Frame rust- too much?

[maltedbarley]

Hey guys, I've been reading the forums and there is a lot of great information on here, and lots of beautiful rigs. I have a question for you guys-, and need your opinions.I have a family member that is getting a new vehicle and getting rid of their '98 5-speed sr5 (no e-locker) 150,000 miles, and I'll be able to get it from them for little to nothing. There's a spot of rust coming through the drivers rear wheel well, which I would cut out, and the bumpers need to be replaced, rear is rusted totally away.

However, the big thing I'm concerned about is frame rust from the front of the rear wheels and back. No holes that I can see, but its flaking quite a bit. I think it might have been used to tow a boat and got dipped in water, combined with the nasty new england weathers.

My question is, should I consider taking the vehicle? Right now I drive an integra 5 speed and get about 32 MPG, which is great because I commute about 120 miles a week for college. I can deal with the loss of fuel efficiency, but I want to make sure that I can rely on the vehicle for at least the next three years. I could use a change in vehicle type too many idiots driving around in cars like mine get me labeled by the police in my little town

Thanks for any help and opinions, I'll get some pictures up as soon as I can.

 

[DC runner]

Was it used to tow to the ocean? A.k.A Salt water? That will kill it. Any part of that truck that went into the water and was then not rinsed clean immediiatly after is probably rusted all the hell.

Honestly. If the actual frame is flaking, you have layers deep rust. I bet if you were to do the "hammer" or "Sledge" test (where you take a hammer or sledge and just bang it as hard as you can against the physical frame to check solidness) it would go right through.

The moment that happens, the frame is compromised and I would pass.

Just my take.

 

[maltedbarley]

Was it used to tow to the ocean? A.k.A Salt water? That will kill it. Any part of that truck that went into the water and was then not rinsed clean immediiatly after is probably rusted all the hell.

Honestly. If the actual frame is flaking, you have layers deep rust. I bet if you were to do the "hammer" or "Sledge" test (where you take a hammer or sledge and just bang it as hard as you can against the physical frame to check solidness) it would go right through.

The moment that happens, the frame is compromised and I would pass.

Just my take.

Thanks for the input. The boat towing is just speculation on my part (by the way the rust is from a certain point back) it was bought at 50,000 mi by the current owner. I'll try that test the next chance I can.

 

[maltedbarley]

Here are some pictures-

 

[DC runner]

I have def. seen worse. I was thinking it was much worse off from your description. It may be worth it for a steal, just understand... that rust will spread and make working on it a PIA.

 

[JohnsD90]

Check where the rear control arms meet the frame on both the driver and passenger side, if i were you, i wouldn't buy it, rust spreads especially if it is on the body already. You don't want to tow with a questionable frame, that can lead to bad things. I would pay a little more for a truck that has much less rust on it, than dealing with that crap.

 

[notarex]

My truck looks about that bad and I plan on dealing with it, but if I had it to do over, I would have held out for a less rusty undercarraige.

 

[99 sr5 highlander]

If you find out that it's just surface rust and you do but it, you should paint the frame with a rust convertor. I used it on the floors of my 40 year old mustang and it worked great.

 

[CanadianTRD]

Hey guys, I've been reading the forums and there is a lot of great information on here, and lots of beautiful rigs. I have a question for you guys-, and need your opinions.I have a family member that is getting a new vehicle and getting rid of their '98 5-speed sr5 (no e-locker) 150,000 miles, and I'll be able to get it from them for little to nothing. There's a spot of rust coming through the drivers rear wheel well, which I would cut out, and the bumpers need to be replaced, rear is rusted totally away.

However, the big thing I'm concerned about is frame rust from the front of the rear wheels and back. No holes that I can see, but its flaking quite a bit. I think it might have been used to tow a boat and got dipped in water, combined with the nasty new england weathers.

My question is, should I consider taking the vehicle? Right now I drive an integra 5 speed and get about 32 MPG, which is great because I commute about 120 miles a week for college. I can deal with the loss of fuel efficiency, but I want to make sure that I can rely on the vehicle for at least the next three years. I could use a change in vehicle type too many idiots driving around in cars like mine get me labeled by the police in my little town

Thanks for any help and opinions, I'll get some pictures up as soon as I can.

IMO, for FREE, if you are capable of removing the frame, and have the tools/space, it's worth it...other than that... :nono:

 

[PitbullRescuer]

The 4th picture is the only one that would deter me. If I were you, I'd grab a hammer and tap on the frame rails a little. If it feels like the hammer is about to go through, it's too far gone. If it feels strong, clean it up real well, hit it with some POR-15 and hope for the best.

 

[rjaudi]

You need to check where the control arms meet the frame like johnsd90 said. Mine went through there and I was shocked as the rest of the frame wasn't that bad. If the car is a very good price expect to spend a good weekend under there with a wire wheel on a drill and your choice of rust coating. You have to treat that before it gets worse.