How boned am I? [Rust]

[collierunner]

DON'T TOUCH THE FRAME!!! I have a friend thats local who is a toyota mechinic and he advised me that toyota will most likely be doing a recall of the frame due to premature rust issues. Our frames came from the same plant that made the taco frames. The tacos were having issues with frames rusting prematurely. If you have done something he said that the frane will not be abled to be warrentied.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

A recall on the 4runner frame most likely wont happen.

Tacoma, Tundra and Sequoia frames that are part of the recalls were all made in the USA by Dana corporation, Dana settled with Toyota. Toyota is paying out over 3 billion dollars for the recall.

4runners were all made in Japan by Toyota Tahara Aichi plant or Hino motors(Toyota Heavy trucks) in Hamura Plant. I don't think Toyota has any interest in a frame recall on a 10 year old vehicle that they produced the frame on.

 

[Flash Runner]

To the OP, I feel for you as I put myself in the same situation. I was aware of the rust issue however and had paid a much lower price... my concerns comes with dealing with it when it comes time to perform upgrades and maintenance (damn thing already has an issue changing the spare tire assembly :sigh: ). What most are saying, about some wire wheels and hard work, is the process I'm slowly going through. At the end of the day I've just accepted it is what it is. If I can save it, I'll try. If I can't save it, then that will be the time to go (if that ever comes, this is a 4runner).

As far as how it got to that state.... the carfax and service records might be all Cali... but the car could have spent extended periods of time in the rust belt and just always been registered/serviced in cali (i.e this was a college students car whose home is in Dana Point, but went to school somewhere in the snow, or something similar). Sadly you'll never be able to figure that out.

 

[Murdoch]

To the OP, I feel for you as I put myself in the same situation. I was aware of the rust issue however and had paid a much lower price... my concerns comes with dealing with it when it comes time to perform upgrades and maintenance (damn thing already has an issue changing the spare tire assembly :sigh: ). What most are saying, about some wire wheels and hard work, is the process I'm slowly going through. At the end of the day I've just accepted it is what it is. If I can save it, I'll try. If I can't save it, then that will be the time to go (if that ever comes, this is a 4runner).

As far as how it got to that state.... the carfax and service records might be all Cali... but the car could have spent extended periods of time in the rust belt and just always been registered/serviced in cali (i.e this was a college students car whose home is in Dana Point, but went to school somewhere in the snow, or something similar). Sadly you'll never be able to figure that out.

You know I double checked the tires last night and found that they are all terrain with the mountain snowcap icon on it, as well as another snow icon. While driving my wife into work today in -3 degree temps with packed snow, fresh snow, and sludgy snow they gripped the road really well.

It also hit me last night that what you said is probably what happened. I know I drove my car here from another state(NOT CALIFORNIA, CO PEOPLE) and it had never seen weather like this before. Renewed the tag like twice because the car did spend some time in that state part of the year

Parker guy - thanks for the kind words. Thank all of you actually, still haven't heard from the owner but will report back for any interested in the outcome. As far as being an OCD enthusiast and sand blasting the frame -- I can see myself doing that. I got rid of a really nice car recently because I couldn't deal with how dirty it routinely got(wash wash wash wash) and with all the construction in this state from the hordes of people moving here there's rocks everywhere. I don't mind dings and scratches on this thing, but I definitely want to keep the most important things in tip top shape.

It's so funny/sad, you open the hood and the engine and everything else is clean enough to eat off of and looks new, but that horror show underneath... seriously looks like it came from a man made reef, especially the front rotors.

 

[Bumbo]

At this point... just run with it, enjoy it, and hope the Toyota reliability continues to DGAF about the rust.

If the truck does the job you bought it for, at least its still serving the purpose.

Over time, you may have to spend a little extra money when dealing with upgrades or maintenance, but as long as it gets done right.

Alternately, I would probably pick and choose my battles... As much as I like to pick up a wrench, certain items you may want to look to a shop and allow it to be their problem instead.

 

[cpitti13]

Thats what pretty much all of the vehicles in the midwest look like. I wouldnt worry too much, just try and mitigate it as much as possible by sanding, and undercoating. Fluid Film applications help a lot too!

 

[hoodwink33]

Well I talked to someone with only so much decision making power and the owner is calling me tomorrow. I don't have a good feeling about this. They are willing to replace an axel and(maybe or?) struts... and add the skid plate that's missing. I was open to having someone treat the rust as those in this thread have described, let me see it, then add a por-15 or whatever.

I have never felt so stupid in my entire life and can't believe the one I bought is the one I didn't check the underbody on. Life isn't exactly going great in the first place and this situation just makes everything worse, whatever

What was the outcome of your rust situation?

 

[4Running335i]

You know I double checked the tires last night and found that they are all terrain with the mountain snowcap icon on it, as well as another snow icon. While driving my wife into work today in -3 degree temps with packed snow, fresh snow, and sludgy snow they gripped the road really well.

