Would you buy a Tundra with a replacement frame?

Ok please dont fry me for posting a Tundra question up here. You guys have always steered me right so I am looking for some unbiased input.

Anyway, my son is interested in a Tundra. I found a 2001 Tundra locally on craigslist that is in my price range and has decent miles. Unfortunately (or fortunately) the frame was replaced under the Toyota factory recall.

If you were looking for a Tundra would you consider one that has had the frame replaced?

 

I'm sure youd be fine as long as it was replaced by a toyota dealership and is certified

 

My boyfriend's 2000 Tundra had its frame replaced by Toyota. No issues afterwards and he was able to do some other routine maintenance at the same time while the truck was pulled apart. He ended up selling it with full disclosure to the buyer who had no problem with it.

 

This

 

I had mine done..no problems except one plug for the 4wd system was left unplugged. It's like a new truck now. How can you beat a new frame?? I'd say it's a plus!!

 

I agree with jodjr, I think it's a plus

 

I would inspect that it was done right, then buy it in a heartbeat.

 

My concern is....how do you know they put it back together right?
Putting a truck back together in a shop is a bit different then putting it together on an assembly line.

Did the Toyota dealer have to have certain qualifications in order to be eligible to replace a frame or could any Toyota dealer do it?

I saw one being replaced at my local Toyota dealer and I wouldn't trust those A** monkeys to change my oil.

 

The dealership that did mine had jigs and fixtures for holding the bed and cab. The mechanic told me he's done over 100 trucks and had it down to a science. I fully and absolutely knew there would be "issues" when I got it back.
Nothing...I was really impressed. Not even a rattle. The guys were great to work with.
The service manager also gave me paperwork with mine showing a list of every part replaced and the cost. With a total of 13k parts and labor.

 

I don't think it's a problem at all. The guys who get the job to change the frame in a dealer are not the same as the ones who change oil and wipers!

 

I would not have a problem at all with it if it was done by Toyota. If the seller has paperwork on it then all the better.

Does the truck drive straight? Body aligned? Suspension okay? All electrical work?

Maybe work a deal with the seller that if there is a frame replacement related problem that you can take it to the dealer that did it with him/her to get it fixed if still covered. May still have warranty left.

If it was done a while ago then you'd think by now any issues due to the frame swap would have come up/be obvious.

Apart from checking the above I'd just do the normal used car things and make a decision. The replaced frame would be a plus, but would not pay a premium because of it lol.

I often call the local dealer on Toyotas I'm interested in buying. Get the service department and explain that you are looking to buy and you just wanted to see if they could just tell you what service work has been done on it. They can't tell you owner info, but I've found them always to be most helpful on letting me know what work and what miles the truck had on it. Helped with the decision and also helped me avoid buying a Tacoma that needed a lot of expensive work. Owner had it in the shop a few days before, advised needed the work, declined and then put the truck up for sale the next day.

Anyway, if all looks good, the truck checks out, price is right, then go for it.

 

I just got my 02 taco from the dealer with a just recently(within the past few months) replaced frame. It's basically a half new truck. Like others said above if it was done by a reputable toyota dealer it shouldn't have any issues. Ask if they have documentation of work done.

Around here most toyota dealers have done tons of the replacements, so for the most part they have guys who are pretty knowledgeable.

If it checks out i say go for it. When they did mine they did springs, shocks, leafs, as well they always do new fuel and brake lines, usually new LCA's. So what you get is likely going to last even longer than a comparable one with the original frame.

 

The biggest concern that I have about the particular Tundra that I am looking at is that the paperwork I have seen shows that the owner got rid of the Tundra within weeks of the frame replacement. To me this makes me think that there were problems and the owner decided to pass the problems on to someone else.

 

Could be maybe. Either that or while the owner was mucking about at the dealer to get the frame swapped he/she fell in love with a new vehicle and decided to trade. Most new car dealers here will send vehicles that have too many miles or are too old, straight to auction every week. This is a main source for the smaller used car lots.

Comes down to really giving it a look over. Driving it around town and on the highway. Use all the electrics. Everything. If you are serious on the vehicle, condition is good, price is right, then maybe ask the person if you could (on your dime) take it to the local Toyota dealer and have it checked out.

