How much rust is too much rust?
- Thread starter njfastlife
- Start date
bjones2019
New member
Need advice: Potential purchase of 2004 4runner w some rust
Ok, new guy here. I am set to purchase a 2004 4runner Limited v8 with 130k miles from Wisconsin for $7,950 (I live in Colorado where used 4runners resell for insane prices). I would think the rust wouldn't worsen after bringing it here, but who knows.
The dealership (family owned, good reviews) has been very kind and sent me tons of pictures. I had a local mechanic check the car out and report card was pretty good for a car this old.
I've heard horror stories of frames rusting so bad that they get holes in them and mechanics won't even put them on the rack. I asked the dealership to send me pics of the frame and also talked to one of the staff (maybe owner) and she said shes very aware of that issue and inspects them thoroughly at the auction before buying. She said this one has some surface rust, but nothing bad enough to be concerned about, especially since I'm taking it back to Colorado.
What's your opinion after looking at the pics? Some spots look a little rough, some not bad at all. I don't see any holes anywhere. Assuming it's not bad, is there a way to reinforce the frame with more metal or protect it somehow?
Thanks in advance!
Ok, new guy here. I am set to purchase a 2004 4runner Limited v8 with 130k miles from Wisconsin for $7,950 (I live in Colorado where used 4runners resell for insane prices). I would think the rust wouldn't worsen after bringing it here, but who knows.
The dealership (family owned, good reviews) has been very kind and sent me tons of pictures. I had a local mechanic check the car out and report card was pretty good for a car this old.
I've heard horror stories of frames rusting so bad that they get holes in them and mechanics won't even put them on the rack. I asked the dealership to send me pics of the frame and also talked to one of the staff (maybe owner) and she said shes very aware of that issue and inspects them thoroughly at the auction before buying. She said this one has some surface rust, but nothing bad enough to be concerned about, especially since I'm taking it back to Colorado.
What's your opinion after looking at the pics? Some spots look a little rough, some not bad at all. I don't see any holes anywhere. Assuming it's not bad, is there a way to reinforce the frame with more metal or protect it somehow?
Thanks in advance!
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Being from Colorado as well I get that the price on that is awesome, but it is too much rust imo to buy sight unseen. Looking at the control arm mount picture next to the exhaust (in general the worst spot and what breaks first) looks pretty borderline, it could just be paint bubbles or it could be a 1/8" deep. If you can get the truck 3rd party inspected and ask them to really dig into it with a screw driver or something and check the inside of the mount you will get a better idea of how deep the rust has eaten.
You can get them plated for support but you have to have good metal around the mount to attach to, and it will just add $$ the price and potential headache. Not sure if you plan on wrenching yourself but it looks like all the hardware will be a nightmare of broken bolt heads and what not which quickly adds up in time to take things apart and $$ to replace things that break. Mine has much less rust than this and I still have that issue.
Also parts of colorado still use mag-chloride so further rust might be an issue if you don't stay on top of spraying underneath.
Good luck with your search
jspagna1
New member
Clean / remove as much rust as you can then use Loctite Extend Rust Treatment and spray paint it. Did this with my 97 T4R and I had that for 16 years. I would respray every spring.
Loctite Rust Treatment, 1 Qt Btl, Opaque Extend 234981 | Zoro.com
Loctite Rust Treatment, 1 Qt Btl, Opaque Extend 234981 | Zoro.com
whoops
So i just joined the 4runner family. Friends daughter was selling her 2003 and i needed something to haul up north maine. I inspected basics of the car but noticed them gem today.
How screwed am I? Repairable, normal? Just run it till i can afford one that isnt rotted.
Thanks everyone!
So i just joined the 4runner family. Friends daughter was selling her 2003 and i needed something to haul up north maine. I inspected basics of the car but noticed them gem today.
How screwed am I? Repairable, normal? Just run it till i can afford one that isnt rotted.
