In my area, with 3" annual snow and little to zero salt on the roads, we still see a lot of 1st gen Tacos,1st/2nd gen 4runners, and a rare 2nd gen Taco, with frame rust. There are usually 2 or 3 on craigslist with rusted frames. I was astounded that I received a recall notice for frame perforation on my 3rd gen Taco. That just proves that Toyota still uses the same frame prep as they have in previous gen trucks. 3, of my 6, Toyota trucks had either frame replacements or frame treatments mBany years after production. I read a story many years ago that Toyota had to replace rear brakes, drum to drum differentials, and gas tank straps on a ton of new 2nd gens. The brakes were rusted solid from being transported by sea. I see Fords with similar issues in much smaller numbers. Chevy trucks seem to rust from the top down on the body panels instead of the frame. In my nearly 50 years of buying vehicles I always inspect frames first. I also always buy southern vehicles. A few years ago I was helping my wife search for a 1-2 year old Highlander. We looked at one, that had been a Maryland vehicle, and with 20k miles every nut and bolt on it was rusty. I worked at a dealer in my youth and I used to make side money on weekends doing hot spray undercoating on new and used cars. I never understood why dealers stopped doing this to every car. Was a nasty job to do but saved many frames. I still question the Toyota post warranty frame treatments. If the person doesn't spray into ever opening in the frame then the job is incomplete.
