fix frame rust or sell for parts

[moodle]

I have a 2004 T4R and it has 173,000 miles. Runs well, but the frame is very rusted and no one around me (upstate NY) will repair it. As you know, replacing the frame costs way more than it would be worth.

Breaks my heart, but I decided to buy a Tacoma, and the dealer is not offering much for the trade-in. So I'm think of selling it to someone who will part it out. Sort of like how the family of an organ donor can be happy that their loved one is still alive in some way.

Has anyone sold their T4R for parts? I really don't know how to look for a company that buys them. Thanks for ideas

 

[rwh963]

might be worthwhile to negotiate directly with a salvage yard.

 

[fourwd1]

Yeah, if you can drive it to a salvage yard talk to them and see what a dealer will give you for it, you never know.

Also check into donating it to a charity, even when it's sold for salvage you can deduct that amount from taxes.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

If its a good running V8, that could possibly be worth a little more to a salvage yard or someone who is looking for a replacement.

 

[4r-4ever]

no one will accept to repair it since it takes so much time and effort to repair rusted parts. you will replace one, another one will break. it's a continuous headache.

just let it go and accept the loss.

I have a 2004 T4R and it has 173,000 miles. Runs well, but the frame is very rusted and no one around me (upstate NY) will repair it. As you know, replacing the frame costs way more than it would be worth.

Breaks my heart, but I decided to buy a Tacoma, and the dealer is not offering much for the trade-in. So I'm think of selling it to someone who will part it out. Sort of like how the family of an organ donor can be happy that their loved one is still alive in some way.

Has anyone sold their T4R for parts? I really don't know how to look for a company that buys them. Thanks for ideas

 

[Buckaroo]

I have a 2004 T4R and it has 173,000 miles. Runs well, but the frame is very rusted and no one around me (upstate NY) will repair it. As you know, replacing the frame costs way more than it would be worth.

Breaks my heart, but I decided to buy a Tacoma, and the dealer is not offering much for the trade-in. So I'm think of selling it to someone who will part it out. Sort of like how the family of an organ donor can be happy that their loved one is still alive in some way.

Has anyone sold their T4R for parts? I really don't know how to look for a company that buys them. Thanks for ideas

I had to let my 3rd gen go 4 years ago due to frame rust after fixing it several times. I ended up selling it to Copart USA. I think they gave me $700 or so for it and came and picked it up. They will give you a quote on-line. No doubt you could do better parting it out but I was happy enough to get it out of the garage.

https://www.copart.com/sellForIndividuals/

 

[MikeinNH67]

Parting cars out is a bit of a pain plus takes up space and time. Personally I'd try CL and FB Marketplace selling it whole. You never know what someone will pay for if they can fix it themselves. Look at your area and see if there are any for sale with similar issues. Here the cheapest you'll generally see for a Gen 4 is 1500 and they seem to sell quickly even with rusted frames. Just be honest about it.

 

[theladyviola]

Parting cars out is a bit of a pain plus takes up space and time. Personally I'd try CL and FB Marketplace selling it whole. You never know what someone will pay for if they can fix it themselves. Look at your area and see if there are any for sale with similar issues. Here the cheapest you'll generally see for a Gen 4 is 1500 and they seem to sell quickly even with rusted frames. Just be honest about it.

True. Someone with welding skills could replace the whole frame with SafeTCaps if the price is right and it’d outlast the rest of the vehicle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[monsterbuilder]

Hi everyone! I'm still too new to create my own thread, so my only option for asking the question is to piggyback someone else's post.

I recently purchased a 2004 4Runner that has lived it's whole life in Washington state. My guess by looking at the undercarriage is that it was driven on the beach/ocean a few times.

I live in Oregon and don't plan to drive it on any salted roads or in the ocean. Because I live in the PNW, I'm not sure if I should take any extra precautions to keep the frame safe from further erosion. I personally would like to make it look nice and clean, so I don't mind putting some time on a weekend to clean up some spots?

What would you recommend? Leave it as is because it's perfectly fine and not worth the effort? Or spent a weekend to wire brush off the surface rust and repaint with rustoleum?

Here are some pictures:

 

[MikeinNH67]

Hi everyone! I'm still too new to create my own thread, so my only option for asking the question is to piggyback someone else's post.

I recently purchased a 2004 4Runner that has lived it's whole life in Washington state. My guess by looking at the undercarriage is that it was driven on the beach/ocean a few times.

I live in Oregon and don't plan to drive it on any salted roads or in the ocean. Because I live in the PNW, I'm not sure if I should take any extra precautions to keep the frame safe from further erosion. I personally would like to make it look nice and clean, so I don't mind putting some time on a weekend to clean up some spots?

What would you recommend? Leave it as is because it's perfectly fine and not worth the effort? Or spent a weekend to wire brush off the surface rust and repaint with rustoleum?

Um, what rust are you speaking of? I wish mine looked like that. If it bugs you, clean up the surface rust and throw some paint on it otherwise carry on with life. BTW, one way to know you will end up with a frame rust issue is when the skid plates turn into cracker like material. I removed mine a few years ago and they fell apart when I touched them.

BYW, welcome to the forum.

 

[theladyviola]

Hi everyone! I'm still too new to create my own thread, so my only option for asking the question is to piggyback someone else's post.

I recently purchased a 2004 4Runner that has lived it's whole life in Washington state. My guess by looking at the undercarriage is that it was driven on the beach/ocean a few times.

