More frame problems

I saw the words "wax coating" and instantly thought of what GM has been using on their newer trucks, you can literally scratch that stuff off with your fingernail, exposing the bare metal of the frame (GM quality at its finest there). I had to walk out to the garage and check out my 18' and 19' frame, can happily report that they passed the fingernail scratch test LOL. Side note, over the holidays I did notice that my uncles 17' sport had more visible rust on the frame by the rear wheels than my 18', and I drive more sh*tty roads than he does....

 

It's interesting that Utah isn't included in the list of states. It's rarely above freezing all winter and the roads are almost always covered in salt/brine all winter. We're not as rusty as some states, but we certainly meet the criteria of cold and salt/brine used.

 

Nebraska should also be included as well.

 

Plus there's a huge salt lake although the prevailing humidity is a lower than next to other salty bodies of water.

 

It’s my understanding if they coat the frame they will then warranty the frame for 12 years. What’s wrong with that? If I fix it they won’t warranty it.

 

ND should be on there as well.....corrosive crap they use on our roads - all 3 of my Toyota's are white right now (only 1 left the factory with white paint)

 

To keep them cheap. It’s why Fords cost more. Toyota purposely puts cheap frame coating on. It’s embarrassing and unethical that they still do this to people. The science of preventing frame rust through proper coating is well understood. Toyota chooses to fuck you around on this detail.

 

I was about to post that...I can go pick chunks of salt off my truck..wish we were included in that.

 

I'm gonna need this 19 for about 8 years and maybe 10. It better not rust out. At least it's in a garage half it's life.

 

Depends I think on how long you expect to keep the truck. The coating they use doesn't stop the corrosion and actually traps moisture so it speeds up. At that point it's a gamble that at the 12 year mark it'll be perforated and you get a new frame. If it does at 12 years + one day then what? You're out of luck with a coating that is working against you.

I choose to use Fluid Film (or anything similar, linseed oil, etc.) and be able to see and repair any rust instead. Then if it's failed at 12 years in a spot I couldn't see then fine but if it hasn't I hopefully haven't screwed myself long term. I kept my 1991 until 2015 because I took care of it and I was hoping to get this one to 15 or 20 years old, too. It's only got 95k miles on it right now.

ETA: As far as it needing to be done for the warranty, that could be a problem. For whatever reason Toyota didn't specify doing the CRC coating on my truck when I had it inspected and so it wasn't a question.

 

I believe humidity/dew point is a key factor. Yes, Western states use as much salt as Eastern states, but the low humidity in the West must be a major factor IMO.

 

Toyota rolled out model year and state coverage over time. Colorado trucks on the 2005-2010 one were in a second round, maybe due to number affected or production of replacement frames. Not sure the reasoning. For a long time Colorado trucks were fairly immune to rust but now all the municipalities are using sodium chloride brine because it's quite a lot cheaper than mag chloride, so our cars (as well as plow trucks and bridges) are rusting a lot faster now than 10+ years ago.

 

Long Island between the salt on the beaches and the salt on the road there is really no avoiding it. Praise be to CRC for their undercoating!!!

 

Got my letter today...

 

Anyone who buys a Toyota and lives in a salty winter environment should hit their frame with rust protectant each year, period. There are TW members living in the rust belt who have pristine undercarriages because they undercoat and clean each year. Don’t wait and play victim. Coat the frame inside and out and hit the layered areas with a spray tube and you’ll be fine.

 

I'm with you 100%.. I've kept my 2006 and 2016 looking new underneath. I use Corrosion Free each fall. Hand touch-up with can in spring. I also have never had a squeak or anything from under there.

 

The 18/19 has a silicone type rubber sealant on the places where the frame is layered and the seams are supposedly sealed ....
From what I see this only prevents liquid from draining out further speeding up the process

Now this isn't very environmentaly friendly or a clean job but in my Ford's I use clean cheap transmission fluid in a sprayer and on a hot day spray high up on the frame and let it soak down then get up under it wiping it with rags and rubber gloves spreading it around then let it set for a day then with nothing more than water hose it down

 

My 17 Tacoma goes in for the frame recall the first of February. I was told it will be there for 2 days and they will provide a loner car. They have to clean and prep the frame and then apply the CRC they are using. It was inspected last month. They said I had not problems with mine but I live in Ohio.

 

Rust is about the only thing that makes me happy I live in California. Of course Toyota made sure to extend the frame warranty for my benefit but they are fighting me on the white paint issue.

 

I can confirm, at least my 2018 is coated with some sort of wax-like goo that looks like congealed fluid film. Here are some close-up pics of the holes and pins from the splash skirt on the front drivers side fender well...