustoleum product does
what it says.thats the way to go.

[toyodagreg]

based on those pictures, toyota would clean up the rust and rust proof it with undercoating. There are tacomas that got bought back, but thats if it was 2000 or older and had a hole in the frame from rusting out.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Based on your pictures I would say that’s normal. In fact the 4Runner I work on from time to time has the same rust. It wouldn’t hurt to clean it up and put rust inhibitor on it but if it were me I’d leave it alone as it doesn’t look out of the ordinary.

[JDang444]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I’m probaby gonna clean it up a bit once spring or summer rolls around. That front sway bar is a little worrysome though. Pics don’t show it but it looks like it bursted.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Spring steal, which is what the sway bar is made of, will break usually if it’s bad. You’re probably just seeing the coating come off of the bar itself. This is normal. You can replace the bar but you may not need to as it may be some time before it breaks.

[Author]

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