2005 4Runner, perforated passenger side frame, dealer says unsafe. 2nd opinion?

[Lolaya]

Hi everyone, my beloved 2005 4Runner SR5 has survived 206,000 miles in the salty New England winters. I would like to keep this car a few years more but the dreaded rust has gotten me.

Dealership told me today there is a perforation in the passenger side frame and told me it is unsafe for highway use. Ive had rust for years and this hole has been there a couple years too.

What do you guys think of this perforation? Worth getting it inspected by a rust/weld repair company? Worth getting fixed?

Give me brutal honest truth if its what I need to hear. Thanks!

 

[Lolaya]

 

[armabill]

To me, it doesn't seem unsafe. But rust never stops and will only get worse.

Mine wouldn't pass state inspection for the same reason but mine was worse. On the passenger side, right where the frame goes up above the wheel well, I had two fist size holes next to each other.

It wasn't there last year. Dealer says that he can get it fixed by adding a welded brace. That may work to get it passed but the rust will keep on going.

Mine was a 2005 Sport Edition. This was in 2020, so I searched for another vehicle.

 

[Parks Junkie]

From what I can see I might phrase it as compromised, but not unsafe. The dealer may be erring on the side of caution, or they may see more than I can. As long as the whole thing, or at least a good part of it isn't all crusty, take it to a couple of places and see if they can do an overlay brace on it. And then hit it with Por15 or zinc spray or something to try to slow the progression of rust. None of the coatings will really stop it, but they might slow it for the cost of an afternoon. AFTER you have a patch welded on.

 

[rdruss]

Hi everyone, my beloved 2005 4Runner SR5 has survived 206,000 miles in the salty New England winters. I would like to keep this car a few years more but the dreaded rust has gotten me.

Dealership told me today there is a perforation in the passenger side frame and told me it is unsafe for highway use. Ive had rust for years and this hole has been there a couple years too.

What do you guys think of this perforation? Worth getting it inspected by a rust/weld repair company? Worth getting fixed?

Give me brutal honest truth if its what I need to hear. Thanks!

Only YOU can decide if it's WORTH getting fixed. I had two plates welded on my passenger side 5 years ago, for $1000 but rust is a yearly battle that still continues.

 

[Cezar]

If that is the worst spot on the truck, not unsafe but will be eventually. Short term get in there with a wire wheel, hammer, chisel etc, knock everything off and then hit with rust convertor and fluid film or something on top. Then plan on getting patches welded in, in the next couple of years.

 

[fourwd1]

That pic doesn't show that much detail for me, but if that's the worst of it I wouldn't worry at all.
I've had and repaired much, much worse frames.

 

[Runnin on E]

Here are a couple might make the repair decision easier. Just get it done!

Just a moment...

Rust Buster Frame Repair Kits For 2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner