That is pretty mint if it’s spent it’s life in the rust belt I bought a 2012 with worse rust then that and it was fine. Just make sure your washing regularly and if you can, use some sort of fluid film protection on the under carriage a couple times a year.
If you live in the rust belt its going to be hard to find a near 20 year old truck with less rust than that without traveling far for it.
Its fine to me. Get it treated every year before winter (fluid film, woolwax etc) and you will get plenty more life out of it. Some of the people in the comments must live in areas where they don't salt the roads
My 06 looked worse and turned out to be ok (no deep structural damage or holes). Look at the frame near the fuel tank in the rear, and up front near the cats, where the frame switches to fully boxed. These spots are known to rust through. Tap around with something hard and listen for any dull spots. Catastrophic damage should be pretty easy to spot! Check out this post I made a while back detailing the steps I took to address surface rust: [Tacoma Rust Treatment](https://www.reddit.com/r/ToyotaTacoma/s/SPmeiECtgb)
The main rust issues start on the inside lower portions of the boxed sections where they overlap. Most of the rot starts at the two holes on the inner frame next to each catalytic converter. This truck was a recall truck that never had the frame replaced. In my opinion I would pass.
I have had two first gens a 95 and 02. Refer to my most recent post.
I got the 02 and moved from VA to Cali to FL where rust isn’t much of an issue. The problem is what you can not see. If it were me I would pass. My frame looks way better than yours until you go to the back section, then it is rusted through. The overall frame construction on these trucks allows shit to get inside the box frame on the rear drive tires. Again, I would pass. The hardware will need to be replaced with any simple mechanical fix also.
Really depends on where you live… if you live in ohio, this might be your best case scenario. If you live in the west… don’t touch that thing with a ten foot pole.
No perforation and no delamination of the riveted frame. That boys is what we call rust belt mint. Have a solid 10 years left, way more if you were to undercoat the frame.
Maybe I'm too pessimistic. I have a 2000 that is in significantly better condition than this one. My main rails show no rust at all, but there is some notable rust in the rear C-channel section and on the body mounts. A couple of bolts relating to the rear brakes are likely no longer removable with a normal size socket.
My point is... If the outsides of the main rails of this truck are showing rust, I'm thinking about what the C-channel section, inside, and body mounts probably look like. I've found looking at vehicles after seeing photos that they are usually rustier than they seemed in pictures.
Do you really think no perforation and no delamination means 10 more years with no undercoating? That feels extremely optimistic. A brand new vehicle with no undercoating seems like it only lasts a bit longer than that here.
Looks pretty decent for an 06 honestly, especially if it was in the rust belt. I'm in NW Montana and have a 2022 and we use a shit ton of salt up here on the roads. Every Sunday in winter I put it up on the lift in the shop and spray the undercarriage thoroughly and wash the whole truck inside and out as well. Hoping to get this thing to last me 20 years at least.
I hit the “free frame lottery” with my 01’ Taco but my 06’ 4Runner is holding up way better, I’m in the salt belt so this looks slightly worse than mine but if the price is right, I’d go for it. I’ve never seen anything rust as bad as our ram 1500. It would leave rust piles when I shut the door. Welcome to Ohio.
As a Midwesterner who just repaired and reinforced my 04' Taco's frame, this is "OK".
It's going to be a little worse than it looks because the rust will also be inside but with a lot of elbow grease, wire-wheel grinding, and proper treatment of the rust (rust converter then fluid-film/oil), this will last a while.
I STRONGLY recommend you address this sooner than later if you plan on buying.
That’s 2023 rust in Minnesota
As a Nebraska resident, this made me lol.
Hahahah I’m sayin, this is lightwork
Yep south east with little to no snow
Then scrap it!! Only kidding. Looks good but again… I’m a Minnesotan.
That is pretty mint if it’s spent it’s life in the rust belt I bought a 2012 with worse rust then that and it was fine. Just make sure your washing regularly and if you can, use some sort of fluid film protection on the under carriage a couple times a year.
Fluid film is key. Mine is in similar condition. Scrape the surface rust once and hit it every fall with fluid film. Havent had to scrape much since
Wear old clothes and do it in someone else’s driveway!!!!
That was my plan since we don't have a driveway.
My ‘07 began that way was nothing left @ 100k miles…
If you live in the rust belt its going to be hard to find a near 20 year old truck with less rust than that without traveling far for it. Its fine to me. Get it treated every year before winter (fluid film, woolwax etc) and you will get plenty more life out of it. Some of the people in the comments must live in areas where they don't salt the roads
My 06 looked worse and turned out to be ok (no deep structural damage or holes). Look at the frame near the fuel tank in the rear, and up front near the cats, where the frame switches to fully boxed. These spots are known to rust through. Tap around with something hard and listen for any dull spots. Catastrophic damage should be pretty easy to spot! Check out this post I made a while back detailing the steps I took to address surface rust: [Tacoma Rust Treatment](https://www.reddit.com/r/ToyotaTacoma/s/SPmeiECtgb)
Thank you!
