Lubing the chassis? How to? Is WD40 good?

[ddicosmo]

I just purchased a 2008 T4R SR5 V6 and was looking underneath to see the condition of the underbody. I noticed a quite a bit of rust especially where the welds are on the box frame. Is this common on these vehicles? Its only a 2008 and it seems like there is quite a bit of rust already. I'm surprised that for an off road SUV like the 4R, that Toyota does not coat the underside with a thicker coating that prevents the rust from forming particularly around the frame weld points. I would like to coat the chassis/underside with WD40 to help prevent more rust from forming. Is WD40 good for this? Also, what do others use to lube the chassis and underside? Is there a good writeup on what product to use and what to lube? Thanks,

- Dave.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

WD40 or just regular engine oil (new or used) both displace water & I would guess salt so either would work I guess

 

[bergs]

IIRC, you are somewhere in the NH area. I seem to remember you posting something about NH for some reason.

Anyway, I am in NH and if you decide to go the WD-40 route (I've heard of people using vegetable oil as well), I have an older venturi-style paint gun that would be perfect for application. You are welcome to use it.

As far as lubing the chassis (slip yolk, etc), I plan on using good ole fashioned wheel bearing grease.

 

[IanB]

Fluidfilm is much thicker and will stay where you put it better than WD40, if you're going to put in the time to do it use a product that will still be there a week later.

And like Bergs said, for lubing the driveshaft, balljoints, etc (what is normally reffered to as chassis lubrication), use a grease gun with the proper grease.

 

[<<<<]

I agree that frame's paint is weak around welds. Applying anything other than undercoating, bedliner or more paint would not stay there long enough to protect it. I use 3M bedliner on skid plates and regular automotive semigloss black paint on frame joints every spring.

 

[fourwd1]

... I would like to coat the chassis/underside with WD40 to help prevent more rust from forming. Is WD40 good for this? Also, what do others use to lube the chassis and underside? .
- Dave.

NO, WD-40 disapates quickly and is not at all appropriate for your use.

 

[ddicosmo]

Is there a good writeup on this forum that covers what to lube and which product/s to use? I've never owned a 4x4 so I'm unfamiliar with what is required maintenance wise. For some reason, the toyota 4runners seem to have more rust underneath than I'm accustomed to (my 2001 VW Passat has none still) and I want to make sure that I countain what's there. I'm also unfamiliar with what requires lubrification on a 4x4 chassis as well.

 

[fourwd1]

The owners manual has answers for all those questions.
If you don't have one you can probably find one online.
The rust is an extra special present from Toyota.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I agree with FourWD1 do NOT use WD40 in this application. Read the owners manual.

 

[Presta24]

NO, WD-40 disapates quickly and is not at all appropriate for your use.

X2, wd will be gone in no time! mobile1 syn chassis grease

 

[zerowkul98]

Im having a little trouble understanding this...

If you want to have some type of rust inhibitor or preventor, why not just order a POR15 starter kit, spend a few hours cleaning, prepping and then coating the undercarriag with POR15? I did it to 2 vehicles last month with just the little jar of the stuff and it covered the vehicles with 2 coats!

http://www.amazon.com/POR-15-Super-Starter-Kit-Black/dp/B000GGVMIW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324739076&sr=8-1

^ link to the starter kit on Amazon ^