How much rust is too much rust?

[huntsman]

I have been searching for a nice 3rd gen 4runner and keep finding ones with rust. My question for the pros is: How much rust is too much rust? I don't know all the issues for rust and if rust can be normal on certain parts of the under carriage.
A follow-up question would be: Is there preventive measures that owners should take? How can you deal with rust if it starts to become a problem?

Thanks for any advice.

This is the under carriage of a 4runner I have been considering but don't know if this rust is an issue or something that can be easily remedied.

 

[Acidmeld]

Most of that looks to be surface rust that can be fixed with a wire brush and undercoating. Youll want to check for deeper perforation of the metal. Youll want to avoid vehicles with holes and flaking.

 

[huntsman]

Thanks for the reply.

So would you call this a 'normal amount' of rust? Or too much rust? I will give a deeper look into how deep the rust penetrates and look for holes and flakes. I don't mind wire brushing the under carriage and coating it, so if that's all I would have to do, I won't let it stop me from purchasing it.

 

[rjaudi]

Thanks for the reply.

So would you call this a 'normal amount' of rust? Or too much rust? I will give a deeper look into how deep the rust penetrates and look for holes and flakes. I don't mind wire brushing the under carriage and coating it, so if that's all I would have to do, I won't let it stop me from purchasing it.

I think the rust is normal for a snowy state, but that doesn't mean its ok if you run into big problems from rust. From what I have seen I would make sure the diff hasn't lost a lot of metal around the pumpkin. I would check the muffler and rear coolant lines. One area to pay big attention to is the frame mount for the rear lower control arm. Check above that mount for soft metal or perforations. That spot is where the frames are starting to rust through.

 

[ironhippy]

I would check the muffler and rear coolant lines. One area to pay big attention to is the frame mount for the rear lower control arm. Check above that mount for soft metal or perforations. That spot is where the frames are starting to rust through.

this is excellent advice, the frame is the weakest around the rear control arm mounts. Also check the body mounts to make sure they are still solid.

That is a normal amount of rust for a salt state, but that doesn't mean you have to satisfied with it. You can find pretty clean vehicles in salt states if they were stored indoors and washed/undercoated regularly.

If you can travel a little bit more south and find something rust free, that would be ideal

 

[fourwd1]

... My question for the pros is: How much rust is too much rust? ...

TOO much rust ??

You can't have too much rust, otherwise Toyota would never have been nice enough to include a factory rust package on their trucks.


But seriously, as long as it's just surface rust you should be ok.

But do check the frame very closely. Frame rust is a serious problem on them (unless you live in the SW). It rusts from the inside out, so you don't notice until it's really bad. Replacing a rusted out frame sucks, been there.

 

[huntsman]

You guys are awesome, thanks for the advice. The photo is from a 4runner I was debating about buying, the owner said that its always been garaged but i didn't believe her. Anyway, I just found the perfect one for me (not this one posted above). Stupid salt. I do like the factory rust package, that's clever. Do you want to hear a salt joke? Na!

Yeah I know that was a dumb joke, but its late and someone might think its funny.

 

[IanB]

You guys are awesome, thanks for the advice. The photo is from a 4runner I was debating about buying, the owner said that its always been garaged but i didn't believe her. Anyway, I just found the perfect one for me (not this one posted above). Stupid salt. I do like the factory rust package, that's clever. Do you want to hear a salt joke? Na!

Yeah I know that was a dumb joke, but its late and someone might think its funny.

A heated garage can actually SPEED UP rust if the vehicle is brought in wet and salty. If she said "never winter driven", then that would be unbelievable.

PS, love the salt joke, lol.

 

[Will_4R]

The problem I have had the most with rust are the fasteners. For some reason Toyota harware seems to rust fast seize. I have spent a lot of money fixing seized and broken bolts.

 

[samh]

Do you want to hear a salt joke? Na!

Ba da bum tss!