4th gen rust?

[989mikelee83]

Well my 3rd gen's frame is practically toast now, the frame is rotted beyond repair imo. So im in the market for a new used car and I really would like a 4th gen. Ive done alot of research and I have not found any documentation that 4th gen's frames rot. If you live in an area that gets salted in the winter, could you chime in and tell me the condition of your 4th gen. Any information would be apreciated.

 

[8borerifle]

2004 Sport V6, 123335 miles. Was thinking of trading this year because of rust on frame and panels under the vehicle. Front skid panel rusted off last year and two more panels this year. I don't think it is unsafe and the frame is rusty but still pretty solid. I had an oxygen sensor changed last month and both me and the mechanic were surprised about the amount of rust on the frame and underneath. A lot on the frame holding the radiator. Vehicle is in Ohio and was garaged every year but 2 (I bought it new). Exhaust is history now and need it replaced. VERY reliable vehicle though. I had a 1999 4Runner Highlander addition for 5 years and no rust problems in the 5 years. The 2004 is MUCH better than the 1999 and gets about the same gas mileage. Ton more power in the 4th Gen.

 

[4Evr4RunN3R]

Rust is inevitable. It all depends on how the previous owner took care of it. I bought my 06 used and the under carriage is in good condition. Some areas needed attention that I addressed. Like you, my 3rd Gen rotted away and the frame fall apart. I take my 06 to the car wash once a week and use the self service bay and blast the under carriage as much as a can to clean the salt off. Preventive maintenance is key and goes a long way. If you do end up getting a used 4th Gen, ask the dealer to place it on a lift for you. Take a good look underneath and I would suggest to lower the spare tire. A lot of salt and dirt get trapped up there and that's where I found the most rust. Good luck on your future purchase.

 

[chmura]

Seems like you are from MI. If I were you I would not buy locally and instead buy a used gen from California, Nevada, or Arizona. This will ensure you a rust free frame that is practically brand new and drive it to your home in MI.

 

[RallyBud]

Seems like you are from MI. If I were you I would not buy locally and instead buy a used gen from California, Nevada, or Arizona. This will ensure you a rust free frame that is practically brand new and drive it to your home in MI.

I agree. I just purchased my 2004 with 95K miles here in SOCAL and it is rust free. It would be worth a trip to one of the "snowless" areas to purchase.

 

[JBecker]

I looked at plenty of rusty 4th gens before finding mine. Many came from above the Mason Dixon line. No way I would buy a used car from upstate NY, OH, MI, WI, etc. The one I wound up buying was a local vehicle with 1 owner who took care of it.

I'm actually looking at first gens at the moment and I'm searching out in the southwest.

 

[989mikelee83]

Thanks for the input guys. I suppose that living in Michigan and owning a used 4runner isn't the best idea. I really love 4runners but it looks like im going to have to find a alternative. I really wish they would hold up better in my neck of the woods, they are the best in its class. Nothing comes close.

 

[MississippiRunner]

2004 SR5 V6, 160K. Bought her on the Gulf Coast where it'd lived the first 5 years or so of it's life (not exactly salted roads, but a salty enough environment), and have since put about 50K on it. The kid who'd owned it prior liked to drive it on the beach :gun5: That said, there's no rust on the frame itself whatsoever. Buddy of mine lives in Boulder, Colorado (05 SR5) and we peeked under his last October to check the very same thing and noted a bit of surface rust. Simply sanded it off, cleaned the undercarriage, and undercoated. It's really not an issue if its taken care of.

 

[MikeInNH]

My 05 4runner with 250k miles on it has no rust what-so-ever on the body. And only surface rust on the frame. And NH is known for snow and salt. Plus I make a lot of trips to north country for skiing where they have more snow and salt....and usually a couple winter trips to upstate NY where they have even MORE snow and salt.

 

[JBecker]

Thanks for the input guys. I suppose that living in Michigan and owning a used 4runner isn't the best idea. I really love 4runners but it looks like im going to have to find a alternative. I really wish they would hold up better in my neck of the woods, they are the best in its class. Nothing comes close.

I honestly don't think they deteriorate any faster than other BOF vehicles. If you take care of it, it will last. If you let 4 months of salt sit on the frame without doing anything about it every year for a decade, you are gonna have problems no matter what it is.

 

[Bossman]

Similar to MikeInNH, my 2003 Limited (with roughly 160,000 km) has no rust what-so-ever on the body and only surface rust on the frame - Northern Ontario is also known for snow and road salt.

That said, in looking for a used 4Runner I would also be concerned about the various lines/systems that run along the frame - that is where my issues with corrosion have been.

At 132,000 km the height control (RAS) sensors failed due to corrosion.

At 138,000 km XREAS failed due to corrosion in the line near the center control absorber (complete loss of fluid).

At 150,000 km brake lines failed due to corrosion (complete loss of fluid while driving!).

I do take care of my (new-to-me in 2008) 4Runner with winter washing (well, more like rinsing) at the self-service car wash to try and get the salt off the undercarriage.

 

[MikeInNH]

If you take care of it, it will last.

I try to wash my vehicle once a week - paying particular attention to the undercarriage.

 

[M1911]

I live in Boston and have put 140k on my '03. I can tell you that there is a fair amount of rust on my 4Runner's frame. A couple years ago I tried to get as much as I could off one of the frame crossmembers and painted it with rust-converting paint. I haven't had the skid plate off to see if that has slowed the rot.

I don't think the frame rust is as bad as the Taco/Tundra frame issues, but the frame is steel, frame coatings get damaged by road debris, and steel rusts.

 

[MikeInNH]

I don't think the frame rust is as bad as the Taco/Tundra frame issues, but the frame is steel, frame coatings get damaged by road debris, and steel rusts.

And frames are usually very think. So any surface rust you get will take YEARS before it has any detrimental effect on the structure of the frame.

 

[989mikelee83]

Oddly enough when going down state this weekend I found a 4runner. I wanted a 4.0 4x4 but found a really clean v8 awd. It is a one owner, maintained, clean southern 4runner. :tea:

 

[DC runner]

Nice. Mine is a PA, rust belt, that managed to make it to me with no rust issues. The PO clearly cared for it. I suspect it was garaged and rinsed down often to remove salt.

So, it is possible to find a car in the rust prone area that is clean. That said, when in doubt, go south. In Grad School in central TX, you would see 40 year old cars with 0 rust on them.

 

[Bob J]

03 with 109K in the Boston area..... Fair amount of rust particularly in the rear under the spare.... Am strongly thinking of hitting it with POR15 in the spring when the weather gets warmer.... Unfortunately salt on the road will always be a problem here with snow/ice on the roads in the winter.... I rinse when I can but rust never sleeps....

 

[989mikelee83]

Living in Michigan im well aware of rust. My main concern was that my third gen is rusted out so bad. I didnt want the same thing happening to a 4th gen.

 

[vic2000]

Frame Rust

Everyone that owns a 4runner should contact Toyota and file a complaint with NHTSA and FTA. tacomas, tundras and sequias have recalls, we are being screwed. these trucks are unsafe, I could've been killed when my frame cracked. file a complaint online it only takes a minute.QUOTE=989mikelee83;1592391]Living in Michigan im well aware of rust. My main concern was that my third gen is rusted out so bad. I didnt want the same thing happening to a 4th gen.[/QUOTE]

 

[toybox]

I live in Philly and I am developing holes in my frame. The last inspection at the dealer they said it probably wouldn't pass next year. $800 to cut and weld in new pieces. I'm a little pissed, I've had this since new (2003 Sport) and have taken exceptional care of it and only have 99K on it.