Got some bad news today

[99ToyoRunner]

I took my 4Runner to the dealer for them to look at something. After being there for an hour the tech comes out and asks me if I was aware of the rust on the back of the frame. I told him there are two spots of concern and he told me it was much worse than that. We got under the truck and there were more rusted out parts of the frame than I thought and what I could actually see. He said it was pretty bad he was surprised that it was passed for inspection. He told me it's not worth putting any money into. Having the rusted parts cut out and new medal welded in is an option but would be expensive. OR part out the car. But he said the car isn't safe to drive. So I now find myself between a rock and a hard place. When I bought the car I had 3 separate mechanics look at the car and not one of them said anything about the rust and said that the car was in good shape. Hopefully I can have a welder look at my truck this afternoon. Any advice would be appreciated! -Karl

 

[amalik]

I don't live in a rust belt so I can't comment much -- but my troubleshooting 101 question is... is it possible all this rust developed between the time you bought it and the 3 mechanics looked at it and present time?

 

[MStudt]

It ultimately depends on how bad the rust is. I've fixed an 18" long section on the inside of the rail on the passenger side. I'd bet around $400 or so to get it fixed. But....

:worthless

 

[99ToyoRunner]

I've had the truck for two months..It's been there but nobody said anything about it until today. I knew there was some rot but I didn't know it was as bad as it is.

 

[SCRunner12]

Is yours a green highlander model by any chance?

 

[99ToyoRunner]

Naww this is my truck

 

[99ToyoRunner]

I believe if I have it welded that it can be repaired..I've been driving all over the place with the truck like this and the toyota mechanic told me that the car is unsafe to drive. Nothing about the car feels unstable but now I don't to run into any problems with the frame buckling

 

[Buckaroo]

Had my frame welded with issues in that same area but not so much on the bottom horizontal part of the rail....more on the vertical part next to the muffler. Also had issues with the rear wheel control arm/rail weld. Total cost was about $500. Suggest you find someone specializing in frame restoration to look it over and let them give you an opinion regarding what needs to be done. The sooner you get it fixed, the better.

Buckaroo

 

[4Runner_101]

these frames usually rot from the inside out so its probably a lot worse inside the frame. if you cut and weld the holes you have now, you might end up doing so every once in while down the road. The body looks real good though so if its just bad in those spots, it would be worth cutting and welding and keeping. im pretty sure the welder can tell you how bad the metal on the frame is...unless hes just gonna try to make money and have you as a re a curing customer constantly welding that thing :s

 

[99ToyoRunner]

Yeah fortunately I know a welder that I work with so I am going to ask him tomorrow at work. The body is in great shape..just those spots on the frame. I figured once the rot is repaired than I don't have much to worry about

 

[woodro]

I had the same problem , the truck I bought had undercoating so I couldn't see the rot . It's a fairly simple fix , cut out the rotted metal and weld in the new . I boxed out my frame in the bad spots . A competent welder could easily fix that .

 

[02SE]

I believe if I have it welded that it can be repaired..I've been driving all over the place with the truck like this and the toyota mechanic told me that the car is unsafe to drive. Nothing about the car feels unstable but now I don't to run into any problems with the frame buckling

Well, the frame is slowly rotting away, and the strength has been compromised as evidenced by the holes in the frame.

How much the strength has been compromised is just a guess, without measuring the thickness of the steel along the length of the entire frame where it hasn't rotted away completely.

Basically it will likely feel fine, right up until it fails. Depending on where and how that happens, it could be very bad.

Salty winter roads, and/or driving on salt infused ocean beach sand will rot a frame quickly, if the entire undercarraige isn't thoroughly washed clean after each time it's subjected to those conditions.

Good luck.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Wow. Replacement pieces can be welded on. But take care not to get into any kind of accident. Ever. As 02se said, its hard to measure just how much the strength of the frame has been compromised.

I see this in trailers here in salt water in VA, especially in the rear. They can be repaired, but are often scrapped.

 

[99ToyoRunner]

Yeah the problem was that someone had resprayed the bottom of the car at some point years ago so a lot of the rot was hidden.

 

[99ToyoRunner]

The toyota mechanic recommended to not even bother fixing it he said it wouldn't be smart to invest any more money into this car. Problem is that this is my only source of transportation at the moment. I need a car to get to and from work. Fortunately I will be moving from my current location (Dennisport) to Hyannis at the end of the month and I will be able to walk to work. However I still travel to NY from time to time as well as western mass and vermont. So I guess is it worth repairing or to just cut my losses and part it out

 

[BrianSD_42]

Did you see the thread implying Toyota is actually offering frame repair?

 

[MStudt]

Did you see the thread implying Toyota is actually offering frame repair?

It's not though, just a rumor someone started that never had any backing. There isn't even a campaign in place to start a recall at this point. I spent close to an hour last week talking to someone at Toyota's US Headquarters. All they're doing at this time is taking complaints about the frames, and asking for pictures of the rust.

 

[99ToyoRunner]

Yeah I asked the tech if toyota was planning on doing anything to replace the frames. I even called up toyota. I wasn't expecting them to be able to help me since the car is 15 years old. There would have to be some set of circumstances for toyota to replace the frame. If the car had under 100k and you're the original owner or something. Then maybe they would look into helping out. So fortunately I know someone at work who does welding so I am going to ask him tomorrow. For the time being I will be very careful driving...I haven't had any problems nor have I been beating the hell out of this car. What a shame since the engine and drivetrain run so smoothly too

 

[sportscarfan]

Yeah I asked the tech if toyota was planning on doing anything to replace the frames. I even called up toyota. I wasn't expecting them to be able to help me since the car is 15 years old. There would have to be some set of circumstances for toyota to replace the frame. If the car had under 100k and you're the original owner or something. Then maybe they would look into helping out. So fortunately I know someone at work who does welding so I am going to ask him tomorrow. For the time being I will be very careful driving...I haven't had any problems nor have I been beating the hell out of this car. What a shame since the engine and drivetrain run so smoothly too

I'd at least log a complaint with toyota. You situation is classic where it's a great looking truck up top, but a disaster underneath.

 

[99ToyoRunner]

Yeah...I just hope it won't cost me an arm and a leg to weld the frame and try and have a lot of it fixed. Otherwise I'll have to part it out...I don't have many choices