97 SR5 Black 5 Speed... Terminal Frame Rust

[FotoMaker]

The title says it all. She has 158k on the clock. No body rust.
Still safe to drive... Runs great... New clutch, tires and many other repairs done... Still needs more. Probably not going to try.

I'm not going to part her out myself as I don't have the skills or place to work.
I welcome opinions on what she is worth to someone who likes to restore or part out old 4Runners like mine.

Thanks!

Jeff

 

[donkeyhoatie]

I feel your pain. I had a 98 with 83K on the engine. Beautiful body, but terminal rust and frame rot and a rear control arm detached, making mine undriveable. It sucked. I sold mine to my mechanic for $1250. A week or so after it was gone, someone sent me a message offering $1500 for it, but it was already gone. Hope that gives you a ballpark figure for what you should expect to get out of it.

 

[FotoMaker]

Yeah... I followed your thread. Mine is not as bad as yours. She remains drivable. I had her evaluated at a body shop that said , in theory, they could fix her. Then, after seeing her on a lift, the owner said it was not worth it.

His #2 guy is preparing a price for me on a frame swap, which he has done before. He also told me that he may make me an offer, not so he can fix her, but said he'd drive her until the frame breaks. I interpret this to mean she still has some life left. Someone who has the desire, the place and the skills to work on her can probably keep her going for quite some time. Unfortunately, I am not that person.

I feel for you as well and thank you for your posts!

 

[Coastal616]

For comparison, I picked up this for $1100:

It was rear ended and had some body damage, but the frame is MINT....looks like its 3 months old. If only you were closer I would love to put a black body on it.

 

[Millerad1651]

There is another member, Dark Lord, who rolled his 5sp a few months ago...The frame is still in good condition (came from Florida), he may be willing to sell that to you if thats what you wanted to do. He's located in Indianapolis.

 

[mattgold]

It's a long shot... But maybe take it to a dealership and see if they will warranty it. Now before you spit out your coffee laughing...

I was talking to a buddy that owns a Toyota dealership back home and he said they were replacing 2-3 frames a week since Toyota extended the warranties on their frames (http://pressroom.toyota.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1406). He said he's seen a bunch of Tacomas & Sequoias come through and mentioned wanting to replace the frame on his personal 4Runner soon. I'm not sure he knows the in's and out's, or if it will *actually* cover a 4Runner - but it's worth a shot.

From the dealers perspective, their labor department make $XXXX doing the frame, so they'll go to bat for you if possible.

The only catch is; since you are a 97, you may have missed cut off by a couple months. 98+ guys may be in luck.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

4Runners aren't covers under the recall. Shit out of luck.

It's a long shot... But maybe take it to a dealership and see if they will warranty it. Now before you spit out your coffee laughing...

I was talking to a buddy that owns a Toyota dealership back home and he said they were replacing 2-3 frames a week since Toyota extended the warranties on their frames (Toyota | Toyota Announces Customer Support Program For 1995-2000 Tacoma Pickups). He said he's seen a bunch of Tacomas & Sequoias come through and mentioned wanting to replace the frame on his personal 4Runner soon. I'm not sure he knows the in's and out's, or if it will *actually* cover a 4Runner - but it's worth a shot.

From the dealers perspective, their labor department make $XXXX doing the frame, so they'll go to bat for you if possible.

The only catch is; since you are a 97, you may have missed cut off by a couple months. 98+ guys may be in luck.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

OP, can you post some pictures of the frame. As you'll see, I have a history of saving these things. Might be interested in yours.