At least then you'd know what it needed if anything when you bought it. If too much wrong with it then you can pass and make a copy for the person to have so that they have the info too. You could tell the dealer about your concern on the frame swap so they can pay particular attention to those areas.

I've had vehicles checked out. Depends on what they do at the dealer. A check over has cost me zero with a printed out list of what they say it needs up to $100 or so which was the supposedly the same service check they go through for when they certify cars (used Toyotas they sell with factory warranty on them) for the used car lot. For me, money well spent.

 

Listed below is a copy of what Toyota has listed regarding the truck. My major concern is that the work was done in August and the owner sold it shortly after. It makes me think he knew something was wrong with it and unloaded it. The Tundra is at a small dealership in Pennsylvania.


All work below was done at Bobby Rahal Toyota in Mechanicsburg Penn.

REPLACE CALIPER ~|~DURING SERVICE VISIT, FOUND LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER SEIZED AND BLEEDER SCREW BROKE IN ATTEMPT TO LOOSEN ~|~ ~|~REPLACE LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER AND LINE TO CORRECT, OK.
Parts
Name Part # QTY
BRAKE FLUID

$11 004751BF03 Genuine Toyota Fluid 00475-1BF03 Brake Fluid - 12 oz.

004751BF03 1
TUBE, FR BRAKE, NO.8 473180C010 1
BULB 9008498039 1
CYLINDER ASSY, DISC 477500C022 1

REPL STABLIZER BUSH ~|~DURING FRAME REPLACEMENT, FOUND FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS WILL NOT LOOSEN, JUST SPIN. ~|~CUT LINKS TO REMOVE ~|~INSTALL NEW SWAY BAR LINKS
Parts
Name Part # QTY
LINK ASSY, FR STABIL 4882034020 2
CUSHION 90540A0001 4
NUT, LOCK 9418401041 2
RETAINER, CUSHION 90948A2004 4
RETAINER, CUSHION 90948A2004 4
BUSH 9090389013 2

REPL DAMPER ASSY. ~|~UNABLE TO LOOSEN SHOCK RETIANING NUTS, JUST SPINS. ~|~CUST SHOCK TO REMOVE ~|~INSTALL NEW REAR SHOCKS.
Parts
Name Part # QTY
ABSORBER, SHOCK, RR 4853109380 2
RETAINER, CUSHION 9094802181 2
NUT 9017912091 2

TUNDRA FRAME MECH. ~|~C/S: BOD ~|~VEHICLES USED IN COLD CLIMATE AREAS WITH HIGH ROAD SALT USE MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER OF THE FRAME. ~|~PERFORMED CAMPAIGN BOD. VISUALLY INSPECTED FRAME-FRAME PASSES TOYOTA'S CRITERIA. REMOVE RUST AND CLEANED FRAME. RUST PERFORATION EXCEEDING MIN. SPECIFICATION FOUND DURING RUST REMOVAL AND CLEANING. REFER TO AOF OP 1608H3 1.1 .1 ADMIN T2600, 5TDKK3DC3CS277

AOF, TUNDRA FRAME ~|~CUSTOMER REQUEST: INSPECT TUNDRA FRAME FOR EXCESS CORROSION AS RECOMMENDED BY LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN AOF ~|~CERTAIN 2000 TO 2003 MODEL YEAR TUNDRA VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION TO THE FRAME POSSIBLE CAUSING PERFORATION TO THE METAL. ~|~INSPECT FRAME FOR METAL PERFORATION CAUSED BY EXCESS RUST, PERFORATION FOUND. REPLACE FRAME AND RELATED PARTS TO CORRECT. 4WD, 0622D4 42.5 + .1 T2600, 5TDKK3DC3CS277154
Parts
Name Part # QTY
FRAME SUB-ASSY 040002530C 1
BUMPER SUB-ASSY, FR 4830434020 2
BUMPER SUB-ASSY, FR 4830534020 2
COMMON REPLACEMENT K 0400949234 1
LSPV 1 0400949434 1
COMMON REPLACEMENT K 040094970C 1
BRAKE TUBE KIT 2 040095020C 1
SHACKLE KIT, RR SPRI 044830C030 2
GASKET, DRAIN PLUG 1215710010 1
RING, O RADIATOR 1649221050 1
RETAINER, CONVERTER 1849538020 2
GASKET 2323241081 1
RING, DRIVE SHAFT SN 4342504020 2
TUBE, RR BRAKE, NO.3 473230C012 1
TUBE, FR BRAKE, NO.1 473610C012 1
BAND SUB-ASSY, FUEL 7760134040 1
BAND SUB-ASSY, FUEL 7760334060 1
GASKET, EXHAUST PIPE 9008043034 2
GASKET 9043012026 2
GASKET 9043024003 1
PIN, COTTER 9538104045 2
NUT, W/WASHER 9017912144 2
BOLT, WASHER BASED H 90105A0013 2
ARM SUB-ASSY, SUSPEN 4806834020 1
ARM SUB-ASSY, SUSPEN 4806934020 1
STEERING FLUID 9832 1

