Having owned a '96 Tacoma that was bought back by Toyota and currently owning a '96 and '99 Tacoma as well as a '96 4Runner I am quite familiar with the frames. Not to mention the frame swap I personally did on the '99 Tacoma I currently own. I am of the belief that Toyota should have stepped up and replaced and or bought back 3rd gen 4Runners with bad frames.

I know, I know... they didn't make the Tacoma, Tundra and Sequoia frames so they claim it isn't their fault but Dana's instead. This frame quality issue is not an isolated incident. Hell, some frames that they eventually deemed bad weren't even manufactured yet when they first started buying back Tacomas! At this point in time why did Toyota allow Dana to continue making inferior frames? Toyota should have had boots on the ground at Dana correcting these quality issues instead of chasing the same problem for 10 years. Toyota also claims that the 4Runner frames are not affected, please, c'mon Toyota many of us know better.

I have heard it stated that the Japanese culture is too proud and stubborn to admit mistakes. Take this for what it's worth but I don't think it it very far from the truth.

End of rant and thank God for Fluid-Film!

Eh, it's a Hilux frame, basically - it's just weakened or softened for the US market for ride quality reasons.

This is true. I follow Thom Hogan the photographer who is Nikon's biggest critic. It is ingrained in their culture.

The recalled frames were made by Dana, American made. Japanese only made the high level design, Dana did the detailed work and is truly the responsible party. Are we proud now?

https://autoweek.com/article/recalls...any-34-billion

Are you saying that the 3rd gen 4Runner frames were made by Dana? I didn't see that in the article but I also just woke up. Haha

4runners, Tacomas and tundras; not sure if they continue making them but the certainly did for many years. But yeah the Japaneses are responsible since they are the end seller but of course don't want to admit fault, kinda expensive but in reality is just 1/4 of one years net profit for Toyota.

I am fairly certain 3rd gen frames were made in Japan. Tundras, Sequoias and Tacomas were made by Dana somewhere on this continent. For any other generation of 4Runners outside of the 3rd gen I am unable to comment on their place of manufacture. I only know a lot about a little you might say but am always interested in learning more Toyota trivia.

Has Toyota formally recognized the 4th gens to have frame issues?

Dana didn’t make the frames for the 4Runner.

Not even. Yes, the 1st Gen Taco uses the same coil spring front suspension as a 3rd gen 4Runner. L=However, look under an equivalent year Hilux (95-04) and you will see torsion bar suspension up front, similar to the 2nd gen 4Runner.

Toyota knows different markets have different demands. Similar to why there was a 100 and 105 series LC sold in Australia. The 105 essentially reused FZJ80 suspension. As such they aimed the 4Runner for comfort in the US market.

With that said, they all rust in the exact same ways.

Pretty sure the tag on the door jam said made/assembled in Japan. On my 97.

Sorry, wrong

Just like how Toyota never recalled or even really mentioned that the head bolts on the 7M engines in the MK3 Supras was half of what it should have been, leading to pretty much every engine blowing a head gasket at some point.

I am looking into buying a 2011 4runner. Is this a bad choice. I just looked up and there is a rust problem 2005-2011 4runners for rust on the frame. Is this true. And if the one I am looking at does not have rust on the frame is it a good one to buy or as someone told me it could still be susceptible to rust.

Just look under the car and see if there is alarming amounts of rust anywhere on the frame. A smart owner would coat the frame black to hide the rust but you could check and see hidden rust underneath - try to look for a fresh layer of coated black paint on the frame and see if it looks to be bubbly and not a smooth finish. Flakes of rust is not good and I did hear that it starts to rust from the inside out.

You should post this on the 5th gen 4Runner forum since they might know a bit more about their frame.

I am new to forum and I can't start a new thread.