help, bout to pull the trigger

[ddnww]

So im bout to purchase an 06 but im worried bout rust. It has 87k , its from Ohio, there's some surface rust under and some nuts an d bolts have rust.. is this normal... otherwise im looking at a 05 with 107k no or minimal rust.. im in Arizona.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

Sounds like you're pretty worried. I would constantly worry about it myself. How much of a worrier are you? Will you ever be happy, or will you always wonder when the rust will completely take over? This may not be much help, but its how I think. Good luck.

 

[EdmundGTP]

I'd prefer to buy one local if at all possible, and actually just bought one here last week myself.

It's 100X easier to do work on a vehicle that hasn't been exposed to 7+ years of salt, snow and corrosion. Even if there isn't any serious frame or body rust, the oxidation on nuts and bolts etc. makes working on them a PITA.

I guess in your case you just have to ask yourself how much a difference of 20K miles and minimal rust is worth.

 

[NJshadow93]

These frames are pretty strong and I have yet to hear of a 4th gen with frame rot. I bought my truck with plenty of surface rust and I'm not worried. If you have a couple hours of free time you can always get under there and wire brush the rust and paint the frame.

 

[chmura]

Surface rust is nothing. Just take a power drill with a wire brush attachment and clean up the rust. Then repaint it. Pretty easy to do!

 

[03_4x4Runner]

There are plenty of rust free 4runners in Arizona. I would not buy one with rust. My 03 Arizona 4runner has zero surface rust on any part of the frame. Keep looking one will come up for sale with lower mileage. My 03 only has 70k miles. I bought it new.

 

[WXman]

The '04 I just picked up was in New Hampshire for the first two years and then Cincinnati since then. The frame has serious rust, especially the front end. There is a crossmember just behind the radiator that's about 1/3 eaten completely through. The alignment bolts are rusted. The frame rails are covered in rust. I'm scared to death to crawl under and start working on this thing. The spare tire mechanism is probably rusted solid. I'll probably never get any of the drain bolts loose on the diffs. It's going to be fun!

Interesting thing is...the body isn't showing any rust at all. I guess this summer I'll crawl under with sandpaper and a wire brush and start working on it...then spray it with rust stopper and paint it black.