Frame rust someone tell me ho bad it is
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weekendclimber
New member
Eek!! Anything can be fixed with enough $$$. Honestly though, I personally would not be driving that vehicle. That looks like it could let loose at any moment from the looks of it.:boom:
MaineRunna
Member
Totally fixable. Not that bad actually. How about up next to the gas tank on the inside of the driver's side frame? It is best to cut it out and repair beyond the bad spot then coat everything to stop the rust.
Arnezie
New member
I don’t think it’s all the way thru on drivers side. Didn’t poke too much at it. Just replaced my lower control arms due to originals being shot and saw this. I hope I can find someone willing to weld a plate on that local.
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VernySanders
New member
If I'm right with what I'm seeing I agree. It's not that bad I've seen WAY worse just YouTube it and your jaw will drop. But having a hole in the frame next to the muffler is actually quite normal. Now mine is not nearly as bad thank goodness but never the less I've got about a half dollar sized hole in my frame same spot due to heat resonating off muffler. (Or at least I assume)
tgreenwood75
New member
Not too bad at all. Just cut it out and have someone experienced weld a patch in to it. If the LCA mount is that bad then check the other problem spots (next to gas tank, rear of frame, crossmembers) to make sure you tackle it all at once.
After repairing, begin a prevention regimen like Fluid Film or WD40, plenty of info on this.
After repairing, begin a prevention regimen like Fluid Film or WD40, plenty of info on this.
dogtail
New member
Totally easily preventable.Ok I know it’s probably bad but how bad? Anyone tell me how long I have ? Can it be fixed ? Weld a plate on ? And after I’ve put about $1200 into in the last week [emoji31]
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Whhhhhhhhhhhyyyyyyy - Nancy Kerrigan
afrayedknot
New member
Just curious, were you aware of the rust when you purchased the car? Currently in the market myself.
cfranck1
New member
Welcome to the Rust club!!:sobbing:
Here's my Rusty frame looked like and the patch job I did to it.
In fact I fixed this about 8 years ago and since sold the Runner.. But I still see it from time to time around town. Good to know it's still kicking!!
Here's my Rusty frame looked like and the patch job I did to it.
In fact I fixed this about 8 years ago and since sold the Runner.. But I still see it from time to time around town. Good to know it's still kicking!!
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MStudt
official vendor
I guess I'll bring the bad news, or goods news depending on how you take it.
First off, no on this forum should be telling you how bad the rust is! Simply because we're only seeing it at surface level.
On the surface it doesn't look horrible, but it also doesn't look good. The LCA mount is a bad spot for rust to pop through, and has most likely spread forward towards your cross members by now. I would take a screw driver or a pick, and start poking around your frame for soft spots. This will give you a good idea on how bad it really is.
Mine didn't look bad when I started my repair. I originally started with needing to replace about a 12" long section just in front of the LCA mount. After cutting the rusted material out, and welding in new material. I quickly learned the next 6"-10" in either direction was thin due to rusting from the inside out, and I was burning holes through the frame when welding.
Taking it to a shop to get fixed will be pretty expensive. For the cost of paying someone to fix it you can buy a welder, regulator, mixed gas, metal, and paint for less.
Mike
First off, no on this forum should be telling you how bad the rust is! Simply because we're only seeing it at surface level.
On the surface it doesn't look horrible, but it also doesn't look good. The LCA mount is a bad spot for rust to pop through, and has most likely spread forward towards your cross members by now. I would take a screw driver or a pick, and start poking around your frame for soft spots. This will give you a good idea on how bad it really is.
Mine didn't look bad when I started my repair. I originally started with needing to replace about a 12" long section just in front of the LCA mount. After cutting the rusted material out, and welding in new material. I quickly learned the next 6"-10" in either direction was thin due to rusting from the inside out, and I was burning holes through the frame when welding.
Taking it to a shop to get fixed will be pretty expensive. For the cost of paying someone to fix it you can buy a welder, regulator, mixed gas, metal, and paint for less.
Mike
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Arnezie
New member
I’ve owned it for 4 years no holes when I bought it and just saw the holes yesterday they were not there before winter
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MStudt
official vendor
There's no way that happened in a couple months, and it's been there a lot longer than you think. You just never noticed it since our frames rot from the inside out.
I'm willing to bet if you start poking around that you'll have a bigger issue than what you're currently seeing. I would start poking at the frame in front and behind your LCA mount to see ho wbad it really is.
Mike
#fact!
This rust has been there for YEARS. And like [MENTION=98153]MStudt[/MENTION] said, if you start poking around you’ll find more. And can guarantee that you’ll need to cut out beyond the clean looking metal from the outside. This repair at a shop will cost a lot. The issue is, most body shops don’t even touch these issues anymore. As everyone is afraid , does not know how to fabricate and they most only work on collision repair. Which include half of new parts. Basically if you have a friend who has a welder and some fabrication skills. Your better of.
Kotletachka
New member
Fixable but at a cost...
MaineRunna
Member
Bang the shit out of it with a slag hammer or ballpeen hammer, find out how weak it is and how far it goes. Cut it out beyond the rust and patch it with angle and plate. A small repair should take a competent shop 2 or 3 hours, a big one all day. The last one I fixed turned out to need it back by the trailer hitch and on both sides of the frame inside and outside pretty much from the LCA mounts to the crossmember. I had about 20 hours into it.
Arnezie
New member
Ok so took it to a welding and fabrication shop today. Guy seemed very confident and familiar with the issues of frame rust. I guess Jeeps are very common for frame rot and he gets a lot of those in. Said he would cut the bad section out and weld steel plate in its place. Coats everything in a por 15 type sealer. $250 is what he quoted me and he can do it next week. I’ll update this thread with pictures when it’s done. Thanks for everyone’s help.
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Rolling_Thunder
Member
Glad you'll be getting it fixed for a seemingly decent price -
FWIW - I would cut off the mount entirely, cut out the bottom of the rail (6-12") and then weld in a whole section to replace it. Then locate and weld the lower arm bracket back on.
FWIW - I would cut off the mount entirely, cut out the bottom of the rail (6-12") and then weld in a whole section to replace it. Then locate and weld the lower arm bracket back on.
Join the rust party!
I read this on a toyota parts website about 3rd Gen 4Runners:
Frame Rust: Many third-gen 4Runner owners have experienced issues with unusual levels of frame/undercarriage rust, which can lead to suspension system failure. This problem shouldn’t be attributed to the SUV’s age but rather the way its frame is constructed, which allows moisture to enter inside the frame and rust it out. A frame replacement is a good way to fix it.
I myself didn't get spend much time inspecting the frame before I bought mine. Luckily, mine isn't as bad as the poster's, but I've had to pay attention to it. I don't think Toyota issued a recall on this problem. Instead they advised owners to clean their under carriages after exposed to salt.
I read this on a toyota parts website about 3rd Gen 4Runners:
Frame Rust: Many third-gen 4Runner owners have experienced issues with unusual levels of frame/undercarriage rust, which can lead to suspension system failure. This problem shouldn’t be attributed to the SUV’s age but rather the way its frame is constructed, which allows moisture to enter inside the frame and rust it out. A frame replacement is a good way to fix it.
I myself didn't get spend much time inspecting the frame before I bought mine. Luckily, mine isn't as bad as the poster's, but I've had to pay attention to it. I don't think Toyota issued a recall on this problem. Instead they advised owners to clean their under carriages after exposed to salt.
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