Frame rust

[M1911]

I'd hoped to keep my '03 4Runner for at least another 50k miles. Unfortunately, my mechanic is telling me that I've got holes in the frame. I'd seen some significant rust on my frame cross-member a few years ago, and I did my best to grind it down and paint it with rust-converting paint. I'll get back under the truck tomorrow to take another look.

Last I heard, while Toyota recalled Tacomas for frame rust issues, they did not recall 4th Gen 4Runners, even though they use the same frame.

Has anyone gotten help from Toyota for 4th Gen frame rust?

 

[Sporin]

I have heard that Toyota IS replacing 4Runner frames (was told this first hand by a Toyota Tech) so it's worth investigating. I think they are doing it quietly so you might need to push a bit but don't give up before you try that avenue.

 

[MarkinWMich]

A co-worker of mine has a '99. The body, engine, and drivetrain are pretty good, but had a fair amount of frame rust. He took it to a welder where he stripped, cleaned, and welded sections of steel to the affected areas. This may be an option for you, as well.

 

[Wuzzy]

I have some serious rust on my frame. My runner spent most of its life in New Hampshire/Maine. I have contacted Toyota several times and I always get the same response. "Your vehicle is out of warranty". I have heard several people on here say they have seen toyota replace frames on 4th gens. So my next step is to call toyota and try to put a little pressure on them to do something. Speaking with customer care has gotten me nowhere so I need to find another number to call. I encourage anyone having frame rust issues to call toyota and press this issue.

 

[beliy25]

if ill call toyota and say that i know couple of people who did it throught toyota ,who do i mention?i might need some kind of a proof for them that someone really did it and why i cant do it!!!

 

[M1911]

I just spoke with the dealer. Toyota is going to replace the frame. I have to pay the first $1000. Considering the frame replacement cost is around $10k, that's a pretty good deal, so I'm going to take it. We'll see how long it takes for the frame to arrive.

 

[T101]

I just spoke with the dealer. Toyota is going to replace the frame. I have to pay the first $1000. Considering the frame replacement cost is around $10k, that's a pretty good deal, so I'm going to take it. We'll see how long it takes for the frame to arrive.

Could you go a little more into detail concerning what dealer you went to, how many phone calls you made and to whom? All through local dealer or had to call Toyota corporate? Thanks

 

[Sungod]

I'd hoped to keep my '03 4Runner for at least another 50k miles. Unfortunately, my mechanic is telling me that I've got holes in the frame. I'd seen some significant rust on my frame cross-member a few years ago, and I did my best to grind it down and paint it with rust-converting paint. I'll get back under the truck tomorrow to take another look.

Last I heard, while Toyota recalled Tacomas for frame rust issues, they did not recall 4th Gen 4Runners, even though they use the same frame.

Has anyone gotten help from Toyota for 4th Gen frame rust?

I am pretty sure the 4runner frames are not the Mexican made frames used on the Tacoma.

 

[M1911]

Could you go a little more into detail concerning what dealer you went to, how many phone calls you made and to whom? All through local dealer or had to call Toyota corporate? Thanks

I went to Westborough Toyota in Westborough, MA. I dropped it off this morning. The service adviser called me this afternoon. They spoke with Toyota. When I dropped it off, I asked them to look at the frame rust and if it is causing a problem, to see if Toyota would help with it. The service adviser has never done a 4Runner frame before, so this was a first for him.

 

[M1911]

I am pretty sure the 4runner frames are not the Mexican made frames used on the Tacoma.

It is basically the same Toyota 120 platform frame as the Tacoma. While it may have been made in a different place, the design is the basically the same and, presumably, the specifications are the same or similar.

 

[Nervo19]

It's good to hear they're helping you out. Are you the original owner? At 97k my 4th gen has a small trouble spot on the cross member. I just need to wire brush and coat it with something. You might think about taking your 4Runner to a rust proofing place and getting it treated. Interestingly I live in Richmond, VA and the closest place that undercoats is in Northern VA, 90 miles north. I would gladly pay someone else to get mine coated.

 

[M1911]

It's good to hear they're helping you out. Are you the original owner? At 97k my 4th gen has a small trouble spot on the cross member. I just need to wire brush and coat it with something. You might think about taking your 4Runner to a rust proofing place and getting it treated. Interestingly I live in Richmond, VA and the closest place that undercoats is in Northern VA, 90 miles north. I would gladly pay someone else to get mine coated.

Yes, I am the original owner. Perhaps that had something to do with Toyota's response -- I don't know.

Several years ago I had a trouble spot on the cross member. I brushed it and coated it with rust-converting paint. It is now, apparently, full of holes. YMMV.

 

[V8Man]

Your demon is the magnesium chloride that is being used now on the roads. I have spoken directly to a paint manufacture and there is not a paint that MC will not rust. A nice powder coat would be cool on your new frame.

 

[M1911]

Your demon is the magnesium chloride that is being used now on the roads. I have spoken directly to a paint manufacture and there is not a paint that MC will not rust. A nice powder coat would be cool on your new frame.

