Anyone get their runner rust proofed?

[rickwol]

When I bought my TE runner last fall the salesperson of course listed some add-ons that I could purchase one being the rust-proofing package for an additional $750. At first I hesitated and thought no. I remember consumer reports saying that most vehicles are manufactured today to resist rusting etc and that if you aren't going to keep the vehcle for more then 3 years there is little benefit. Living in upstate NY where they excessively salt the roads. (I've seen them come by my house and lay down salt 3x in 3 hrs for a 2 inch snowfall) on several occasions. Also, I had a neighbor who had the entire frame dealer replaced on his Tacoma (recall affecting vehicles in certain geographies).

So, I went ahead and had them do it (actually they subcontract it to another place to get it done). I recently had the vehicle on a lift and I can say that they covered every single part of the undercarriage minus the exhaust and of course the differentials. They also go in behind the plastic in the wheel wells, etc. I plan on keeping this thing forever so I thought it was pretty good insurance as the warrranty seems fairly good, providing you bring it back once a year for an inspection and possible re-application.

 

[Johnny Utah]

seems like a pretty good investment. I wonder if that is something i could add to my truck? I hate that salt/chemicals, it just eats up the metal.

 

[GrantK]

Rick,

I’m in a similar situation. I’m planning on buying a ’11 TE this spring/summer and plan on keeping it until the wheels fall off. My current vehicle is a ’93 Explorer that I bought new when I lived in the Rust Belt (burbs of Chicago) and didn’t get it rust proofed. Four years later I moved to Colorado where they don’t use salt at all and it’s very dry (think high desert). The Explorer now has one spot of cancer rust about ¼” x 2.5” right about the right rear wheel well. Whether it caused by the salt from Chi Town, Colorado dust getting into seams and giving moisture a chance to do its thing or a combination of both doesn’t matter, it’s got cancer rust which is depressing, looks bad and hurts it’s value.

If I still lived in the Rust Belt, it would be a no-brainer for me. Take it to Ziebart and get it rust proofed and sound proofed. Most dealers where I used to live will send it to Ziebart for you like your dealer is offering. However, in Colorado commercial rust proofers are few and far between and none I’ve checked offer a warranty I like. So I’m pretty much stuck with either leaving it without rust proofing and hoping for the best or going DIY, voiding the factory rust warranty and hoping I do a good enough job so it out lasts the factory warranty by a long time. I haven't decided which way I'm going to go yet.

If I where you, I’d check out other commercial rust proofing. Compare costs and warranties. Then go with what I think is the best one.

 

[Canadian144]

We get a ton of salt in Toronto, so we got the dealer to throw in the electronic rustproofing module free of charge. I've always preferred the spray-on rustproofing, as it adds a little bit of sound-proofing to the underside of the vehicle. May get the spray-on stuff put on later by an outside party, as the dealer no longer offers it. I'll have to see how the electronic module holds up I suppose. Have read some great things about them, as well as some things that make them sound like a big gimmick. We had one on my Mom's G35x sedan before we traded it in for her G37x coupe, and it seemed to hold up fine for a few years, no signs of any rust.

 

[1engineer]

before college, I used to work in a rustproofing business. When I bought my 4Runner I did not want this add on. In some cases this can cause more rust than without, and do you really want some guy making $7.50/hr drilling holes in your new 4Runner? I don't.

 

[rickwol]

before college, I used to work in a rustproofing business. When I bought my 4Runner I did not want this add on. In some cases this can cause more rust than without, and do you really want some guy making $7.50/hr drilling holes in your new 4Runner? I don't.

