I had a response from the local dealer today regarding the fender bulges. They told me that Toyota is aware of the problem, and that they are working on a fix. They said they hope to have a fix by the end of the month. They said if I do not hear from them by the end of the month to call them. I thought this was a positive response, and it sounded hopeful.
Go buy yourself a Tacoma. Being a bit of a smart ass here. But the replacement aprons will also bulge in time. I've seen it twice now. That's why mine are sitting with the bulges for now. They haven't gotten any worse in 6500 miles and a LOT of hard wheeling. So why do more damage? Replacing them involves doing a LOT of cutting and welding which, in the end, doesn't even begin to fix the problem. Only bandaid's the symptom.
Yours on the otherhand, will NEED to be replaced. So have them replaced and continue to check them. Good Luck.
insurance said they may try to straighten them first...the body shop has different plans.
i will update as this 2-3 week project progresses.
__________________
2007 Black Diamond
upgrade #2
Nitto Terra Grapplers
extended OEM rock rails
custom thule fairing
custom cargo carrier
All Pro 3piece front bumper
All Pro IFS skid
Bilstein 5100
PIAA 510 Ion Fog Lamps
the saga is over.
And now I can talk about this.
So here goes:
Toyota Knows, Toyota is replacing each set as it comes up so that they are not forced into a recall. In other words, if you have the problem, go down to the dealer you bought it from and they will have to do the work. Key words here, "dealer you bought from". So those who did not buy from the guy in your town and saved 200 bucks from buying 200 miles away need to pray your local dealer wants your service work bad enough to do it, otherwise you will have to take the truck to the original dealer. Those buying second hand need to do research.
OK, they will have the truck over a week, they need to dismantle the truck extensively. They will be removing the front end. and welding 2 major parts back in. These parts appear to be exact copies of the 2008 fender aprons.
After the parts are in, you will have a truck as whole as a 2008, If this solved the problem, then you are good to go, however if the problem comes with mileage such as it does on the 2007, who knows.
Here is the problem, they are welding in areas that can spread sparks into and under the dash area. If they do not remove the dash you can have a slow smoldering fire break out and when it erupts to full blown fire, bam, the vehicle is totaled.
That is not a threat, it happened to mine.
I contracted through Toyota for the rebuild and 8 days later walked into the body shop to look at a truck that was a total. the entire electrical, computer, and any item in the dash area to the front seat area was melted or ashes.
I then had to start a process of negotiating till I finally got a pay off today, over 3 weeks after I saw the totaled truck.
So I will warn you, you like the vehicle, make sure that dash is removed and someone watches the interior of the truck.
The case is famous among dealers here in the Southern Ca area, and why? to see if they can be held liable, thats right, not to see what is done, but to see if they can be held liable.
Good luck with the repairs, that is my story, I print it because I think you would like to know the possibilities.
the saga is over.
And now I can talk about this.
So here goes:
Toyota Knows, Toyota is replacing each set as it comes up so that they are not forced into a recall. In other words, if you have the problem, go down to the dealer you bought it from and they will have to do the work. Key words here, "dealer you bought from". So those who did not buy from the guy in your town and saved 200 bucks from buying 200 miles away need to pray your local dealer wants your service work bad enough to do it, otherwise you will have to take the truck to the original dealer. Those buying second hand need to do research.
OK, they will have the truck over a week, they need to dismantle the truck extensively. They will be removing the front end. and welding 2 major parts back in. These parts appear to be exact copies of the 2008 fender aprons.
After the parts are in, you will have a truck as whole as a 2008, If this solved the problem, then you are good to go, however if the problem comes with mileage such as it does on the 2007, who knows.
Here is the problem, they are welding in areas that can spread sparks into and under the dash area. If they do not remove the dash you can have a slow smoldering fire break out and when it erupts to full blown fire, bam, the vehicle is totaled.
That is not a threat, it happened to mine.
I contracted through Toyota for the rebuild and 8 days later walked into the body shop to look at a truck that was a total. the entire electrical, computer, and any item in the dash area to the front seat area was melted or ashes.
I then had to start a process of negotiating till I finally got a pay off today, over 3 weeks after I saw the totaled truck.
So I will warn you, you like the vehicle, make sure that dash is removed and someone watches the interior of the truck.
The case is famous among dealers here in the Southern Ca area, and why? to see if they can be held liable, thats right, not to see what is done, but to see if they can be held liable.
Good luck with the repairs, that is my story, I print it because I think you would like to know the possibilities.
WOW Jim, Sounds like the entire episode was a nightmare. I know how much work you put into that rig. I wish you the best with whatever you get. In the meantime enjoy your other ride.
mike
__________________ '07 Titanium metalic
Expedition One Bumper with Bullbar with Superwinch
Toytec Light racing C/O, Toytec 2" spring in rear
All Pro Sliders, Bud Built Skids
285x70x17 MT/R
WOW Jim, Sounds like the entire episode was a nightmare. I know how much work you put into that rig. I wish you the best with whatever you get. In the meantime enjoy your other ride.
mike
Mike, you can only imagine, everybody just wants me to go away now. If I had not personally barked and called everyday till things got moving I would still be waiting.
The dealer kept denying any form of responsibility, Toyota USA opened an investigation and soon informed me it was the vendors problem, they could not help me.
