Frame damage

[mustangaustin34]

Rig was being a little wobbly at 70 mph on the highway, pulled over and discovered this frame damage (driver’s side right before the rear tire). Was wondering if this is the end of my 4Runner? Has 432,000+ miles on it and purchased it new back in 1998. Was curious if anyone else was successful in alleviating this problem as well if you took it to a frame alignment/welding shop and the costs. Thanks for the advice.

 

[wemslie97]

Probably THE most common spot to rust out on the 3rd generation 4runner; rear lower control arm bracket. Damn you rust demons! As for help I can't give any but I'm sure others will chime in here.

 

[weekendclimber]

[MENTION=28464]eimkeith[/MENTION] might have a solution for you. http://eimkeith.com/buystuff/lls/

 

[DaMonkey]

You bought it new and put 432k on it?

Anything can be fixed. Fight for it!!

Actually your rust does not look terrible, and worth fixing. But that spot on frame sneaks up on people. it’s not a small job. Fortunately there are kits with reinforcement plates ready to weld in, just needs a lot of prep.

I think I saw the plates on eBay, but if Keith is making them, he’s making great stuff and he’s one of us.

I hope you go for it and keep us updated. How’s rest of rust situation? Lots of info in here about prevention. Check out fluid film.

Friggin. Hate. Rust.

 

[rkntoy]

[MENTION=28464]eimkeith[/MENTION] might have a solution for you. Lower Link Mount Reinforcement ? eimkeith.com

Not for up that high.

 

[nobb]

Is that also rusted out on the fuel tank side? Going to be a huge PITA to have to remove the tank and reinforce that side too.

 

[TheDurk]

That's where mine went. Don't be driving when that lets go. If you are, don't brake, don't steer, and above all, DO NOT accelerate, even a little. Just coast to a stop and call a tow. I went the frame swap route. Major work, but I now have a truck good for another 20 years of loyal service. I did a lot of other work at the same time and everything unser there got POR-15, except the new stuff. Lesson: I should have done the new stuff. Now it's rusty.

Details in my sig.

 

[Mark_BC]

I did a lot of other work at the same time and everything unser there got POR-15, except the new stuff. Lesson: I should have done the new stuff. Now it's rusty.

The factory underside paint and / or surface prep is not good. It automatically starts rusting at the welds as the weld surface is not likely properly prepped for painting. Additionally, any sharp edges will not have proper paint coating and rust will start there. From there, in the salt zone the rust will just creep under the rest of the paint. Even perfect paint with zero rust should be coated with several coats of good rattle can paint, even for Californians since inevitably they will go into the mountains or drive on the coast with salt on the road, or be by the coast with salt air.

 

[jkeith.w]

[MENTION=28464]eimkeith[/MENTION] might have a solution for you. Lower Link Mount Reinforcement ? eimkeith.com

I think I saw the plates on eBay, but if Keith is making them, he’s making great stuff and he’s one of us.

Thanks guys! -but unfortunately, my reinforcement skids won't help this scenario.

To repair that, I'd think you'd need to pull the tank, remove what's left of the lower link mount and remove the body mount from the frame, then section in a new piece from a donor frame, plate it, and then reinstall the body and link mounts. AND, you probably need to think about the other side as well.

(sorry!)

 

[suncoug]

I have been in touch with the owner at Autorust.com that makes well engineered kits for frame repair for Tacomas and 4th Gen 4Runners such as below:

https://www.autorust.com/product/mid-frame-section-w-rear-lower-trailing-arm-mount-art-202-s/

I wrote to him several time about making the same kits for 3rd Gen 4Runners and he said his team is actively working on it.

I actually bought a kit from eBay but I would much rather have a real solution like the ones at Autorust.

I could not see your photo. However, you might want to look into the above solution. I think they might become more serious if they see more real interest.

 

[dogtail]

I have been in touch with the owner at Autorust.com that makes well engineered kits for frame repair for Tacomas and 4th Gen 4Runners such as below:

https://www.autorust.com/product/mid-frame-section-w-rear-lower-trailing-arm-mount-art-202-s/

I wrote to him several time about making the same kits for 3rd Gen 4Runners and he said his team is actively working on it.

I actually bought a kit from eBay but I would much rather have a real solution like the ones at Autorust.

I could not see your photo. However, you might want to look into the above solution. I think they might become more serious if they see more real interest.

Nice, and that company is not far from where I live. Although I'm determined to never need them.

 

[B4Him2Day]

Rig was being a little wobbly at 70 mph on the highway, pulled over and discovered this frame damage (driver’s side right before the rear tire). Was wondering if this is the end of my 4Runner? Has 432,000+ miles on it and purchased it new back in 1998. Was curious if anyone else was successful in alleviating this problem as well if you took it to a frame alignment/welding shop and the costs. Thanks for the advice.

I've fixed worse on the rear of the 80's pickups. That doesn't look bad. If you have done regular maintenance and everything else is good, I would fix it with re-enforcement.While doing the drivers side, now would be the time to do both. While you have a Welder, check out all the cross-members also. Hope it goes well!