Beginning of the end...

[Nelsonmd]

Well, I knew that rust would eventually cost me my 4runner, but I just realized that it is worse than I thought. I went to replace the bugflector and found that there is a bunch of rust on the inside of the hood along the front edge. Further inspection found that my rocker panels are completely rusted though, I punched it and my fingers went right through. The rear hatch just continues to rust out.

The frame still looks ok, but no matter how much rust stripping and POR-15 I put on, every season it rusts through everything I did.

So not to be too overdramatic since I knew this thing was rusty anyway, I am now thinking I should be preparing for the inevitable death of this thing. Just wanted to get your thoughts on how much I should continue to out into it.

I have duratracs for the winter, and my summer tires are pretty much worn out, and I am now thinking that I shouldn't invest in another set of summer tires, just run the duratracs from now on. I need to spend about $120 on new brake rotors pads and shoes, so that is kind of inevitable.

Y'all know how aggressively I have gone after rust and how much work I have done on it, replacing most parts except the engine and tranny. I have invested far more money than I ever should have. I don't want a totally $hit looking vehicle, so the rusted through rocker panels bums me out alot.

So anyway, here are a couple pics for ya'll to make yourself feel better about your own rigs... Let me know what you think about my options. Realizing how much better a modern vehicle with traction control can handle snow, I don't think I have that much loyalty to the 4runner left (that's not to say I don't love and respect these things...)

I covered alot of the rust with rust converter, so it looks pretty dark in these pictures, but hopefully you can see it all...

 

[KANO]

Sucks to hear man but don't give up on her just yet!

Which areas did you treat with POR15 though? I'm not really seeing any on the undercarriage?

You still have options, such as having new sheet metal welded in + paint. You can then take it to a shop and have their rust prevention treatment done in the door jams, frame, and other nooks and crannies.

Might still be much less cost than a new ride, if everything else is in good order? If $$ is an issue, get yourself a small personal loan from a local credit union. Could probably pay that back in 2 years and have a "free" rig again?

 

[LookAtThatDog]

Body rust sucks man. Your frame looks clean though. Our 4runners together would make a brand new truck haha

It just depends on how much work you want to put in man. I've seen trucks in my area with rusted frames or extremely high mileage engines with great bodies go for 1000-1500. You could try a body swap and sell any parts you have left over. Continuing to por 15 on those rockers and rear door doesnt look like it's going to be a magic cure. Idk much about body repairs with welding either. Good luck brother

 

[Brique]

Have you considered taking off all the parts you want to keep, putting a bullet in it and replacing it with a rust-free southern 3rd gen? Then you could treat the hell out of it before the rust starts in.

I was at the pull it yard a couple months ago and they had just gotten in a wrecked 2wd '99 and I'm tellin you this thing looked like it was a year old underneath. There wasn't a spot of rust on it. Honestly if i had had the time, I would have taken every piece off the bottom i could have just to replace the parts on my truck with something cleaner.

Anyway, all that to say that at some point, it's just best to start over. There are still rust free 3rd gens down here to be found.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Is all that rust from living in Beantown or was some of it collected in CO? My cousin, who works at the Harvard book store says his Mits Montero only has surface rust bit underneath his wife's Camry had holes in the front panels three years after she bought it new.

Unless you have pockets deep enough to live on Beacon Hill, I'd either fix it or more than likely sell it and buy a newer car. I'd probably cry if my tailgate was in that bad of shape.

I have taken mine through streets flooded by salt water many times and it only has surface rust underneath.

 

[T4R2014]

The frame looks pretty decent for being in MA. I've seen a few cases of rocker rust starting to come around on these things too. That tailgate is by far the craziest, though. I've never seen anything like that on a 3rd Gen. That's like Vermont rust. I would run if I saw a Vermont vehicle for sale.

BTW, I noticed you put an ad on here for your friend's 4Runner. Did that ever sell?

 

[96743runner]

Wow, that's some pretty insane rust. I live in Hawaii and have not personally seen something like that.

I don't have any advice for fixing your rust issue. However, +1 on finding another 3rd gen in good shape and swapping over the good parts from your current 4Runner. Good luck!