Acceptable Rust?

[T4Rnewb]

Im looking at a 2002 T4R SR5 Sport Edition 4x4 located in Syracuse NY, driven in Holley NY, with 108k on the vehicle. The seller provided some undercarriage pictures that showed what he called "expected rust for a vehicle of this year"
I haven't inspected enough vehicles containing rust to know if there is more than meets the eye here, but I've heard that buying a vehicle from the North is more likely to experience rust because of the conditions it is driven in. Is the location of the pictures an adequate view for the amount of rust on the vehicle? Anyone with experience dealing with rust is welcome to comment!
Toyota : 4Runner: eBay Motors (item 150510819663 end time Nov-02-10 20:54:13 PDT)

 

[theizzardking]

i didn't see any pics of the under carriage anything i'm missing here?

if those are the only pics (the ones on the main listing page) they show nothing that would be a indicator of how bad the rust is, if they are trying to show little patches on the body of the truck you can bet it's 100x's worse under neather the truck.....


try this next time when you post right click the pics your talking about and pick copy image location then click the add pic icon here when your posting then right click in that box again "paste" then ok it, it should post the pics your talking about in here for us to look at without you having to download them..

sorry if i missed a link to them or something

 

[TheDurk]

Well, there are two shots of the frame rail that look pretty good. But you really want pics of a lot more, including rear diff, fuel tank, exhaust system, rear suspension, cross-frame rails, etc. What they showed was a place that usually doesn't rust that much as it out of the direct hit zone for wheel splash.

 

[T4Rnewb]

i didn't see any pics of the under carriage anything i'm missing here?

if those are the only pics (the ones on the main listing page) they show nothing that would be a indicator of how bad the rust is, if they are trying to show little patches on the body of the truck you can bet it's 100x's worse under neather the truck.....


try this next time when you post right click the pics your talking about and pick copy image location then click the add pic icon here when your posting then right click in that box again "paste" then ok it, it should post the pics your talking about in here for us to look at without you having to download them..

sorry if i missed a link to them or something

Added pics

 

[T4Rnewb]

Well, there are two shots of the frame rail that look pretty good. But you really want pics of a lot more, including rear diff, fuel tank, exhaust system, rear suspension, cross-frame rails, etc. What they showed was a place that usually doesn't rust that much as it out of the direct hit zone for wheel splash.

I just spoke with the seller and he said he would send me more pictures of the undercarriage.
Durk - That would be AWESOME if you could do that! I could try and work out some gas money for you or something because i am in Atlanta and would not be able to just shoot up there to check out the condition.

 

[Hepar]

Im looking at a 2002 T4R SR5 Sport Edition 4x4 located in Syracuse NY, driven in Holley NY, with 108k on the vehicle. The seller provided some undercarriage pictures that showed what he called "expected rust for a vehicle of this year"
I haven't inspected enough vehicles containing rust to know if there is more than meets the eye here, but I've heard that buying a vehicle from the North is more likely to experience rust because of the conditions it is driven in. Is the location of the pictures an adequate view for the amount of rust on the vehicle? Anyone with experience dealing with rust is welcome to comment!
Toyota : 4Runner: eBay Motors (item 150510819663 end time Nov-02-10 20:54:13 PDT)

I think it all depends on what you consider acceptable. When I was looking for mine, I wasn't finding and in my area, so I started to expand my search to ones out of state, but I stayed clear of ones from the NE. Just way to much rust for me to handle.

In my opinion, all of that rust just makes things that much harder to deal with down the road and I plan on having this 4Runner for a LONG time. Just by looking at the pics of the engine bay I would determine that there is a significant amount underneath.

Ended up finding one in the Bay Area and it had zero rust. Couldn't be happier.

 

[Izanewman]

If that is the worst of it, that's not big deal at all. I would want to see more pics of the undercariage, especially in the rear where all the salt sprays up.

 

[quicksilvr]

I looked at that same 4runner on eBay yesterday.

If you are worried about rust, you really need pictures of the rear axle area.

Based on the engine bay shot, I'd say that truck has a moderate amount of corrosion. When the intake manifold is oxidized and the throttle body bracket is orange (as well as several other brackets), it's usually a pretty good sign of moderate corrosion on the rest of the truck. I know....my truck is from Massachusetts. Rust galore....hate it. I would have paid $1000 less if I knew it was as bad as it was. I've had to have the pan-hard bar mount welded, and broken countless bolts due to the corrosion.

 

[T4Rnewb]

If that is the worst of it, that's not big deal at all. I would want to see more pics of the undercariage, especially in the rear where all the salt sprays up.

I spoke with the seller on the phone and he said he would take some more pictures of the undercarriage for me and send them, but that was two day ago now with not much more than an email stating that he was going to take them soon.

I looked at that same 4runner on eBay yesterday.

If you are worried about rust, you really need pictures of the rear axle area.

Based on the engine bay shot, I'd say that truck has a moderate amount of corrosion. When the intake manifold is oxidized and the throttle body bracket is orange (as well as several other brackets), it's usually a pretty good sign of moderate corrosion on the rest of the truck. I know....my truck is from Massachusetts. Rust galore....hate it. I would have paid $1000 less if I knew it was as bad as it was. I've had to have the pan-hard bar mount welded, and broken countless bolts due to the corrosion.

Thats what I'm worried about which is why i'm probably going to continue my search. my patience are just wearing thin trying to find "the perfect one"

Overall, it looks clean. As already stated you need better pictures of the undercarriage. Those are two piss-poor pictures and the seller knows that. At least get one showing the rear differential. That will be very telling.

Here are some things I noticed that you should be aware of. Probably rust on the upper driver's windshield corner (which means there is probably a lot more hidden under the molding), rust on the sill of at least both drivers side doors, dent in rear bumper extension covered with touch-up paint, and possibly something going on on the lip of the hood just to the right of the grille. Just things to be aware of if you are buying this from pictures only. I'm not saying don't buy it, just want to limit the surprises if you do. Looks like it was taken care of. No vehicle from a salt state with 100k+ is going to be perfect

Thanks for pointing out those other areas! I noticed the back bumper area but didnt know what to look for in the engine bay and those other areas you pointed out. After reading the replies to my post I think I'm gonna hold out.

 

[Hepar]

Thats what I'm worried about which is why i'm probably going to continue my search. my patience are just wearing thin trying to find "the perfect one"

Don't settle! The perfect one is out there!