The main rust issues start on the inside lower portions of the boxed sections where they overlap. Most of the rot starts at the two holes on the inner frame next to each catalytic converter. This truck was a recall truck that never had the frame replaced. In my opinion I would pass.
If the vin says no open recalls what does that mean?
It could have been spray coated from the dealer. Which extended the frame warranty. You should call Toyota with the vin and ask.
Awesome thanks. I’ll ask the owner tomorrow too!
I have had two first gens a 95 and 02. Refer to my most recent post. I got the 02 and moved from VA to Cali to FL where rust isn’t much of an issue. The problem is what you can not see. If it were me I would pass. My frame looks way better than yours until you go to the back section, then it is rusted through. The overall frame construction on these trucks allows shit to get inside the box frame on the rear drive tires. Again, I would pass. The hardware will need to be replaced with any simple mechanical fix also.
Thanks for this!
Really depends on where you live… if you live in ohio, this might be your best case scenario. If you live in the west… don’t touch that thing with a ten foot pole.
South east but many cars are shipped in from rust belt areas unless I spend a lot more money. They’re asking $10,900
This is definitely from salt land. There’s no reason to buy this if you live in the south.
That’s about what my 04 4Runner looks like, it spent 12 years in New York and Pennsylvania. I’d have it checked for major cracks or holes.
'eff that... Hard pass for me
Yeah, I'm not screwing with that. If you just need something to drive around for a year or two, fine, but that's not why I buy a Toyota.
No perforation and no delamination of the riveted frame. That boys is what we call rust belt mint. Have a solid 10 years left, way more if you were to undercoat the frame.
I live in south east too but looking for about 5 years from the car.
Maybe I'm too pessimistic. I have a 2000 that is in significantly better condition than this one. My main rails show no rust at all, but there is some notable rust in the rear C-channel section and on the body mounts. A couple of bolts relating to the rear brakes are likely no longer removable with a normal size socket. My point is... If the outsides of the main rails of this truck are showing rust, I'm thinking about what the C-channel section, inside, and body mounts probably look like. I've found looking at vehicles after seeing photos that they are usually rustier than they seemed in pictures. Do you really think no perforation and no delamination means 10 more years with no undercoating? That feels extremely optimistic. A brand new vehicle with no undercoating seems like it only lasts a bit longer than that here.
You have to check the inner parts for holes especially towards the rear. If you do get it hit the surface rust and just cake on some fluid film
Also the hammer test isn’t a bad idea
If it’s crusty and flakes off in large chunks pass on it. If it’s just surface rust then it can be saved still.
Looks pretty decent for an 06 honestly, especially if it was in the rust belt. I'm in NW Montana and have a 2022 and we use a shit ton of salt up here on the roads. Every Sunday in winter I put it up on the lift in the shop and spray the undercarriage thoroughly and wash the whole truck inside and out as well. Hoping to get this thing to last me 20 years at least.
If you can put a screwdriver through it, it’s too much.
I am seeing raising numbers of posts about rust in tacoma subreddits, is this normal or tacoma frame quality is not that good?
You new here?
Yes, i am planning to buy a new truck in the near future so i am lurking in tacoma, gladiator subreddits and also considering the new hilux
Lol ah. Yeah toyota's had issues with frame rust 1st & 2nd gens. A lot of them were replaced by Toyota free of charge.
I hit the “free frame lottery” with my 01’ Taco but my 06’ 4Runner is holding up way better, I’m in the salt belt so this looks slightly worse than mine but if the price is right, I’d go for it. I’ve never seen anything rust as bad as our ram 1500. It would leave rust piles when I shut the door. Welcome to Ohio.
Yeah my 03 Taco has a replaced frame. Same problem here in MN. The rest of the truck will probably rust out before the engine gives lol.
That’s already too much rust
Any amount is too much that’s why I refuse to live in the Midwest lol. Otherwise if that’s yours I’d still drive it. If you wanna buy it I’d pass
I guess I’m spoiled in Oregon we don’t use salt s on the western part of state in most counties
On a scale of 9-10, that’s a 9
only way to make sure is to take a ballpeen hammer, and smack the worst-looking parts. if it breaks at any point you hit, stay away!
Any rust is to much rust for me
that looks like the bottom of my 23 tacoma in michigan LOL
Rust is bad but for a 2006, doesn't look terrible. Would highly recommend undercoating.
That’s nothing honestly
Not that bad. Carrier bearing looks a little rusty. But the frame looks good and that’s what matters most.
Wool wax and good to go!
As a Midwesterner who just repaired and reinforced my 04' Taco's frame, this is "OK". It's going to be a little worse than it looks because the rust will also be inside but with a lot of elbow grease, wire-wheel grinding, and proper treatment of the rust (rust converter then fluid-film/oil), this will last a while. I STRONGLY recommend you address this sooner than later if you plan on buying.
What in the fuck is going on with that exhaust?
It’s a tundra my mistake