Cause for concern? See pics

[jackstraw252]

I'm seeing it tomorrow morning. I'll bring a flashlight, wire brush, and a hammer to tap around. My investigative nature shows me that looking at the frame holes - the thickness is still there. Meaning it doesn't look to be thinning on the other side. Or maybe not...who really knows. The one owner fact really has me excited. I can only hope for so clean here on the east coast.

 

[Kanoe]

This one looks a lot nicer. The fact that the running board brackets are not bad is a good sign for the rest of the truck.

Main rust spot is around the rear lower control arm mount where the frame bends up. It’s a catch point that traps crap. Pound from the outside and a finger in a hole will give you a clue about the inside. Expect 2 inches of dirt if it’s never been washed out.

A timing belt job is easier to live with than a rust bucket in my opinion.

Other bargaining points are the rad and lbjs if they have not been changed. Both will need to be.

It’s a nice looking runner. Good luck.

Edit- the rusty pic is the gas tank skid. No big worry imo.

 

[jackstraw252]

Welp, I am now the new owner of a 2002 Sport Edition Thundercloud Metallic. I went and looked at it this morning and bought it. Its in really good shape and gave me no mechanical doubts on the 200 mile drive home. 30k miles past due for the timing belt....but oh well.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in and gave me things to look for and think about. This has a factory, or dealer, installed trailer hitch that has more rust than the 4runner itself. Taking that off ASAP. And looking for a good touch up pen to cover the multiple nicks, dings, and what have you.

Not sure what my plans are. Probably keep it to what I did with my other Toyotas. Upgrade tires, KO2 or Falken Wildpeak. Weathertech everywhere. Upgrade brakes. I am super excited and I can't believe how sound everything is after 232k miles.

 

[T4R2014]

Congrats. Get a wire brush and a can of rustoleum for that hitch. You will want it there if some idiot rear ends you while texting.

 

[jackstraw252]

Congrats. Get a wire brush and a can of rustoleum for that hitch. You will want it there if some idiot rear ends you while texting.

Good. Then I can get them to replace the rear bumper that’s all dinged up from the previous owners wife.

Out of the million rust prevention videos- is there one you recommend? Same basic process I’ve seen. Wire brush or grind out rust. Some type of rustoleum rust stopper. Maybe primer. Maybe paint.

 

[RandyBobandy]

my rear axle was worse than that so I put a wire wheel on a grinder and got the majority of it off, then painted it with por 15, in addition I keep the entire underside and axle coated with wd40 and that seems to stop the rust pretty well, make sure to get inside the frame as well

 

[T4R2014]

Good. Then I can get them to replace the rear bumper that’s all dinged up from the previous owners wife.

Out of the million rust prevention videos- is there one you recommend? Same basic process I’ve seen. Wire brush or grind out rust. Some type of rustoleum rust stopper. Maybe primer. Maybe paint.

Get a needle scaler. Use your best judgement on the axle housing. If it's too scaly then why open the can of worms and grind it until you make a hole? Wire wheel the surface rust. Prime and paint. Use what you like, it makes little difference. This is just to make it pretty. To make it last you must fluid film it.

 

[jackstraw252]

Cleaned up. New wiper blades are the only thing I changed so far. And a tank of gas.