Actually they no longer drill holes in the door/body panels, at least they did not with my new 4runner. I ended up getting this done and the warranty seems like it's pretty good. And since I do plan on keeping it forever I thought it wasn't bad insurance especially knowing that Toyota has had a history of rust problems. Years ago I had a 2nd gen 4runner (1990) and I had significant rot throughout. I actually ended up having extensive body work done, new sheet metal welded etc just to keep it looking decent. In reference to the previous post regarding the electronic rust modules I am very surprised that they are still being offered. I remember Chrysler doing that a few years ago (I believe it was a module placed in the trunk) and I'm sure that I read somewhere where those rust preventing claims were totally discredited.

 

[gbc]

you did the right thing to treat your car.

I live in montreal so I know all about it. Although I would of shopped around for the treatment.

I dont like the type of treatments that leak all over the place. The one the dealer sells is actually very good, but I was able to get one @ local shop for half that price...

cheers

 

[V8 AWD 4EVR]

A friend sold me my 5th Gen, and he said the smell you smell for the 1st 25 miles or so is the rust proofing that is sprayed under them at the port of entry and is burning off the engine parts that got oversprayed.

i would not buy extra rust proofing. Seems like a rip off, but perhaps Northern Canada is a bit harder on cars that the US!

V8

 

[Gpannu]

Take a look at the T4R owners manual there is a factory rust warranty included, I think for atleast 4 years. I got the undercoat done but did not get rust proofing in the panels. Dealers really rip you off on this stuff; it does provide peace of mind though.

 

[rshawiii]

before college, I used to work in a rustproofing business. When I bought my 4Runner I did not want this add on. In some cases this can cause more rust than without, and do you really want some guy making $7.50/hr drilling holes in your new 4Runner? I don't.

Any current thinking on ziebart or similar?

They have a sound deadening option, and the full does involve drilling doors and closed areas and squirting inside closed areas.

considering only on underbody, not full treatment.

Also, some posts indicate areas like colorado are not as corrosive as areas like chicago. But I know that some places in CO use magnesium chloride for dust control and I've been told it is corrosive.

Still of opinion not to do it?

 

[LUVDA4RUNNER]

I remove any surface rust and spray over w/rustoleum and my 2011 does not appear to have any significant rust.
I certainly do not think it is a bad idea to have the dealer put on rust proofing. They typically gouge you though. Often you can get them to lower the price

 

[rshawiii]

I remove any surface rust and spray over w/rustoleum and my 2011 does not appear to have any significant rust.
I certainly do not think it is a bad idea to have the dealer put on rust proofing. They typically gouge you though. Often you can get them to lower the price

Not exactly sure how you get into all the nooks and crannies, topside of skid plates, etc, etc.

I'm trying to figure out if it is worth the $ to have an aftermarket rustproofing jizz sprayed on the underside of a brand new t4r that will hopefully see lots of snow and dirt filled backstreet. ziebart's no-specials quote is $500 for undercoating only.

 

[RoverGS]

I've been looking into Fluid Film and I think I'm going to give that a shot. I haven't read too many downsides to going that route.

 

[audiciter]

I've been looking into Fluid Film and I think I'm going to give that a shot. I haven't read too many downsides to going that route.

I actually bought a case of the fluid film spray and after doing some research and seeing for myself how messy that job is, I took it to a shop that sprays with Krown.

Krown is a canadian company and gets great reviews. There were only a few locations in Ohio so I was lucky one was near. I think it ran about $180 and they even washed and waxed it afterwards to get rid of any overspray.

They normally drill holes but the 4runner has plenty of holes pre-drilled, so they used those instead. Overall I was happy with it. They spray everything underneath, inside the engine, all the doors/body panels. It will smell a little funky for a week or so while it burns off certain spots but it goes away.

https://www.krown.com/locations/

 

[Bossman]

After doing my research, and having been a pervious Rust Check customer on my old Celicas, I decided to go with Corrosion Free rustproofing on my 2011 4Runner (that I bought used in May 2016).

https://corrosionfree.com/

I had the underbody "U" package that treats the frame, gas tank, fuel and brake lines, parking brake cables, and wheel wells.

It is a no-drip, eco-friendly application.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvv86Kcn5Js