It also hit me last night that what you said is probably what happened. I know I drove my car here from another state(NOT CALIFORNIA, CO PEOPLE) and it had never seen weather like this before. Renewed the tag like twice because the car did spend some time in that state part of the year

Parker guy - thanks for the kind words. Thank all of you actually, still haven't heard from the owner but will report back for any interested in the outcome. As far as being an OCD enthusiast and sand blasting the frame -- I can see myself doing that. I got rid of a really nice car recently because I couldn't deal with how dirty it routinely got(wash wash wash wash) and with all the construction in this state from the hordes of people moving here there's rocks everywhere. I don't mind dings and scratches on this thing, but I definitely want to keep the most important things in tip top shape.

It's so funny/sad, you open the hood and the engine and everything else is clean enough to eat off of and looks new, but that horror show underneath... seriously looks like it came from a man made reef, especially the front rotors.

HEY, I was a Californian until I joined the Navy. Moved here from Hawaii though when my EAOS came up. I've been watching this thread. I don't really think there is much to worry about BUT I would like to see you get some money back to "deal" with the issue. Then don't deal with the issue and buy bumpers or a lift or anything else really.

For people outside of CO they might not realize the premium that any 4wd especially a Toyota or Subaru can bring here. I paid 12K for my 2004 with 142K in may 2015 for reference.

 

[Murdoch]

Then don't deal with the issue and buy bumpers or a lift or anything else really.

Hello friend! No disrespect meant on the Cali thing I just know how people in this state are about it(pls no derail other posters)

I should have an update monday, a lot of stuff came up. The more I look at it also the more tolerable it is. The spraypaint makes everything look malformed when in fact it isn't nearly as bad. You are definitely right about our insane colorado premiums on these things, and I am not keen on flying out and buying one and driving it back unless it's a unicorn.. and who knows when that would even come along?

Thanks again all for your support

 

[hoodwink33]

Hello friend! No disrespect meant on the Cali thing I just know how people in this state are about it(pls no derail other posters)

I should have an update monday, a lot of stuff came up.
Thanks again all for your support

Murdoch..., how did this turn out?

 

[gramminc]

Hi Murdoch, if it makes you feel any better...

I am in the market again for a 4runner/GX460 and have been looking at 2011-2013 4runner/GXs and most of these are rusted on the frame and along the weld seams mostly. The shock mounts at the rear seem to be the worst spots and on and across the rear axle. Now I am in Toronto up north and we see the same as the North Eastern US from a salt perspective. So even vehicles that new see a decent amount of rust. Normally I lease cars but if I ever bought a new one I would Krown the stuffing out it. Twice a year. Sad thing is, hardly any vehicles I see for sale here have been rustproofed or treated. Strange really.

From what I see, you can probably rescue this fairly easily, it's crappy work as those have mentioned but I'd hate to see you not enjoy what is a great truck, I have a 2003 Land Rover Discovery 2 and it has a huge rust issue, but if it looked like yours I'd keep it. Someone had sprayed over all the rust and used matt black paint which I did not really pick up as I was buying it private and as-is as a project.

I hope your dealer helps you out.

Cheers.

 

[Murdoch]

Murdoch..., how did this turn out?

Hey sorry, didn't go in till today. The dealership will buyback but I'd lose two grand, so I chose not to do that. There is some ghetto warranty that I got(I have never purchased any warranty on anything ever, only paid to extend a home warranty that replaced a 5,000 dollar AC condenser (thank god)
and from reading the contract I think I'll keep it.

I took it to a Toyota dealership and had them check alginment, fluids, the usual, and tell me how bad the rust was. The guy said the frame is fine and there is no "safety issue" but again like most people here and elsewhere said it looked like it came from the MW or upper east coast.

The dealer in lieu of the buyback is replacing the rear struts, AC condenser(should have fixed this first as I pointed out it was messed up before I got it so they just recharged it, missing the leak), adding skidplate and fixing front alignment - which should(or shouldn't) give them trouble when messing around with the rusty front end bolts.

Overall it's a "meh" situation at worse for me now. The main thing the toyota guy told me was that labor would increase as I have work done to replace anything on it due to the rust... which from what I've spoken to the dealer about and what I've read in the legally binding contract they are obligated to deal with. If I were to do any "nice to have" work done on it obviously that would be on me... like straight pipe exhaust, adding non OEM struts/shocks etc.

Took the car on several forest roads with insanely steep inclines of light gravel and some packed snow last weekend in pike natl forest and it was great. So I guess right now I'm pretty happy with it, and knowing everything I know now I would have wanted to pay probably -2k less for it which is ironically their buyback price. Those not in CO - pls understand, this pricing difference is on almost everything within 300 miles from what I've seen searching over the last 8 months and as I said before I don't want to fly out somewhere for even what seems to be a unicorn and isn't!

