2004 4Runner Rust.

[turk908]

Hello everyone,

I new to this forum, just signed up today. I already see a lot of valuable information. So, as a lot of people concerns i have one of my own.

I just recently bought a 2004 4Runner from New Jersey, has about 94000 miles on it. I didn't see it at the time but after i brought it home noticed there is plenty of rust on the bottom around exaust header bolts and some other areas. Is this a one incident or has anyone else had this issue with this year and model? Also, wanted to change the exaust system, what is the best way to go about finding parts and installing?

Any help would be appreciated it!

Thank you

 

[T.Rock]

Surface rust is very common on 4th gens in the NY/NJ metro area. My old '04 had plenty of rust underneath, but it was really all just surface rust and nothing much to worry about.

 

[TechWrench]

As the previous poster said, rust is an issue on these vehicles. But, I would argue that it can be a serious problem. I have two '03's, an SR5 V6 with 136k and a Limited V8 with 264k. I have had the SR5 since new, and last year while having the yearly NYS safety inspection done, the mechanic noted a lot of frame rust in the front. This past summer, I found that the front cross member, just under the radiator, had separated from the side frame rail on the right side because of rust. This cross member doesn't support anything other than the front of the skid plate under the engine, but I will be replacing it this spring. The SR5 also has rust issues on the rear hatch, under the upper part of the gasket surrounding the window and around the rear license plate area. The Limited, which I recently purchased from a friend who was the original owner, has less frame rust, but the rear hatch latch assy has been replaced two years ago from rust failure, and is badly rusted again.

If you do a search on frame rust and rear hatch rust, you will find many posts on these issues.

So, I would suggest that you check it carefully, especially the frame, for any possible rust through issues.

 

[turk908]

Thank you for the info.

 

[turk908]

As the previous poster said, rust is an issue on these vehicles. But, I would argue that it can be a serious problem. I have two '03's, an SR5 V6 with 136k and a Limited V8 with 264k. I have had the SR5 since new, and last year while having the yearly NYS safety inspection done, the mechanic noted a lot of frame rust in the front. This past summer, I found that the front cross member, just under the radiator, had separated from the side frame rail on the right side because of rust. This cross member doesn't support anything other than the front of the skid plate under the engine, but I will be replacing it this spring. The SR5 also has rust issues on the rear hatch, under the upper part of the gasket surrounding the window and around the rear license plate area. The Limited, which I recently purchased from a friend who was the original owner, has less frame rust, but the rear hatch latch assy has been replaced two years ago from rust failure, and is badly rusted again.

If you do a search on frame rust and rear hatch rust, you will find many posts on these issues.

So, I would suggest that you check it carefully, especially the frame, for any possible rust through issues.

Thank you TechWrench! i agree with your point it doesn't seem like its a big deal until you start uncovering all the other areas that has rust. I mean there is surface rust everywhere i just dont know how far it goes into any frame work yet. I have to check it out. In the mean time have you done anything to the rust issue cosmetically? I mean i hear taking some solution and brushing it off my help restore some back into shape??

 

[TechWrench]

Thank you TechWrench! i agree with your point it doesn't seem like its a big deal until you start uncovering all the other areas that has rust. I mean there is surface rust everywhere i just dont know how far it goes into any frame work yet. I have to check it out. In the mean time have you done anything to the rust issue cosmetically? I mean i hear taking some solution and brushing it off my help restore some back into shape??

I haven't done anything about the frame rust yet. From what I have seen, cleaning the surface rust from the frame, while it may make it look better, probably won't do much to help the problem. A lot of the rust is on the inside of the frame rails, which would be hard to get to without removing the frame first. Unfortunately, the best solution is having the frame completely rust-proofed in the beginning, or get a southern vehicle which doesn't have the rust issues our northern ones do.