4th gen frame rust

[Maineiac]

That point is not for pulling your T4R, i.e. it's not a recovery point, although it appears to be for that function,
those are put there for strapping down the T4R after it's been loaded on a trailer or flatbed.

That being said the tow driver or you if you loaded it should of known/seen it was not strong enough for pulling it up on the flatbed, especially as rusted as it was!!

Lol well that is good to know now. Where are the recovery points on the front? I knew it was rusted but was not paying attention when the tow truck driver was hooking it up. I didn't care too much anyways at the time. I had a broken upper ball joint in a snow storm. I plan to have a friend weld in some new steel for me and make it right again.
Maineiac

 

[AuSeeker]

Lol well that is good to know now. Where are the recovery points on the front?
I knew it was rusted but was not paying attention when the tow truck driver was hooking it up.
I didn't care too much anyways at the time. I had a broken upper ball joint in a snow storm.
I plan to have a friend weld in some new steel for me and make it right again.
Maineiac

There are no true recovery points on the front, even that entire front "cross member" which is only the
radiator support shouldn't be used for pulling, any part of the main frame or a true cross member is the
best place to hook up too for pulling or recovery.

 

[Maineiac]

There are no true recovery points on the front, even that entire front "cross member" which is only the
radiator support shouldn't be used for pulling, any part of the main frame or a true cross member is the
best place to hook up too for pulling or recovery.

Good to know! Thanks

 

[chili]

I agree, avoid both, too far gone and will need major work to make either a safe ride, don't walk away RUNAWAY!!

I am continually amazed at the frame rust and rot on *some* of these trucks in the rust belt. Mine has spent its whole like in MA and it's not pretty, but nothing like the above.

My '04 has a rusty radiator support, still structurally sound, skid plate has a fist-sized hole rusted through it, and under the spare tire is kind of ugly, but other than some surface rust on the weld beads, nothing that's going to break anytime soon. It has clearly never been treated, other than my diligence in pressure-washing the underside a few times each winter.

Is it lack of owner care? (Probably) Garaging/not? Simply not driving in the wet/salt? Luck that Toyota used good steel or paint the day they made a particular frame?

While we're on the subject-- one of the worst places on my frame is inside the passenger front wheelwell. Take a look at where the AC condenser drain hose is: right over the frame rail. 13 years of AC water dripping right on the frame. The brake line bracket that's supposed to be there is nonexistent at this point. And yes I know the plastic guard thing is gone... new one is on order.

 

[A2toHgt]

Dont buy em...

 

[shahsmerdis]

I am continually amazed at the frame rust and rot on *some* of these trucks in the rust belt. Mine has spent its whole like in MA and it's not pretty, but nothing like the above.

My '04 has a rusty radiator support, still structurally sound, skid plate has a fist-sized hole rusted through it, and under the spare tire is kind of ugly, but other than some surface rust on the weld beads, nothing that's going to break anytime soon. It has clearly never been treated, other than my diligence in pressure-washing the underside a few times each winter.

Is it lack of owner care? (Probably) Garaging/not? Simply not driving in the wet/salt? Luck that Toyota used good steel or paint the day they made a particular frame?

While we're on the subject-- one of the worst places on my frame is inside the passenger front wheelwell. Take a look at where the AC condenser drain hose is: right over the frame rail. 13 years of AC water dripping right on the frame. The brake line bracket that's supposed to be there is nonexistent at this point. And yes I know the plastic guard thing is gone... new one is on order.

I want to say it has to do more with the cat heating up that area and salt and rocks getting kicked up there. salt and rocks put mini holes into the rust proofing. maybe a combination of all of the above? my 3rd gen has a hole in a similar area. Right next to the cat.

I suggest just stripping down as much as you can, hope there are no holes and fluid film the crap out of it.

I really should get to rust proofing this year. I have no time though.

 

[farl14]

, 03:00 PM* #63*(permalink)

farl14

Junior Member

*

Join Date: Oct 2017

Location: Bronx NY

Posts: 1

I have a 2003 4Runner with tremendous amount of rust underneath the radiator support is completely gone what we need to do is we need to#Toyota #Toyotarust #toyotadont care #anything that will get Toyota attention they said the more people that complain about the 4th generation 4Runner the more they will have to do something we knock on the door the quicker they will answer post lots of pictures with those hashtags via Twitter Instagram or any social media the big companies do not like that and they have to answer

 

[shahsmerdis]

, 03:00 PM* #63*(permalink)

farl14

Junior Member

*

Join Date: Oct 2017

Location: Bronx NY

Posts: 1

I have a 2003 4Runner with tremendous amount of rust underneath the radiator support is completely gone what we need to do is we need to#Toyota #Toyotarust #toyotadont care #anything that will get Toyota attention they said the more people that complain about the 4th generation 4Runner the more they will have to do something we knock on the door the quicker they will answer post lots of pictures with those hashtags via Twitter Instagram or any social media the big companies do not like that and they have to answer

welcome im from the bronx as well ! where abouts are you? they pour liquid acid on the roads here.

is it completely hollowed out? grind to whatever metal is left. and fluid film every year.

about to do the same myself.

 

[del mar]

He didn't have it installed... I don't have any experience with rusted frames being from southern California. It didn't look good, I just don't know if it's bad enough I should pass up on this 4runner. I may see if he'll let me take it to a dealership to have them check it out...