I remember sorting by any distance on several sites like autotrader and all of the "best deals" were 1400 miles away, and in the northeast... with no pics of the underbody. The actual best deals I've ever seen were on this forum and I was always late lol.

Thank you all again for advice and help, once they do the work as described I'm going to buy ramps to put it on and a wheel wire adapter for my powerdrill and go to town.

 

[hoodwink33]

Glad it all worked out man..., I probably would not have taken the 2K hit either. Plus you are getting them to take care of some of the issues. Over all,I'm glad you are happy with the outcome.

 

[YAM93]

Half-boned? ugh. Some parts look not too bad, but the last few photos, especially the radiator frame(?) and what appears to be the rear of the disc brake shield and all the ... lower control arms? sway bars? intersecting metal at base of strut/ shock etc...that's a rusted cluster**** if you ask me.

:flamethrwoer2:
When I went shopping for (used GEN 4) 4Runners back in 2015... I spent a considerable amount of minutes under each with a flashlight after the test drive. Hardly anybody thinks to do this, some of us may be used to buying a new car and just assuming, or just don't think about it, but knowing how some jerk-offs like to drive into the ocean or take things off-road and abuse them, that was a big concern. And some dealers, even some of the big ones, their "USED CARS" department is shady as shit, that's one reason I won't bother with Carmax or trust 'CarFax' reports. I CALL HORSE SHIT. Don't believe those things as far as you can throw them, they can be faked.
:lightsaber:
Pop on the goggles and get under there with a wire brush, sandpaper, wire-wheel/ drill whatever and get to work, and don't come out until it's ready to be wiped down and ready for primer and paint. Not sure about the POR or other treatment, but if you live in Colorado, surely there are some shops that offer a high quality "undercarriage coating" treatment. Someone really screwed you on this. Put on some rock and roll music and look at it as a project. Don't get angry, think of it as learning about all the interesting parts under your vehicle.
:guitar2:
Oh, and don't think those skid-plates are going to make it any better, they tend to trap moisture and allow things to rust MORE. So that's just ANOTHER reason to go ahead and take the time and effort to clean things up. It's only going to get worse, ... at this point, it's still fix-able, for the most part. Except maybe for that abortion around the radiator.
:cheers:

 

[Juicy]

When I went shopping for (used GEN 4) 4Runners back in 2015... I spent a considerable amount of minutes under each with a flashlight after the test drive. Hardly anybody thinks to do this, some of us may be used to buying a new car and just assuming, or just don't think about it, but knowing how some jerk-offs like to drive into the ocean or take things off-road and abuse them, that was a big concern. And some dealers, even some of the big ones, their "USED CARS" department is shady as shit, that's one reason I won't bother with Carmax or trust 'CarFax' reports. I CALL HORSE SHIT. Don't believe those things as far as you can throw them, they can be faked.

I have quite a few stories about Carmax...... So many that I was debating making a youtube video on "how to buy a car from Carmax" :laugh::laugh::laugh: If you know what you are doing they aren't so bad.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

I have quite a few stories about Carmax...... So many that I was debating making a youtube video on "how to buy a car from Carmax" :laugh::laugh::laugh: If you know what you are doing they aren't so bad.

I'd like to hear this. I never buy from them because of their "no haggle", high retail prices. What are your tips?

 

[Murdoch]

Anyone know a good high speed, cheap grinder? I had one for my previous vehicle but it was fancy and has the simulated circular hand movements built into it unfortunately

 

[AuSeeker]

Anyone know a good high speed, cheap grinder? I had one for my previous vehicle but it was fancy and has the simulated circular hand movements built into it unfortunately

Try looking at Harbor Freight.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Anyone know a good high speed, cheap grinder? I had one for my previous vehicle but it was fancy and has the simulated circular hand movements built into it unfortunately

Can't go wrong with a Dewalt, that's what our welders use at work anyway, should be good. I've got a 9 amp one, seems to have plenty of power.

Then again, you asked for cheap ones... $80

They make a $60 7 amp one.

 

[Murdoch]

bit of a necro here... The water pump apparently was leaking since or around purchase lol. I heard the AC compressor making noise every time it came on so I was going to see if I could just replace the clutch bearing, or clutch itself, and saw my coolant down to less than an inch in the resevoir.

Got the same sort of reaction I'm used to when shops see the rust. Amazement, comments about how it didn't come from CO, etc. I'd like to add now that I *know* for a fact it was driven on the beach. The cabin filter was FULL of sand when I replaced it. Literal sand.

The dealership never called back about the skid plate and I'm pretty sure I was just ignored/forgotten about.

Going to take newer and more detailed pics from the car lifted and post a review on google. If anyone wants the link to view it PM me, not looking to start a witch hunt.

I have my 11amp milwaukee angle grinder but everything seems so futile now, like I will always be trying to get out from under the next huge thing wrong with the truck.