REPL REAR BULB ~|~ ~|~ ~|~REPLACE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT BULB, OK. REPLACE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB, STILL INOPERATIVE. LAMP DAMAGED, WILL NEED DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF INOPERATIVE CONDITION.

 

I had my 1st gen tacoma's frame replaced and it probably extended the life I got from that truck by 5 years or maybe more. Getting new brakelines and suspension were probably the biggest side benefits, and the only problem I had was the guys forgot to tighten the exhaust bolts and it triggered a CEL, but a minute under the truck with a ratchet fixed it so overall it was an entirely positive experience. I wouldn't hesitate to get the tundra if the frame is the only question you have about it.

 

Could be something wrong. Not sure if they fixed the rear light, something to check.

Could be that the owner just got it into his head that he did not trust it perhaps. Hard to tell the state of mind. Maybe it took too long for them to do and he got impatient and traded it. Maybe there is a short on that rear light that either was existing or they pinched/shorted a wire to it when they did the frame swap and he/she feared that there may be issues and got rid of it. OR maybe he/she walked around the dealer while they were working on it and sat in some of the new ones and got talked into trading the truck off. You never know.

Of what you listed above it looks like standard stuff. Obviously it had some corrosion as that is the main issue with the repairs. Have a good look under there and see what you think of the condition now.

The caliper bolt, corrosion. The links, corrosion. The shocks, sounds like corrosion again. The plus is that these things have been fixed. The other stuff listed look like safety items they put on (brake lines example) while doing the frame swap and items they needed to do the job.

Only thing is the rear brake light that not sure they fixed or not.

If you are serious about the truck then just look it over really well and test it out. Bring a blanket with you and look the underneath over good for corroded suspension bolts etc. etc. or have them put it on the rack for you to look at.

All comes down to if you want the truck, price is good and how it looks and drives. If the truck does not feel right to you or you just don't have a good feeling about it then just walk away.

If all checks out as previously posted then the new frame and pieces is a plus to me at least.

Cheers

 

Bobby rahal is actually a decent dealership (coming from experience with them) if it is being sold there voice your concerns to them and find out if they have a warranty on the truck, may only be 3 months 3000 miles, but if the previous owner sold the truck that fast because of something wrong, you should be able to notice it in that time. Talk to the dealer as they would be able to answer more questions for you

 

Looking at another Tundra now. This is what toyota says about this vehicle.

2/17/2012
OWNER REQUEST RECALL BOD ~|~ ~|~REMOVED RUST AND CLEANED FRAM E, FRAME RUST PERFORATION EXCEED S MINIUM SPECIFICATION , NEED FRAME REPLACED NEEDS SWAY BAR LINK S, REAR SHOCKS AND HARDWARE , LOWER SHOCK BOLTS, EXHAUST SYSTEM, OWNER ADVISED MAY NEED FURTHER PARTS IF FRAME REPLACED

It appears to me that the owner had it serviced on 2/17/2012 and sold it on 3/21/2012 so this makes me nervous.
From what I read the owner did not get the frame replaced and just got it cleaned. Since it was identified to need the frame replaced does that mean that I could have the frame replaced if I buy it or was that limited to the owner at the time it was diagnosed?

 

To me that sounds way worse than that first one you posted.