4th gen frame rust

[mdog22]

Any updates?

 

[Jakeepoo3]

Only from the 2 photos you show it looks fine, only surface rust....but there are other areas that rust more than the areas you have shown, look at the frame on the passenger's side close to the firewall that is where the AC drain drips down on the frame, also the radiator support in the front but it can be replaced if needed and the main frame rails in that area are OK.

That's all good. If you're worried about it just hit it with a wire wheel and tiger paw and re coat. Bushings I can see looking a little ready to replace.

 

[rdruss]

On this thread it's becoming obvious that if you don't live in the rust belt you don't even know what rust is.

 

[schroest]

I have an '03 V8 LTD, was under the rear most area just a few hours ago and scraped about a pound of rust off frame , axle housing, various brackets and will wire bush brush another time for painting.
The '04 you're looking at looks pretty good, check bottom of frame below PS front door, this is where the A/C condensate gathered on mine and dripped on floor leaving behind a 10" x 3" long rusted out spot on bottom of frame rail.

this is exactly the issue with mine right now - ugh

what did you do to fix yours?

 

[schroest]

Only from the 2 photos you show it looks fine, only surface rust....but there are other areas that rust more than the areas you have shown, look at the frame on the passenger's side close to the firewall that is where the AC drain drips down on the frame, also the radiator support in the front but it can be replaced if needed and the main frame rails in that area are OK.

Hey - what do you recommend for a hole on the passenger side rail - hole on the bottom about 1-2 inches by 10-15 inches from memory? sort of a narrow triangle.

 

[AuSeeker]

Hey - what do you recommend for a hole on the passenger side rail - hole on the bottom about 1-2 inches by 10-15 inches from memory? sort of a narrow triangle.

Hard to say without seeing it..but cutting out all rust and welding in a new metal patch would be my best guess.

 

[rdruss]

this is exactly the issue with mine right now - ugh

what did you do to fix yours?

Had a plate welded in and another plate in another spot on the side of frame, $1000.00! Obviously, if I were a welder it would have been cheaper.

 

[schroest]

Had a plate welded in and another plate in another spot on the side of frame, $1000.00! Obviously, if I were a welder it would have been cheaper.

Helpful - may do the same

expect price similar

any issues with changes in how it rides or drives? any concerns about getting in an accident without the same structural integrity and/or reselling it?

 

[rdruss]

Helpful - may do the same

expect price similar

any issues with changes in how it rides or drives? any concerns about getting in an accident without the same structural integrity and/or reselling it?

No on all counts.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Helpful - may do the same

expect price similar

any issues with changes in how it rides or drives? any concerns about getting in an accident without the same structural integrity and/or reselling it?

If the frame patch/cap is of similar metal to the frame and is welded in properly to non-corroded sections of the frame, it should be relatively similar in terms of strength/rigidity as factory.

That being said, in terms of reselling value/issues; that will likely be something you want to check with your local regulations on. I know some states that have inspections are far more critical of those types of repairs than others and I am not sure how most insurance companies view patching frames due to rust (again, I assume they go off of the most conservative state's regulations).

Then again, I guess if you wanted to just play ignorant and never mention it or acknowledge you did it when you sell it... then it's the new guy's problem. : /

 

[TaylorThe4runner]

Alright, I've got bad frame rust on my '06 V8. Shops in town won't patch it, and will only replace the whole frame for $7k-$9k. It's got 175000 miles, and I've already put a lot of work into it (lift, tires, etc.) but it seems a shame to put over half the value of the truck back into it. What should I do? Replace the frame or try and ditch it for a Land Cruiser?

 

[Bluesky 07]

On this thread it's becoming obvious that if you don't live in the rust belt you don't even know what rust is.

Truth, and this is why I'm truly grateful every time I turn a clean bolt or crank down my spare with no issues. The extent of rust in pics people share is shocking and Toyota should be ashamed for not addressing it given that it's known the frames weren't adequately treated against corrosion.

 

[iamatt]

Whats crazy is when i come back from a few nights on the beach... Insert hose into frame and the water coming out is completely orange. I wish I knew about this before. Got the eye on a few early 2000 xteras for the beach. Probably would have been ok but man every weekend on the sand in the salt air/mist kills these things. [emoji16]

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[MikeinNH67]

Truth, and this is why I'm truly grateful every time I turn a clean bolt or crank down my spare with no issues.

Definitely a plus to living in the South. Now I'm not defending Toyota but most vehicles here follow the same pattern with the exception of uni-body, those seem to last longer. Not many later model trucks used here in winter last 15 years. GM, Ford and Dodge, the beds are often crackers in 10 years. Frame corners and anywhere stuff accumulates like behind the fuel tank is often a failure point.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Definitely a plus to living in the South. Now I'm not defending Toyota but most vehicles here follow the same pattern with the exception of uni-body, those seem to last longer. Not many later model trucks used here in winter last 15 years. GM, Ford and Dodge, the beds are often crackers in 10 years. Frame corners and anywhere stuff accumulates like behind the fuel tank is often a failure point.

Agreed, up north is a whole different ball game regardless of make or model. My point was only that 4R frames aren't lasting as long as they would have with the corrosion protection they should have gotten. Another gaffe was how the hatch sound deadener was installed before the part was dipped, allowing moisture to accumulate beneath and cause the dreaded rust bubbles.

 

[MikeinNH67]

Here's this years rust to contend with and my fix. I also ground down the welds a bit and painted the area. The dark brown area in the before pic was all junk. I had to cut back around 10". The bottom frame section was small-ish but the frame was full of dirt and acorns right there. :tsk:

Not sure how long I can keep doing this.

 

[daprotege5]

Here's this years rust to contend with and my fix. I also ground down the welds a bit and painted the area. The dark brown area in the before pic was all junk. I had to cut back around 10". The bottom frame section was small-ish but the frame was full of dirt and acorns right there. :tsk:

Not sure how long I can keep doing this.

like they say, till the wheels fall off. least your able to do your own work.

 

[rdruss]

I share your pain and concerns, I have an '03 V8 limited and just did some more rust scraping/sanding/painting the past two days on rear portion of frame and axle housing. I had two plates welded into my frame a couple of years ago at cost of $1000, so as was said, at least you can do your own welding until there's nothing left!!

 

[MikeinNH67]

like they say, till the wheels fall off. least your able to do your own work.

I share your pain and concerns, I have an '03 V8 limited and just did some more rust scraping/sanding/painting the past two days on rear portion of frame and axle housing. I had two plates welded into my frame a couple of years ago at cost of $1000, so as was said, at least you can do your own welding until there's nothing left!!

True but I never would have bought this truck if I couldn't do my own work. I'd have something newer and I would have less money in the bank.

I'm just concerned the next hole will be in a place that's tough to get to. I stopped bothering with the scraping and such, all but one of my rust holes started from the inside.

Seems an uncle is getting a new frame from Toyota for his pickup, annoying that the 4runner is exempt when it clearly has the same issues.