How much rust is too much rust?

[njfastlife]

As I'm looking for a 4th Gen and live in the Northeast and travel is all but impossible for me, I'll probably be dealing with some rust.

Now here is the issue. When is it just superficial and when is it a real issue? Obviously I'd try to poke holes in the frame but my expertise only goes so far.

Thoughts?

 

[TX_T4R]

In my experience, some on the rockers is ok because they're easily replaceable but when you start finding significant flaking on the frame, quarters, underbody, its not worth saving.

long story short any rust is too much rust...

 

[TeamLord]

when the frame looks like swiss cheese and there's nothing left to weld on to...


seriously though, significant flaking is a good warning sign. Heed to the advice of [MENTION=144823]TX_T4R[/MENTION]

 

[njfastlife]

In my experience, some on the rockers is ok because they're easily replaceable but when you start finding significant flaking on the frame, quarters, underbody, its not worth saving.

long story short any rust is too much rust...

when the frame looks like swiss cheese and there's nothing left to weld on to...


seriously though, significant flaking is a good warning sign. Heed to the advice of [MENTION=144823]TX_T4R[/MENTION]

A 2008 I'm looking into...photo from dealer:

 

[TX_T4R]

That looks pretty nasty, specifically that lower radiator support and frame rails where the bumper reinforcement bolts up.

 

[TeamLord]

Ewww. We replaced the lower radiator support on my 2003 T4R because it was pretty rotten, and it looked very much like this one. That radiator support probably looks even worse in real life. The problem with some of these frames is they begin to rust from the inside out. With substantial rust like this already showing on this 2008, who knows how bad the inside of the frame is rotting. If you don't want a special needs truck that needs patching and welding, you might want to walk away from this one. If you are super handy, perhaps you could get this for a good deal and fix it yourself.

 

[njfastlife]

Ewww. We replaced the lower radiator support on my 2003 T4R because it was pretty rotten, and it looked very much like this one. That radiator support probably looks even worse in real life. The problem with some of these frames is they begin to rust from the inside out. With substantial rust like this already showing on this 2008, who knows how bad the inside of the frame is rotting. If you don't want a special needs truck that needs patching and welding, you might want to walk away from this one. If you are super handy, perhaps you could get this for a good deal and fix it yourself.

Iirc they are asking at least $17K for this one

I'll walk

 

[shahsmerdis]

This car sat for sure.

My 04 doesn't have nearly as much rust, and my parents neglected washing it....

 

[njfastlife]

so here's a 2006 i am checking out...thoughts?

 

[njfastlife]

oh and on that one above the dealer called it "surface rust" and said they'd be more than happy to remove it and undercoat it if i wanted it.

 

[ToyoDriver]

Damn. All my life around vehicles never seen rust like that.

 

[shahsmerdis]

More pics please.

My rear looks like that. other history with the car?

Price?

 

[mckennar]

I understand you can't travel, my recommendation is to contact a broker who can get you a vehicle from the desert southwest. You'll pay about $1200 for shipping but you'll get a rust free truck for roughly the same price as the ones you're looking at.

OR go through CarMax and check out their dealers in places where they don't use road salt and have them transfer a truck for you.

It might sound extreme, but having lived (and wrenched) in the northeast for almost 20 years I can say with 100% confidence that I'll never buy another used car from up there again. I'll GLADLY pay an extra $1000+ for a vehicle from a part of the country that doesn't salt the roads.

 

[Falonious]

It might sound extreme, but having lived (and wrenched) in the northeast for almost 20 years I can say with 100% confidence that I'll never buy another used car from up there again. I'll GLADLY pay an extra $1000+ for a vehicle from a part of the country that doesn't salt the roads.

This is spot on....and it's really not that hard to find and get into a rust free vehicle. You will never regret it.

 

[fenrisx]

I have to agree with these guys. Have it shipped from out of state if you can - especially if this is something you plan on driving for more than a couple of years.

Aside from the frame rust, potentially could have the problem my 3rd gen has from the carpets always being soaked from melted snow (I'm assuming):

I've since sanded and hit it with Rust-O-Leum, which still isn't ideal, but something like that you won't notice until it's too late in most cases.

 

[mckennar]

Aside from the frame rust, potentially could have the problem my 3rd gen has from the carpets always being soaked from melted snow (I'm assuming).

I had wet floors and thought it was my sunroof drains. So I ran some fish tape through them both and it didn't fix the issue. I blew some compressed air, same thing. Come to find out there was so much crap (leaves, mud, sand, rocks, etc) in the bottom of the front fenders where the sunroof drains through that it was backing up and coming in through the antenna wire hole (passenger side). I ended up pulling the fender lining out and sucking as much debris as I could with a shop vac and then hitting it with a pressure washer a few times.

Hasn't been a problem since.

 

[grahamwzim]

3rd gen rust

Hi all - Looking for advice. Potentially purchasing a 2002 SR5 with 91k miles on it. Issue holding me back at this point is rust (the vehicle is from MD). I've attached pictures. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Kandor]

^ I'd keep looking if I were you. Too bad considering the low miles but that rust looks like a can of worms waiting to be opened.

 

[RandyBobandy]

Hi all - Looking for advice. Potentially purchasing a 2002 SR5 with 91k miles on it. Issue holding me back at this point is rust (the vehicle is from MD). I've attached pictures. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Maybe if you could get it really cheap for like $1000, mine had a similar amount of rust, not quite as bad, and I’ve spent probably hundreds of hours with a wire wheel, welder, and por15 trying to correct it, not to mention every time you need to remove a bolt it’s a complete nightmare. Whenever I replace something under mine I’ve gotten in the habit of buying all the parts in the way of the one I’m trying to get to because I know they will have to be destroyed to be removed

 

[joshuay04]

Keep away from rust on major components!!!!