The only people who would even offer help was the vendor, his insurance stalled and stalled. I refused to settle for the blue book price. I had a 29 thousand dollar truck I had paid 3000 over to get in, had well over 10,000 dollars in after market parts, not including installation, and not a dent or blemish on it.
Before it was finished I had to get specialty auto motive appraiser to appraise the vehicle. I figure the episode cost me 10,000 dollars in loss including the expenses I incurred to settle. And Toyota expects me to buy another one. That is right, they asked me when I would be in to buy another. Imagine that.
I do warn everyone who reads this. Make sure the dash is removed when they weld in the new parts.
My new Jeep Rubicon 4 door is a nice vehicle, looks good next to my 04 Wrangler, and wheels very good.
Personally, we loved the FJC, we are very disappointed this happened. But with the total lack of support we got from Toyota, you can imagine how long it will be before I even consider another
Mike, you can only imagine, everybody just wants me to go away now. If I had not personally barked and called everyday till things got moving I would still be waiting.
The dealer kept denying any form of responsibility, Toyota USA opened an investigation and soon informed me it was the vendors problem, they could not help me.
The only people who would even offer help was the vendor, his insurance stalled and stalled. I refused to settle for the blue book price. I had a 29 thousand dollar truck I had paid 3000 over to get in, had well over 10,000 dollars in after market parts, not including installation, and not a dent or blemish on it.
Before it was finished I had to get specialty auto motive appraiser to appraise the vehicle. I figure the episode cost me 10,000 dollars in loss including the expenses I incurred to settle. And Toyota expects me to buy another one. That is right, they asked me when I would be in to buy another. Imagine that.
I do warn everyone who reads this. Make sure the dash is removed when they weld in the new parts.
My new Jeep Rubicon 4 door is a nice vehicle, looks good next to my 04 Wrangler, and wheels very good.
Personally, we loved the FJC, we are very disappointed this happened. But with the total lack of support we got from Toyota, you can imagine how long it will be before I even consider another
Sorry to hear that. I can't help but think that if I get bulges, I'm not even mentioning the problem to my dealer. I'll just trade it in for something else. Why put up with the potential BS you dealt with???
Wow! Quite the saga. Sorry to hear about the hassle you went through. I bailed out earlier. I am still curious to see what Toyota will do when the warranty expires on these.
the saga is over.
And now I can talk about this.
So here goes:
Toyota Knows, Toyota is replacing each set as it comes up so that they are not forced into a recall. In other words, if you have the problem, go down to the dealer you bought it from and they will have to do the work. Key words here, "dealer you bought from". So those who did not buy from the guy in your town and saved 200 bucks from buying 200 miles away need to pray your local dealer wants your service work bad enough to do it, otherwise you will have to take the truck to the original dealer. Those buying second hand need to do research.
OK, they will have the truck over a week, they need to dismantle the truck extensively. They will be removing the front end. and welding 2 major parts back in. These parts appear to be exact copies of the 2008 fender aprons.
After the parts are in, you will have a truck as whole as a 2008, If this solved the problem, then you are good to go, however if the problem comes with mileage such as it does on the 2007, who knows.
Here is the problem, they are welding in areas that can spread sparks into and under the dash area. If they do not remove the dash you can have a slow smoldering fire break out and when it erupts to full blown fire, bam, the vehicle is totaled.
That is not a threat, it happened to mine.
I contracted through Toyota for the rebuild and 8 days later walked into the body shop to look at a truck that was a total. the entire electrical, computer, and any item in the dash area to the front seat area was melted or ashes.
I then had to start a process of negotiating till I finally got a pay off today, over 3 weeks after I saw the totaled truck.
So I will warn you, you like the vehicle, make sure that dash is removed and someone watches the interior of the truck.
The case is famous among dealers here in the Southern Ca area, and why? to see if they can be held liable, thats right, not to see what is done, but to see if they can be held liable.
Good luck with the repairs, that is my story, I print it because I think you would like to know the possibilities.
Sorry about the nightmare you went thru but on the bright side it's over with.
For what it's worth I will not keep my FJ beyond it's warranty & Hell will freeze over before I buy another Toyota product. I'm sure I'll get flammed for that statement but I'm a life long wheeler thats had over a dozen 4x4s & my FJ experience has been the worst of all.
Since i have not seen a bulge in person yet I am kinda brainstorming blind here. First off, does it appear that the bulges are happening as the front end of the panels sag? This would probably be evidenced by the bottom of the bulge compressing together. While it isn't a fix i was thinking that as a preventitive measure if the bulges were happening from the weight of the front end then it might be possible to shim the body panels up where they attach to the frame on the front end and take some of the pressure off of the crumple zones. I could be way off, i am just brainstorming and hoping i never have to worry about this.
__________________
2008 6MT Sandstorm Convenience package and Offroad package, black door handles, black mirrors, tow hitch,SCUBA MOD DONE, trail gear sliders, LCAs strengthened, various slider/frame/differential scratches, and a 1/4" of central Texas granite dust on the entire interior.
Being a bit of a smart ass here. But the replacement aprons will also bulge in time. I've seen it twice now. That's why mine are sitting with the bulges for now. They haven't gotten any worse in 6500 miles and a LOT of hard wheeling. So why do more damage? Replacing them involves doing a LOT of cutting and welding which, in the end, doesn't even begin to fix the problem. Only bandaid's the symptom. 
'07 Titanium metalic
