Holy Crap my Frame is gone.

[Skinfaxi]

I don't wash it (partially because I never drive it, less than 1000mi in the last year.) I hose it down once at the end if winter right before reapplying the FF.

 

[pattycakes77]

When I replaced my frame I ran into little things that needed replacing because of rust like some brake lines, fuel lines, straps for the fuel tank, pan hard bar, various clips and retainers, maybe a few more items. For my peace of mind I also did rear shocks, rear control arms, front brakes, timing belt, water pump, radiator, engine and trans mounts.
Working in a body shop with a two post lift, all necessary tools, and two techs it took us about 36 hours of labor. It was a massive but doable undertaking but it wasn't cheap even with a free California frame and donated labor.
If the body of yours is still in good shape and you're up for the challenge I would suggest getting a cheap daily driver and work on the 4runner a little at a time with help from friends for the heavy lifting parts until it's back on the road.

I really hope sometime down the road our 4runners will be classics with lots of great parts available to keep them on the road forever. Good luck on your project!

 

[sashcraft]

Free California frame? How did you manage that?

 

[pattycakes77]

Free California frame? How did you manage that?

Good karma? I don't know, just one of those right place right time things. A GREAT guy on another forum was giving away his frame from his 4runner that he rolled out in Baja, was about to scrap it when I was in my accident and needed a frame. I still had to transport it from California to Iowa which cost $1200 and cleaned it up with epoxy primer and ceramic paint so it didn't cost me nothing but was a great find hands down. Once in awhile you land in the flowers instead of stepping in poop.

All in all I still spent a small fortune getting it back on the road but I'd rather do that than be making car payments on a Hyundai for the next five years.

 

[Scramble]

Since 4runner frame has holes, and its a open frame where weather and water can get inside. Is there a way or is it smart to let's sat seal the frame as on weld up the openings so it doesn't rust from inside ?

I live in nj and my frame is clean. But I wash my car weekly almost and spray wd40 Herr and there. Can normal water create demage vs humidity or salt water or salty atmosphere?

I just replaced my original carpet & there was no rust anywhere in the vehicle except where 4 of the seat bolts extend underneath the carriage. The other 4 bolts that attach to the cross members were fine. I replaced the 4 rusted bolts, sanded & painted the light surface rust around the holes.
My drivers side front left chair leg was rusted pretty bad but seems common on 3rd gens & I leave my windows cracked alot. I sanded & painted that too.

 

[zway2fly]

Is that offer to do a frame swap still available ?

 

[zway2fly]

I could really use some help on this one ..

 

[dogtail]

Corrosion takes place where a metal meets water and oxygen. So water in-terms of liquid or vapor with atmospheric oxygen corrodes the metal. Salt water is a very good conductor of electricity than water, so this speeds up the movement of electrons from anode (where oxidation occurs: removal of electrons) to cathode (where reduction occurs: accept electrons). As a result corrosion is 5-10 times faster when salt water is present.

I too apply WD-40 once in a while (make sure the frame is dry). This makes an oil film between the metal and the environment preventing water and air to touch the metal. You can spray trans oil too but it smells bad but stays for years without getting washed out.

Yeah being serious on rust prevention works great in the salt belt. If you do nothing, you pay the price. Inside the frame is the most critical area, you absolutely need the inside of your frame coated with a rust preventative. Everything else needs it too, thru drain holes inside rockers, doors, hatch, hood. The whole undercarriage, coat the whole damn thing like a glazed doughnut, do it every year, easy to do and doesn't take much time. I bang it out in less than 30 minutes with a paint sprayer on a compressor and a spray can.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Is that offer to do a frame swap still available ?

That was FOUR years ago! I could still do it, but the cost has gone up. And has many here have pointed out,when you get in to it, you may find some things attached to the body or frame are no longer usable. Brake lines, fuel lines, brackets, hardware, widgets and maybe even some suspension parts. I am always backed up doing work for others, even though I sold my shop 5 years ago, but late June or early July are a possibility. You would have to be prepared to spend at least 4 grand, or more if you have a lot of bad parts.

Personally I don't think it's economically a smart thing to do, but you'd have to make the call.
:cheer2:

 

[zway2fly]

Thxs for sharing your experience and your advice. I'll go with that. =)