4th gen rust/known maint. issues for buying used??

[jlyles]

Unfortunately I went and looked at that runner and the rust was very significant, took it to a toyota dealer and they advised me not to purchase it.

BUT, yesterday I found an awesome 2008 with 140k miles on it with a clean frame at another toyota dealer and snatched it up immediately so I'm officially part of the club! Even got a 12k/1year warranty for "free" from toyota

 

[y=mx+b]

Unfortunately I went and looked at that runner and the rust was very significant, took it to a toyota dealer and they advised me not to purchase it.

BUT, yesterday I found an awesome 2008 with 140k miles on it with a clean frame at another toyota dealer and snatched it up immediately so I'm officially part of the club! Even got a 12k/1year warranty for "free" from toyota

Thats a bummer, I bet they took pictures of all the "good" angles. Glad you finally found one and joined the club! If you're ever in SWVA, let me know. I don't do anything cool, but I need friends lol

 

[jlyles]

Thats a bummer, I bet they took pictures of all the "good" angles. Glad you finally found one and joined the club! If you're ever in SWVA, let me know. I don't do anything cool, but I need friends lol

Yea they definitely did, I even told them I was gonna take it to another shop to check it out so I wish they were just honest with me. But all is good cause I found one haha. And will do man! You've been a ton of help on my posts so I appreciate it

 

[Mr_Dobalina]

I live in NY and have been keeping my eyes on Craigslist for years to find a used Tundra. All Toyota vehicles are always grossly overpriced in my opinion.

 

[eleven14]

I live in NY and have been keeping my eyes on Craigslist for years to find a used Tundra. All Toyota vehicles are always grossly overpriced in my opinion.

Haha what? They're worth what the market is willing to pay. Plenty of cheaper non-Toyota options out there but there's a reason you're looking for a Tundra.

 

[MikeinNH67]

I wish I could agree but I have a 2005 with 90k miles. It has been taken care of but has lived it's life in Wisconsin and we do salt roads. But regardless I have had cars older than this with less rust on it's frame. Mine has been sitting in the corner of my driveway for a year because I don't know what to do with it. It isn't safe to drive in my opinion.

Ouch, that is a bummer. You may as well sell it for parts so you don't have to be sad seeing it everyday.

 

[xBFxSinfonian]

I agree with you. Mine is very well maintained and cared for. I even sandblasted, primed, and painted the frame after I bought it a few years ago. Unfortunately, the salt and sand gets trapped INSIDE the frame and rusts from the inside out, so no matter how often you wash the undercarriage it doesn’t matter.

Look into Autorust Safe-T-Cap frame repair parts. They make repair sections that are preformed to slip right over the bad areas and then weld in place. You do need to cut out the badly rusted areas, but then you can coat the inside of the frame because you can access it once the bottom is cut open to prevent more rust. I plan to do a few areas on mine before it gets too bad to salvage. They even make sections with trailing arm brackets and stuff pre-welded on!

Thanks for the Autorust suggestion, I've been looking for something like this. Any suggestions on what to coat with? I've heard a lot of people talk about fluid film but I need something more heavy duty

 

[Terminator03]

Thanks for the Autorust suggestion, I've been looking for something like this. Any suggestions on what to coat with? I've heard a lot of people talk about fluid film but I need something more heavy duty

So, when you install the Safe-T-Cap panels, you have to cut out the old rusted out areas back to solid steel, which will be pretty much opening up the bottom of the frame section. My plan is to sandblast, prime and paint the inside (as much as I can in that section). I will also prime/paint the inside of the repair cap section. Once it’s welded, I’ll coat the outside with primer and paint. Once everything is repaired, I’ll probably coat the inside of the frame with some type of oil to hopefully keep it from rusting again for a long time. Unfortunately, rust is like cancer, so treating it usually just buys you some more time, but isn’t always permanent. I figure if I can fix the bad areas, and keep the rest at bay for 5-10 years, or until I find something I like better, I’ll be happy. I love the vehicle and have no plans to sell at this time, but I’d have to fix it anyway because the frame would take significant value away from an otherwise awesome condition truck.

 

[Drak]

Thanks for the Autorust suggestion, I've been looking for something like this. Any suggestions on what to coat with? I've heard a lot of people talk about fluid film but I need something more heavy duty

I would recommend looking up Eastwood on YT.
Go to the main page and type in rust in the searchbox.

They have several YT's on rust and what you can do about it.
Depending on where it is, how rusty it is, what your situation is.
They have several products and attack methods.
I found it very informative in my own search to eradicate my undercarriage rust issues.
Which aren't terrible, but its not getting any better just looking at it either.

 

[MikeinNH67]

Thanks for the Autorust suggestion, I've been looking for something like this. Any suggestions on what to coat with? I've heard a lot of people talk about fluid film but I need something more heavy duty

I had my truck Fluid Filmed at this time last year, you couldn't even tell it was done come spring time. From a suggestion I saw on youtube, I'm currently trying bar and chain oil. It's messy but seems to stay in place well so far. I just got a spray gun in from Amazon to spray the inside. The YT video suggested either heating the oil or cutting it with acetone. I put it on externally a month ago with a brush in 90+ temps which made it go on easily. Time will tell I guess.

 

[LocalYokel]

what do you all think of this rust along the frame? Too far gone?

Talking to a fella in IL so i know its seen salt and he said the skid plate needs replacing bc its crumbles, which makes me uneasy.

 

[y=mx+b]

what do you all think of this rust along the frame? Too far gone?

Talking to a fella in IL so i know its seen salt and he said the skid plate needs replacing bc its crumbles, which makes me uneasy.

Theres already a hole forming near the weld on the right side of the screen. Pass on this one. Driving and flying is cheaper than replacing, or even the labor and headache, involved to replace a frame. Look somewhere down south, fly or rent a car to drive out there, and if it looks good, drive it back. If its crappy, just fly back no sweat. I promise you'll spend less in time, headache, money driving/flying to look at 3 different 4runners than fixing a rusted frame.

Source: own a 4runner thats spent 15 years in Pennsylvania lol