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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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Toyota Tacoma Frame Crack
So after a few months of metal on metal banging, I took my 2005 Toyota Tacoma into Bob Baker Toyota in Lemon Grove. I can’t say enough about the
service department here. They are 100% professional and straight shooters. I initially thought the sound was from some missing bolts on the bumper
but after replacing those realized that was not the case.
I went out with the service manager on a test drive to listen to the noise. He said he speak with the technician and get back to me. Well it turns
out the frame has a crack in it. The service adviser was dumbfounded and had never seen this. He did suggest there was an issue a while back with
cracked frames but it did not involve my truck.
So far, my truck has been in for three recall issues and a number of warranty issues. But based on the wear and tear Baja places on it, I am
moderately happy with my Tacoma. The service adviser is going to call Toyota on Tuesday and see what, if anything, they can do for me. He said not
to get my hopes up based on the 112k miles I have on it but anything is possible. He also said he thinks a good weld job should save the integrity of
the frame.
My question to all you Nomads is what do you think Toyota will do or if they should do anything? Seems to me a frame should last longer but we’ll
see.
Either way, it’s all good and we’ll see how it all plays out.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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bummer. my tundra has a c channel frame rail (weaker than a box frame) and i'd assume yours does too. keep your fingers crossed. maybe they'll take
care of you. too bad it doesn't qualify for the frame replacement....
fingers crossed.
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sd
Nomad
Posts: 487
Registered: 3-19-2008
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I would expect Toyota to take care of this unless your truck was involved in an accident. I have 178,000 miles on my 2007 Highlander and it runs like
new. Took it in yesterday for an oil change, and it needs nothing.
My original battery was replaced prior to a Baja trip at 130,000 miles, and it was still good.
My next car will be a Toyota, no surprises and dependable!
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Best of luck, how awful.
Where is the crack located? How long is it? I am assuming if it's making noise it is monstrous.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DavidE
Best of luck, how awful.
Where is the crack located? How long is it? I am assuming if it's making noise it is monstrous. |
Actually the noise isn't so bad but definitely noticeable. The crack looks like "chipped paint" according to the adviser. The good news is that I
should be able to save the frame with a weld...hopefully Toyota steps up, though.
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
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Mood: mellow
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If its a C frame they should also weld in a gusset.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
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Just because it's a c-frame that it's weaker than box frame. It depends on the tensile strength of the metal used. Look at the medium duty trucks
-they have c-frames - and many are rated up to 26k lbs.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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You should have let more air out of the tires.
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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| Quote: | Originally posted by rts551
You should have let more air out of the tires. |
Thanks for the excellent advice 
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8946
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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Baja can take a toll on any vehicle. For example, my body bushings were completely ground into dust after 7 years of Baja travels and hard 4WD
trails.
Question: Did you check your body bushings for body on frame contact? This might be a neglected area that possibly lead to frame failure. While
these parts are not Genuine Toyota parts - which may void your warranty, I would consider installing new body bushings like the ones I have pictured
here.
Body mount bushing (Before)
Body mount bushing (After)
Bent rim - I could not get tires to balance - wonder why?? 
Baja travel is much more punishing on our vehicles than we would like to think.
Personally, I think Toyota will weld your frame, but will probably ask you to sign a liability waiver for future actions due to the compromised nature
of the vehicle as a whole. Don't tell them that you ever took the pickup truck off road and/or Baja (if you haven't volunteered that information
already).
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64851
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Online
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Bummer... but things do wear out after enough use or abuse. I have been hard on my trucks, but I can't break them... only dent the underside or bend a
bumper (on the Mision Santa Maria Road)!
My '01 Xtra Cab had 136,000 trouble free miles in under 5 years. The only thing I replaced on it was a water pump at 90,000 miles (it didn't fail, but
had a drip).
My '05 Double Cab had 102,000 miles on it in just over 4 years... the rear suspension was too soft (I added Ride Rites and solved the issue)... the
brakes were noisy for a bit and I didn't like the ABS not stopping in wet or dirt roads.. and the 'spiral/ clock-spring cable' failed and that made
the air bag warning light come on... that was the only failure that truck had.
My '10 Double Cab has only 37,000 miles in 2.5 years... and it is perfect (so far). A drip from the speedometer cable cap when it was new was fixed,
and they gave me a loaner car while they kept it overnight to be sure. The ABS brakes on it stop the truck fine in all conditions.