I would love to have an Icon FJ44. He not only powder coats the frame -- he powder coats the body. Just as soon as I win Powerball: http://icon4x4.com

 

[Sungod]

It is basically the same Toyota 120 platform frame as the Tacoma. While it may have been made in a different place, the design is the basically the same and, presumably, the specifications are the same or similar.

They may have similar design characteristics, but they are by no means the same. That is like saying that the Mexican made VWs are the same as the German made.

 

[M1911]

That is like saying that the Mexican made VWs are the same as the German made.

Not that chestnut again.

VW quality has not been correlated to assembly location. I had a 2000 GTI. Mine was built in Germany. And it was a complete POS. Those problems were not due to bad assembly. They were due to design issues.

For example, in 40k miles, VW replaced the rear shocks and shock top mounts twice and they needed to be replaced again when I sold it. There were three different part numbers for the shock top mounts for 2000, based on VIN. Guess why? Because it took them 3 different designs to get it right.

Remember the window regulator problems from that era Golf/GTI/Jetta? The regulators failed in hot climates and the windows fell into the door. They went through three different designs of regulators.

Remember the VW/Audi coil pack fiasco on the old 1.8T engine? That part was made in Germany, I believe by Bosch.

Getting back on topic, the basic design of the Toyota 120 frame is the same across all 120 vehicles, with minor modifications.

 

[macgyver_ga]

Not that chestnut again.

VW quality has not been correlated to assembly location. I had a 2000 GTI. Mine was built in Germany. And it was a complete POS. Those problems were not due to bad assembly. They were due to design issues.

For example, in 40k miles, VW replaced the rear shocks and shock top mounts twice and they needed to be replaced again when I sold it. There were three different part numbers for the shock top mounts for 2000, based on VIN. Guess why? Because it took them 3 different designs to get it right.

Remember the window regulator problems from that era Golf/GTI/Jetta? The regulators failed in hot climates and the windows fell into the door. They went through three different designs of regulators.

Remember the VW/Audi coil pack fiasco on the old 1.8T engine? That part was made in Germany, I believe by Bosch.

Getting back on topic, the basic design of the Toyota 120 frame is the same across all 120 vehicles, with minor modifications.

I think it's more of design issues like you said for VW in general. My dad used to have an '02 Passat 1.8T that he bought new. It was nice at first but after it passed 60k miles it turned into a complete money pit. The interior started falling apart (knobs falling off, door panels peeling), constantly in the shop for engine issues, oil pump crapped out at 80k miles. Dealership blamed my dad for using the wrong oil, but once he showed them that they were the ones who had done all of the oil changes on it, they quickly changed their tune and replaced it free of charge.

 

[M1911]

I think it's more of design issues like you said for VW in general.

Back around 2000-2002 was the nadir for German car quality. Mrs. M1911 had a 2002 C240 that had lots of problems. The engine computer died an early death. The rear tail lights were continually burning out until Mercedes issued a TSB that replaced part of the rear wiring harness.

In contrast, her 2010 C300 has been more reliable than my 4Runner.

Both were assembled in the same plant. The difference is that Mercedes began to take quality seriously in between the two cars.

To get back to Toyota, was the problem with the Tacoma frames due to design? Specification? Improper rustproofing by manufacturer Dana? Some reports claim the latter.

 

[macgyver_ga]

Back around 2000-2002 was the nadir for German car quality. Mrs. M1911 had a 2002 C240 that had lots of problems. The engine computer died an early death. The rear tail lights were continually burning out until Mercedes issued a TSB that replaced part of the rear wiring harness.

In contrast, her 2010 C300 has been more reliable than my 4Runner.

Both were assembled in the same plant. The difference is that Mercedes began to take quality seriously in between the two cars.

To get back to Toyota, was the problem with the Tacoma frames due to design? Specification? Improper rustproofing by manufacturer Dana? Some reports claim the latter.

considering the lawsuit against Dana by Toyota... I'm gonna go with the latter.

 

[Lolrax]

Not that chestnut again.

VW quality has not been correlated to assembly location. I had a 2000 GTI. Mine was built in Germany. And it was a complete POS. Those problems were not due to bad assembly. They were due to design issues.

For example, in 40k miles, VW replaced the rear shocks and shock top mounts twice and they needed to be replaced again when I sold it. There were three different part numbers for the shock top mounts for 2000, based on VIN. Guess why? Because it took them 3 different designs to get it right.

Remember the window regulator problems from that era Golf/GTI/Jetta? The regulators failed in hot climates and the windows fell into the door. They went through three different designs of regulators.

Remember the VW/Audi coil pack fiasco on the old 1.8T engine? That part was made in Germany, I believe by Bosch.

Getting back on topic, the basic design of the Toyota 120 frame is the same across all 120 vehicles, with minor modifications.

I had an 01 GTI 1.8T, I don't miss that car. What a POS! I will never own a VAG product ever again.