I seem to remember that a lot of cars don't have a rust prevention coating on them. But, as I recall, there is an aftermarket for this.
Also, there is a product called Rust Dissolver.
Another prevention is to get a pressure sprayer and spray the frame with diesel fuel.
Has anyone had a rust prevention coating applied to their frame?
I know of a product called POR 15 that I have used on my 1982 Vanagan and it is bullet proof. It stops rust cold. The final finish color is black, but you can paint on it. Unless the seal or bond is broken, nothing more is required. They have a starter kit available for a very reasonable cost.
WD 40 works too, but needs frequent reapplication.
Need to insure that your water drain holes are cleaned out.
Also, get an underbody washer that attaches to pressure washer works great, so I am told, to get salt off.
A cheap paint sprayer gun at Harbor Freight, and fill the hopper/canister with either oil or maybe a heavy weight gear lube, or just a good rust preventative oil.

Here's an extremely valuable link to keeping the your prized vehicle from rusting away. 6 Ways to Prevent Rust On Your Car This Winter | BestRide

 

[del mar]

Undercarriage rust prevention

I found this link that might help with questions about frame rust prevention


spraying truck/trailer chassis with diesel/oil prevents rust? - Yellow Bullet Forums

 

[jm999]

2004 4wd bought 2 years ago. Currently has 155k miles on it. I knew the frame had rust when I bought it, but didn't realize the extent of it. The radiator support is rotted through in one spot and really heavy rust/scale on the front of the frame, particularly where the control arms mount up. Skid plate rusted out long ago. Power steering and tranny lines on front end were extremely corroded and need replacement. So sad because the engine sounds like it wants to go for another 150k. Why did Tacomas get the frame recall but not the 4runners?

 

[del mar]

Why did Tacomas get the frame recall but not the 4runners?

I don't think anyone has that answer. But living in a state that uses SALT on the streets and highways in the winter, for snow control, should be perfectly aware of this and take appropriate steps to prevent frame rust.

Consider how long a car lasts if from the eastern part of the country, compared to the western part of the country.



This might be shocking, but when schools actually had classes to teach students stuff, like Auto Shop, that information was freely taught and out there. So, there goes the education system. Just buy, use, and discard.

 

[schuler317]

Need advice on underside pics of vehicle I'm looking to purchase

This seems like as good a place as any to get some feedback.

I've been looking for a low mileage V8 4wd but everything I've come across looks like it's been at the bottom of the ocean for the past 10years. First and foremost this will be a daily driver, but I want to build it up for overlanding and light offroading (toytech 3" with 5100s and 285 KO2s.)

What's your position on these underside pics? Anything you see here that would make you pass on this one?

West Virginia vehicle, V8 4wd under 100k:

 

[mjotrainbrain]

This seems like as good a place as any to get some feedback.

I've been looking for a low mileage V8 4wd but everything I've come across looks like it's been at the bottom of the ocean for the past 10years. First and foremost this will be a daily driver, but I want to build it up for overlanding and light offroading (toytech 3" with 5100s and 285 KO2s.)

What's your position on these underside pics? Anything you see here that would make you pass on this one?

West Virginia vehicle, V8 4wd under 100k:

It looks like it was undercoated at some point. My concern would be if it was done to hide some bad rust so it looks better/sells easier, or even if it was done with good intentions a bad undercoating can actually make rust worse. Personally, I prefer seeing surface rust rather than undercoating since I like to go through and undercoat slowly and detailed myself and I like to know exactly what I'm starting with; hard to tell in this case.

 

[schuler317]

Pre-purchase inspection done: new pics

It looks like it was undercoated at some point. My concern would be if it was done to hide some bad rust so it looks better/sells easier, or even if it was done with good intentions a bad undercoating can actually make rust worse. Personally, I prefer seeing surface rust rather than undercoating since I like to go through and undercoat slowly and detailed myself and I like to know exactly what I'm starting with; hard to tell in this case.

Update, had the vehicle inspected by a local Toyota mechanic that sent me the following pics. He described it as "pretty rusted," but flaking and no signs of any holes and only apparently surface rust. The worst areas:

Otherwise the inspection was great. Body was in good condition, no check engine lights cleared recently, no leaks, (already has a Flowmaster exhaust added, bonus.) He mentioned it needs tires tomorrow, and likely a power steering pump in the near future, but otherwise was in good condition for a sub 100k mile 15yr old vehicle.

 

[schuler317]

Really don't understand these forums. My reply shows up but the image links I included seem to have dissapeared. Does a moderator need to approve my picture links before they show up or something?

 

[del mar]

In those worse areas, I would apply a rust stopper like a Por 15 to the area and beyond to a 'clear' area. And keep the frame maintained by coating it with some if the ways that I posted a link about earlier in this thread. You got a keeper!

 

[Zach's Yota]

Autorust T cap system

Don’t wanna revive an old thread, but if your worries about frame holes then this company just started producing 11 gauge steel frame reinforcement pieces that you weld in over your existing frame.

https://www.autorust.com/product-category/toyota/toyota-4-runner/page/2/

 

[kingofthehill]

This seems like as good a place as any to get some feedback.

I've been looking for a low mileage V8 4wd but everything I've come across looks like it's been at the bottom of the ocean for the past 10years. First and foremost this will be a daily driver, but I want to build it up for overlanding and light offroading (toytech 3" with 5100s and 285 KO2s.)

What's your position on these underside pics? Anything you see here that would make you pass on this one?

West Virginia vehicle, V8 4wd under 100k:

If you look at the picture with the oil filter visible you can see undercoating on the filter, which means it was done after its last oil change. Looks like the undercoating is meant to hide rust.

 

[Mullett757]

If you look at the picture with the oil filter visible you can see undercoating on the filter, which means it was done after its last oil change. Looks like the undercoating is meant to hide rust.

I definitely agree with you. Im getting my underside professionally undercoated at line-x in a month or two and my friend who works there showed me some pictures of a 4th gen they had done and the difference is night and day from this. I would be very suspicious