All three were/ are 4WD TRD OFF ROAD TACOMAS.
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8946
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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David,
If you had kept the '01 Tacoma, I am sure you might have had major repair issues like Baja Boy does.
It might be time for Baja Boy to trade up to a newer vehicle - his Tacoma has already had a number of warranty and recall issues, and after more than
a decade, any vehicle can get worn down requiring rebuilding/replacement of critical parts.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajaboy
| Quote: | Originally posted by rts551
You should have let more air out of the tires. |
Thanks for the excellent advice |
Seriously, is the crack in a non-stress area (like up by the bumper) or in a stress area (by motor mounts or suspension mounts)?
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by rts551
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajaboy
| Quote: | Originally posted by rts551
You should have let more air out of the tires. |
Thanks for the excellent advice |
Seriously, is the crack in a non-stress area (like up by the bumper) or in a stress area (by motor mounts or suspension mounts)?
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From what I understand it's by the motor mount on the driver's side.
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: thriving in Baja
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IMPLIED or SECRET WARRANTY
Implied Warranties
Implied warranties are not written or spoken, but automatically apply when you purchase a car (unless the car is sold "as is"). There are two types of
implied warranties: the implied warranty of merchantability and the implied warranty of fitness.
Implied Warranty of Merchantability
The implied warranty of merchantability assures that an automobile will work as expected, given its age and condition. This usually means that the car
is in average condition for the price paid and is fit for safe and reliable transportation. It does not guarantee a perfect car.
Implied Warranty of Fitness
The implied warranty of fitness applies when you buy an automobile with a specific purpose in mind. If you make the seller aware of your purpose for
the car (for example, to climb your steep driveway) and rely on the seller's judgment to select a suitable car, the implied warranty of fitness
guarantees that the car will work for that purpose.
In most states, implied warranties last forever. In a few states, however, the length of the implied warranty is the same as that of
any express warranty that comes with the automobile.
Secret Warranties
Many automobile manufacturers have "secret warranty" or "warranty adjustment" programs. Under these programs, the manufacturer will do free repairs on
vehicles with persistent problems, even after the warranty expires, in order to avoid a recall and bad press. According to the Center for Auto Safety
(www.autosafety.org), at any given time there are approximately 500 secret warranty programs available through automobile manufacturers.
Unfortunately, manufacturers don't advertise these programs. So, a car owner often won't know about the available relief unless he or she complains
about a problem and demands that the manufacturer repair it after the warranty has expired. In a few states, including California, Connecticut,
Virginia, and Wisconsin, manufacturers are required to tell eligible consumers about secret warranty programs -- usually within 90 days of adopting
the program.
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/car-warranties-basics...
Bob Durrell
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: In love!
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My pre-Tacoma Toyota PU with pop-top camper driven to work by an old lady schoolteacher cracked just behind the front A-Arm. Guess she should not have
taken the Pole Line Road shortcut so often.
I did not expect Toyota to do anything and got it welded/plated with no more problems.
Neal
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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I would make sure any welding process was done correctly to include possibly a second opinion.
When welding steel a material transformation process takes place (from the heat) that effects the tensile strength around the weld. In other words,
if done incorrectly more problems, including catastrophic failure, could occur later.
That is why welders are taught to never weld vertically on a frame unless using a gusset.
I am sure there are some engineers or welders out there that can give you better info. Mine is only from the perspective of a manager in the aircraft
maintenance business (and from off-road racing).
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Cooke
David,
If you had kept the '01 Tacoma, I am sure you might have had major repair issues like Baja Boy does.
It might be time for Baja Boy to trade up to a newer vehicle - his Tacoma has already had a number of warranty and recall issues, and after more than
a decade, any vehicle can get worn down requiring rebuilding/replacement of critical parts. |
We're in the process of buying another place and thus are holding off on a new car purchase. I'm also holding my breath that maybe, just maybe, one
of the new models will get better mpg. But trust me, I've looked at the double cab more than once especially now that the kids are getting bigger.
I'm hoping I can wait a bit longer, though. Again this truck has been just okay....not like my 93 Taco which went anywhere.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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i'm always on the lookout for one of these.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Synaivsh80w
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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my question...
did you buy the truck "brand new" or did it have a first owner
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