Hilux early chassis fail: rust perforation after 7 years and just 44k miles of road use in U.K.

[Heym SR20]

In the UK we put large amounts of salt on our roads in winter at enormous expense. Any part of a car that is not well sealed, treated etc will rust quickly.

Most of the rest of the world don’t use salt. They either don’t have wintry weather, or if they do its colder than salt will deal with so they use winter tyres (as they do in Europe and North America).

Japan doesn’t use salt on its roads, nor does South Africa or Portugal where most Hilux’s are made, so they don’t really understand anti corrosion measures. Mind you, nor do Landrover!!

 

[omulally]

I have bought a itchi pussy l200. 07 plate . To replace my 09 ford ranger. Only due to 86000 on the clock of the l200. The ranger 280000 with a better chassis's.
Been looking at lanogaurd this morning for the itchi pussy . I think this is going to be a itch that's needs scratching

I am completely sold on it now. The chassis needs jetwashing and all loose bits removed, but once that prep is done this stuff sticks to it and just moulds around all of the corners. So much easier and cleaner than Dinitrol or any of the more traditional underseals.

 

[Sika98k]

Car cancer indeed

I call it tin worms.

 

[HonestJohn]

In the UK we put large amounts of salt on our roads in winter at enormous expense. Any part of a car that is not well sealed, treated etc will rust quickly.

Most of the rest of the world don’t use salt. They either don’t have wintry weather, or if they do its colder than salt will deal with so they use winter tyres (as they do in Europe and North America).

Japan doesn’t use salt on its roads, nor does South Africa or Portugal where most Hilux’s are made, so they don’t really understand anti corrosion measures. Mind you, nor do Landrover!!

there's a trick to this. From early October just let the mud gather and create a barrier, wash it off again in the spring

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I would tape up every hole in the chassis after running an inspection cable connected to your laptop (like those they put up your bottom they only cost £6 on the net) to check the chassis for non painted internal corrosion then fill the chassis with whatever gunk you think will do the job, afterwards put lots of cardboard on the garage floor to catch the runoff when you pull the tapes off. Or go to one of those injection specialists that spray the crap into all the cavities.
Hard to imagine this problem even existing in todays vehicles though as they all use the electo paint dip technology, except for Lada of course.

 

[zambezi]

go to one of those injection specialists that spray the crap into all the cavities

Booked

 

[zambezi]

From early October just let the mud gather and create a barrier, wash it off again in the spring

There may be something in that: I have always kept the vehicle clean. Multiple "Platinum" washes per year which include underbody hosing.

I now suspect that the absence of a crud barrier has left the chassis exposed to rock salt through the winter, however often I washed it off.

 

[Bugsy]

There may be something in that: I have always kept the vehicle clean. Multiple "Platinum" washes per year which include underbody hosing.

I now suspect that the absence of a crud barrier has left the chassis exposed to rock salt through the winter, however often I washed it off.

you’ve just got a “ bad “ one as they say , I’ve heard of people buying Ford Rangers and treating them with everything out there known to the undersealing trade and 7 years later chassis snaps due to corrosion that has started inside the chassis and worked its way out . I had a 2007 ranger and loved it for the comfort and torque for pulling but eventually my mig welder put its hands up and said no. I would be livid in your circumstances and sell it on now because it’s only going to start up somewhere else .. if you can’t do the work yourself get shot of it . I think my old ranger ended up getting exported and a rocket launcher strapped to her tub .

 

[Bavarianbrit]

you’ve just got a “ bad “ one as they say , I’ve heard of people buying Ford Rangers and treating them with everything out there known to the undersealing trade and 7 years later chassis snaps due to corrosion that has started inside the chassis and worked its way out . I had a 2007 ranger and loved it for the comfort and torque for pulling but eventually my mig welder put its hands up and said no. I would be livid in your circumstances and sell it on now because it’s only going to start up somewhere else .. if you can’t do the work yourself get shot of it . I think my old ranger ended up getting exported and a rocket launcher strapped to her tub .

I had a Tata pickup for 4 years and never had a rust issue with it, must have been painted with vindaloo or something if Pune India can get it right it is a sad day for the big players. It also went off to the middle east.

 

[zambezi]

in your circumstances ... sell it on now

I considered selling on, as a trade in for an Isuzu perhaps. But availability of a similar configuration is near zero and prices have spiralled.

Based on the welder's assurances that all other instances of rust look trivial, I have booked the Hilux in to have a proprietary chassis sealant applied inside and out.

Time will tell...

 

[HonestJohn]

I considered selling on, as a trade in for an Isuzu perhaps. But availability of a similar configuration is near zero and prices have spiralled.

Based on the welder's assurances that all other instances of rust look trivial, I have booked the Hilux in to have a proprietary chassis sealant applied inside and out.

Time will tell...

Run it at 20mph into a ditch and clip a tree on the corner of the passenger side. Wear ear defenders as prep of course

 

[zambezi]

if Pune India can get it right it is a sad day for the big players

 

[Bugsy]

I considered selling on, as a trade in for an Isuzu perhaps. But availability of a similar configuration is near zero and prices have spiralled.

Based on the welder's assurances that all other instances of rust look trivial, I have booked the Hilux in to have a proprietary chassis sealant applied inside and out.

Time will tell...
[/Hope it works out for you then .

 

[Bowland blades]

Warranty does not circle around the sale of goods act " reasonable durability " Its with the judge on the day . Take it on its worth it and there is a very good chance Toyota do not want a precedent ( especially if someone won and then told lots of folks about it).
my bet is they wont walk into court without a good offer but it might well go to the court doors

 

[zambezi]

it might well go to the court doors

I think you are right. Toyota probably would settle out of court if I had the stomach and endurance for that course of action.

But I feel life is too short. Besides, I trust the adjudication of the mechanic/welder who remediated the severe corrosion near the suspension point. His take is that the rest of the chassis has treatable surface rust.

However, sharing my experience here, and by posting the dismissive Toyota CR response I received, I hope that others get to realise that the inflated perception [and price] of the marque may be misplaced.

 

[Otto68]

Just had an update on 14 plate Navara with split chassis.Nissan are taking it to a local dealer to check it out with the view of reimbursing the pick ups value, or deducting the value from another one.maybe they will try & worm out of it, but at least they are making an effort.
Now where was that Toyota email address

 

[addjunkie]

Just had an update on 14 plate Navara with split chassis.Nissan are taking it to a local dealer to check it out with the view of reimbursing the pick ups value, or deducting the value from another one.maybe they will try & worm out of it, but at least they are making an effort.
Now where was that Toyota email address

I was under the understanding that nissan had closed the chasis compensation/ inspection scheme.

Was thinking about the old days earlier. Im 60, so passedmy test in 79. Bought a 10 year old car. It was rotten. I learnt the dark art of welding and bodge. 10 year old motors now are no where near as bad as they used to be. Except Nissan and toyota morors of course. God forbid anyone remember early jap stuff!

 

[Otto68]

Maybe they did, but they are 100% looking at this one

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Volkswagen automaker's plans to revive the Scout nameplate for an electric pickup and SUV. Volkswagen Group did not offer details
VW Group did say it would build a "separate, independent company" to resurrect the Scout name, which it acquired last year after purchasing truck maker Navistar.

I had a rust free 1973 304 cu in V8 Scout II that I took back to the UK, but never registered it and then sold it on for £500 in 2000.

 

[Otto68]

Will keep up to date with the Nissan & see if they come good