I live in Oregon and don't plan to drive it on any salted roads or in the ocean. Because I live in the PNW, I'm not sure if I should take any extra precautions to keep the frame safe from further erosion. I personally would like to make it look nice and clean, so I don't mind putting some time on a weekend to clean up some spots?

What would you recommend? Leave it as is because it's perfectly fine and not worth the effort? Or spent a weekend to wire brush off the surface rust and repaint with rustoleum?

Here are some pictures:

It’s always worth the effort. Even if you don’t rattle can it (or even if you do), I’d Fluid Film, Surface Shield (my choice this year), or Woolwax the shit out of the inside frame rails and undercarriage. It’s cheap protection.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DAH_2727]

that rust doesnt look bad to me at all

 

[monsterbuilder]

It’s always worth the effort. Even if you don’t rattle can it (or even if you do), I’d Fluid Film, Surface Shield (my choice this year), or Woolwax the shit out of the inside frame rails and undercarriage. It’s cheap protection.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the recommendation. Surface Shield looks like some awesome stuff. What process would you recommend for my frame and location? Would you try to remove some surface rust with a wire brush, degrease/clean, then coat with Surface Shield?

 

[theladyviola]

Thanks for the recommendation. Surface Shield looks like some awesome stuff. What process would you recommend for my frame and location? Would you try to remove some surface rust with a wire brush, degrease/clean, then coat with Surface Shield?

I would. It’s not going to do much good on flaky rust so wire brush and smack around with a hammer for sure. The frames rust from the inside out, so coating the inside of the frame is important. The pinch welds are where it gives. Try to blow the frame out with compressed air. My compressor is in storage so I pressure washed the inside of the frame, as best I could, and let it dry for days.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LK2me2]

2005 T4R V-8 Limitedwith rusted frame

My 2005 T4R Limited V8, 153,000 miles, excellent condition in every other way, was just diagnosed by my mechanic with a rusted through frame that has holes that has started to separate near rear passenger side wheel. Vehicle was suddenly dipping and diving on both sides of front end at 35 mph. Very scary, but got it pulled over safely. Vehicle has always been in Illinois where we use salt on the roads. Engine is good, body good, no rust and no accidents. I've located a mechanic who with a "new condition" replacement frame part, would do that work to swap the frame out, but it costs $7,000 with no guarantee more rusted parts that add to the cost. I already had a brake line leak followed by a different brake line suddenly lose all of the fluid and I lost the ability to brake completely 2 years ago. The waffle looking skid plate is rusted completely. I did not realize after several times the traction control 3 lights going on and then off again or not throwing a relevant code when tester was used at Auto Zone, until I read these posts, that this was a sign of frame rust problems. I thought the rattling sound when vehicle waa near a building and idling was the skid plate being loose because one clip or bolt was gone.

I am asking if for a 20 year old 4-Runner that cannot be driven far or fast as is, is it worth $7k to repair frame, or how do I at least get something for a 2005 T4D with 4.7l V-8 with only 153k miles? Valve heads were replaced at 125k miles. I am a senior and not a mechanic, unable to do the frame repair myself, or part the vehicle out myself. What is the best way to sell to someone who would part it out or repair it themsef to use, and approximately what would I ask for it or expect to get from either of those options? Have any of you sold one for parts, and if so who do you sell it to to get top dollar? Thank you all in advance for your advice and help deciding what to do.

 

[rdruss]

My 2005 T4R Limited V8, 153,000 miles, excellent condition in every other way, was just diagnosed by my mechanic with a rusted through frame that has holes that has started to separate near rear passenger side wheel. Vehicle was suddenly dipping and diving on both sides of front end at 35 mph. Very scary, but got it pulled over safely. Vehicle has always been in Illinois where we use salt on the roads. Engine is good, body good, no rust and no accidents. I've located a mechanic who with a "new condition" replacement frame part, would do that work to swap the frame out, but it costs $7,000 with no guarantee more rusted parts that add to the cost. I already had a brake line leak followed by a different brake line suddenly lose all of the fluid and I lost the ability to brake completely 2 years ago. The waffle looking skid plate is rusted completely. I did not realize after several times the traction control 3 lights going on and then off again or not throwing a relevant code when tester was used at Auto Zone, until I read these posts, that this was a sign of frame rust problems. I thought the rattling sound when vehicle waa near a building and idling was the skid plate being loose because one clip or bolt was gone.

I am asking if for a 20 year old 4-Runner that cannot be driven far or fast as is, is it worth $7k to repair frame, or how do I at least get something for a 2005 T4D with 4.7l V-8 with only 153k miles? Valve heads were replaced at 125k miles. I am a senior and not a mechanic, unable to do the frame repair myself, or part the vehicle out myself. What is the best way to sell to someone who would part it out or repair it themsef to use, and approximately what would I ask for it or expect to get from either of those options? Have any of you sold one for parts, and if so who do you sell it to to get top dollar? Thank you all in advance for your advice and help deciding what to do.

I have an '03 Limited V8 4runner that has/had frame rust, live in Northern Illinois like you. I had a couple of 6" x 6" patches welded into my frame for $1K a few years ago and have scraped a ton of rust from inside the frame as well. Mine, like yours is in great shape otherwise at 160K miles. Think what you would have to pay to replace your 4Runner with something equivalent if that's what you would want. By the time your frame is replaced it may well cost $10K, but is that a bad deal considering the expensive vehicles sold today and many are junk when new. You are probably going to need new brake lines and several other pieces before the frame swap is complete, but if you trust your mechanic to do a thorough and quality job, I would consider it.