Rust repair opinions prior to purchasing - Toyota 4Runner Forum

Sitcoms · 08-30-2021, 01:23 PM

Hello again all!

I'm back in the market for a third gen 4runner after I had to sell mine in 2019. I've found one locally that needs brake work (front calipers/pads, brake lines, etc) for fairly cheap with right around 200,000 miles. I contacted the seller and they told me there's a hole in the drivers side frame rail (A common issue up here in the Northeast).

Seller sent me a picture, and it appears to be between a tennis ball and baseball sized hole in the frame, though it does look like more rot can be pulled away:

I'll be the first to admit rust repair is not an area I'm comfortable or knowledgeable, so I'd probably have to bring it to a shop and have them do it. Is it even worth checking out with a hole this size?

brillo_76 · 08-30-2021, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sitcoms

Hello again all!

I'm back in the market for a third gen 4runner after I had to sell mine in 2019. I've found one locally that needs brake work (front calipers/pads, brake lines, etc) for fairly cheap with right around 200,000 miles. I contacted the seller and they told me there's a hole in the drivers side frame rail (A common issue up here in the Northeast).

Seller sent me a picture, and it appears to be between a tennis ball and baseball sized hole in the frame, though it does look like more rot can be pulled away:

I'll be the first to admit rust repair is not an area I'm comfortable or knowledgeable, so I'd probably have to bring it to a shop and have them do it. Is it even worth checking out with a hole this size?

I would have photos of the rest of the frame. I am used to rusty frames my build thread is full of them. However, I can repair that. Being that is not in your skill set.

I can tell you that most likely that frame has a pile of thin spots and by the looks of things. Its been worked on before. :-)

Sitcoms · 08-30-2021, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brillo_76

I would have photos of the rest of the frame. I am used to rusty frames my build thread is full of them. However, I can repair that. Being that is not in your skill set.

I can tell you that most likely that frame has a pile of thin spots and by the looks of things. Its been worked on before. :-)

Thanks for the reply. Recently moved up to Maine and quickly realizing just how much worse the rust situation is here compared with RI. Figured anything with some age to it, especially in a cheaper price range, was gunna have rust issues. More in the market for a second truck to haul things back and forth to Home Depot

, and this runner caught my eye so I'll see how the rest of the frame is. If it's too bad, oh well and back to the truck search.

Too Stroked · 08-30-2021, 03:11 PM

That would be a hard pass for me, and I live in the rust belt. If one spot is that bad, the rest can't be far behind. No thank you.

brillo_76 · 08-30-2021, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sitcoms

Thanks for the reply. Recently moved up to Maine and quickly realizing just how much worse the rust situation is here compared with RI. Figured anything with some age to it, especially in a cheaper price range, was gunna have rust issues. More in the market for a second truck to haul things back and forth to Home Depot

, and this runner caught my eye so I'll see how the rest of the frame is. If it's too bad, oh well and back to the truck search.

Ok.. Fair enough. :-)

Plus that gas line and brake lines don't look well.

Colorado buff · 08-31-2021, 03:25 PM

don’t bother. Other runners in better shape. Agree with other posters. With a hole that size other parts of the frame are probably ruined and the rockers too.