Thanks everyone!
mesooohoppy
New member
IMO, this is the only correct solution for people who live in rust belt/heavy snow states. i came from the IS/ Lexus world before i bought my t4r. The majority of the owners in heavy snow/rust belt states would actually locate an IS300 in california/arizona (it was usually a manual they were after), have it inspected, buy it without ever laying their actual eyes on it, and then have it shipped to them for 1-1.5k. some guys actually came out cheaper than trying to buy in their local market (local availability dictated prices A LOT on hard-er to find cars, such as a manual IS300).
im not sure what the deal is with California and certain cars being much cheaper than in other states, but im willing to bet its just cause CA has so many damn cars and options in the used market. its not like your selection is limited to some rural WI or IA town.
be diligent, do your homework, and you will be fine. i was skeptical at first, but after seeing so many people do it, i realized this is something that people do every single day.
So i just joined the 4runner family. Friends daughter was selling her 2003 and i needed something to haul up north maine. I inspected basics of the car but noticed them gem today.
How screwed am I? Repairable, normal? Just run it till i can afford one that isnt rotted.
Thanks everyone!
Just one man's opinion, but that frame rail is toast.
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jspagna1
New member
Agreed !!!!!
cb1111
Member
Yep. Rust never sleeps.
Arcturus08
New member
Need help too!
Hey guys, Sorry to hijack the thread but I could use some help too and don't have the option to create a new post. (Just signed up)
I'm looking at buying my first 4Runner and wanted to get your opinion on the amount of rust I saw. Is this too much rust for an 06 V8 Sport with 219k?
Thanks in advance!
Hey guys, Sorry to hijack the thread but I could use some help too and don't have the option to create a new post. (Just signed up)
I'm looking at buying my first 4Runner and wanted to get your opinion on the amount of rust I saw. Is this too much rust for an 06 V8 Sport with 219k?
Thanks in advance!
RPS99SHO
New member
That's not bad at all. Hit all the metal underneath with a rust preventer of your choice (mine is Fluid Film) each fall and you should have a lot of life left.
Arcturus08
New member
I didn't notice it was missing. (I'm a complete 4Runner noob) I'm going by to look at it again today and I'll ask about the skid plate.
I've verified the timing belt and water pump have been changed within the last 10k miles or so. Locks into 4lo and the seller has documented service records. I was mostly scared of the rust.
Anything else I should check before making an offer?
Thanks again everyone!
Hey everyone. New guy here. I just bought a 96 4Runner SR5 4wd 5spd @ 130k for $7k. Before buying, I checked the undercarriage for rust and it didn't seem too bad at first and the seller reassured me that it was "just surface rust". Kind of jumped the gun because I've been having a hard time finding a 4wd 5spd with lower miles and there were a few guys checking it out after me...bozo move of me because upon putting it on a lift, I saw the rust was worse than I thought. How bad is this? I'm wondering if I should try sanding it all out, applying something like Corroseal and then Por15, or just try and resell to get my money back...I live in San Diego, CA btw so I'm hopeful that any treated rust wouldn't come back. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Sorry to hijack this thread again but I'm really concerned about getting this thing to last another 7 or 8 years...
Sorry to hijack this thread again but I'm really concerned about getting this thing to last another 7 or 8 years...
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RPS99SHO
New member
Take a hammer to the frame and make sure there are no soft spots. Check near the rear passenger wheel carefully. This level of rust is certainly treatable, and so long as there are no holes anywhere, you're fine. I rescued my 99 with POR and annual Fluid Film treatments.
NWsuperwhiterunner
New member
I feel for the rust belt dwellers
TheUltimateBohab
New member
I'm from Wisconsin and this thread makes me feel a lot better about the amount of rust I have on mine some becoming noticeable on the drain holes and welds but nothing close to most of these.... the components behind the front brake rotors and lower control arms are the worst on mine.... and from what I can see through the holes the inside is spotless aside from being kind of dirty
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96 4Runner rust
Pretty clean and runs perfectly however has rot around rear frame, particularly one side. Just looking for advice on where to go to find someone who'll not be afraid to spot weld a patch or two. Just looking to extend it's life a couple years. Not looking for a restoration.
Supposedly there was a recall from Toyota that my previous owner missed. Too bad.
Pretty clean and runs perfectly however has rot around rear frame, particularly one side. Just looking for advice on where to go to find someone who'll not be afraid to spot weld a patch or two. Just looking to extend it's life a couple years. Not looking for a restoration.
Supposedly there was a recall from Toyota that my previous owner missed. Too bad.
