Fender Rust and Rear Window...

[vabyrd]

My "new" '89 t4r has the "typical Toyota rust pattern" around the fenders and quarter panels. Anyone have a fix they've tried that doesnt involve a body shop?? I'm not trying to make a beauty queen, but I want to at least slow/stop the progress.

Next on the list is the rear window. Its goes almost all the way down, with some help. Then back up is a 2 person job. Wife on the key, me inside helping it up. Sound like lots of slipping and grinding in there. Even down the rear gate wont open, for some reason the lock is stuck down. Yet another project. Bought it off my father-in-law after 10 years of begging. He got it with 80K, garage kept, owned by some rich guy who only drove it in the snow. Amazing, 20 years after high school, I finally got the vehicle I WANTED in high school..

Yep,life comes at you fast....

 

[Sidney]

For body rust I cannot help,as for the tailgate problem I believe your tailgate motor gear is stripped.

You can get a 4-Runner rear tailgate window motor from these vehicles as they would be easier and cheaper:

A)80

 

[slacker]

for body rust .. I can help .

http://www.toyotafiberglass.com

easy do it yourself replacements .

 

[austintaco]

My 89 had rust on 3 fenders. One had been replaced already. My mechanic repaired the other 3 for a few hundred bucks ($300) and left them primered. The repair looks good, but I don't know how long it will last. When I went through it this Summer, I went from the back and saw lots of rust still around so I sanded and sprayed with converter and the painted. I plan to have the truck painted soon, and I will make sure the panels are in good shape before the paint hits them.

Another option: Get some Bushwacker cut out fender flares and cut the bad part off and install the Bushwackers over them.

On my 84, its mostly rust free, but when I pulled the chrome trim, I had some rust going. I spent about 2 hours on each side and I think I have it nipped in the bud.(sanded, bondo, sand, converter, primer, etc...)

 

[elvisrex]

Even down the rear gate wont open, for some reason the lock is stuck down.

I had this same problem on my 86. so, took it all apart, studied how it OUGHT to be working (you can manipulate the tailgate open/close stuff), then figured that the reason the handle wouldn't lift was b/c the lock wouldn't come up. which, once I got to digging around in the bottom of the tailgate, turned out to be because this little hinge spring had jumped out of its super-tiny hole. so, I held the lock to 'unlock,' I think, got that spring back in (its two 'arms' go different ways -- one goes in a hole in the bracket, the other catches on the locking mechanism, which needs that pressure to let the handle engage). and, now, it works every time (though the spring's delicate enough that I hold the lock up when I'm opening the handle). wish I had some pics, but it's all put back together now.

too, really, wish I just a had a new/better spring. but I'll run across one one of these days.

as for the window: had no idea all those different motors would fit. superexcellent. mine's not dead, but it's not living long, either.

 

[foskco87]

Ok so the rust, it all depends on how much you have, bubbling and small spots can be sanded down, POR15'd and then primered and painted if you like but that may take a body shop ( but very minimal body work). If the rust is significant, you might want to try filling it and then follow the last 3 things i said but that makes for an inferior product, especially if its right on the edge where it can be easily broken off. If you have waited this long for the runner and really love it I would suggest doing the first thing I said unless theres too much rust in which I would replace the front panels and maybe get the rear peices welded in, its worth it cause you end up with practically brand new fenders and then you wont have to worry as much about rust starting again (of course you still will have to worry as it is a toyota none the less) Either way look into POR15, that stuff is bionic and you can slap it right down on the rust if you learn how to do it properly which will stop it from rusting anymore in the meantime, which can give you more time to thinka bout it or to save up money to fix it. I know alot of guys that get a little rust, POR15 it and just keep right on going. I hope that helps, if you want any more help post a picture of the rust so I can see how bad it is, then I can probably give you the best solution for your runner. Good luck!