It looks like Toyota will be buying a lot of rusted Tacomas... see Here...

Yeah, it's a link to a Ford forum, but it looks pretty legit.

Wow. It said 1995.5-2000 right now, but I don't think the frames changed through the 2004 model.

Nissan frames rust out just as bad in salty states.

My dad has a 2003 Taco in Wisconsin...he loves that truck.

may be the problem that big?

I mean, to re-buy al the tacomas in the market? :/

At least Toyota is taking action...my 05 van is a piece of sh@t and nissan does not care.

This is very real. My buddies in Maine (SALT STATE) are failing the test. They take a 10lb hammer and slam on the frame. If it breaks Yota pays you 150% of Kelly Blue Book Excellent condition - regardless of your trucks mileage or true condition. The Yota dealership in Maine said that 75% of the Tacomas from those years are failing. I know of Two trucks that have already been traded in for other rigs.

DR, your Dad is out of luck. Turns out in 2000 they treated the frames differently. My friend's 99 Taco 4x4 had the Reese hitch fall off the frame about 2 years ago. Ripped right of the frame! His frame looks much worse than my 1979 Bronco's (was my dad's daily driver in Maine for 20years). Plus my 88 Hardbody (firewall rusted so badly my brake booster detached) had a much better frame than the 99 Taco.

The bottom line is Yota is paying for the trucks and paying top dollar because they will fold right up in an accident and they would sued bigtime! By the way, my buddy is taking the 15K and buying a used Titan strait up. Sounds like a sweet deal to me.

Well, hopefully he's going to be moving out of Wisconsin soon to someplace where it won't rust out.

weird, I am asking the same question. If Toyota is not keeping it under the table how come nothings been said here in the south? My brother manages the local Toyota parts department. He hasn't said anything like this to me in the past 2 years he's been working for Toyota. Maybe like said it's only in the salt belt.

yikes this is way uncool!

Glad mine is a 2004. I skipped on a few before I bought mine (2000-2003) that had chassis rust though I didn't see it in person. Mine is pretty good. West coast truck spent time in snow but not much if any salt. Got the typical surface rust showing where tires and stuff throw rocks on chassis, very minor. No biggie, may get it rust proofed soon, looks like it has had it once. Got a few other probs like lame drivers p/w and check engine light. So off to the dealership next week for warranty work!

I think I will crawl under the truck though this weekend with a 10lb hammer!

Unless they salt the roads where you live, I don't think you need to worry about this. No place in Wyoming salts roads that I know of.

chemical sand here in JH....not salt but still not great for a truck. It does contain a small amount of melting agents. Generally only causes light surface rust but if left on a truck could do more damage.

I know I plowed snow here for many years!

More of a problem here is spring time the resurface the gravel roads. Using what we call mag water. This is real nasty stuff, contains a corrosive agent for penertrating the hard surface and then sealing/making it hard again when it drys. This crap is as bad as salt if not worse!

Well it is official. My other friend just got his check from Yota 13,500. His was a 99 Taco 4x4 5spd with 105,000 miles. Many dents, cruise control didn't work, and very rusty frame (failed with 2 holes in it). Plus he is keeping his new tires (trading them to me for my big bronco so I can put the 33"s back on the super Pat for city cruising. Smiles all around.

wow. I wished I owned a Toyota right now. On a different note. I haven't seen anyone bailing out of their 90's Toyota's here in the south. Must be a northern thing.

you don't exactly get a lot of road salt in Florida.