Need some advice 96 runner keep or sell

[tvbuster1]

Hi everyone,

I have a 96 4runner, sr5, with 240,000 miles. the frame is rusted out pretty bad but it is still intact, but otherwise the shocks, brakes, valve cover gasket, and exhaust are pretty new.

In addition to the frame being rusted pretty bad, one of the main components attaching the body to the frame is completely broken... I'm not sure what it is called but I uploaded a photo.

I'm wondering if this component can be fixed? My friend said that it is definitely not safe to drive. I really just use it occasionally because I have a different car for my daily driver. The 4runner is for around town and sometimes I'll take it on to a local beach.

If it can't be fixed I'll probably try to sell it on craigslist for parts or something.

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[tvbuster1]

another pic

 

[flipty]

You should be able to pay a welder less than $150 plus a $60 part to repair that. The other side may be ready to go as well, so have them look at it.

Ask me how I know, and ask me if I sold mine

 

[tvbuster1]

Oh that's not too bad actually. I have to ask - how do you know, did you get it fixed? and did you sell your 4runner?

 

[Deere9798]

another pic

What is the condition of the rest of the frame? If by chance the rest is solid (I doubt it is), then I would have it welded.

Hope this helps,
Charlie

 

[flipty]

Oh that's not too bad actually. I have to ask - how do you know, did you get it fixed? and did you sell your 4runner?

I know because it happened to me, and I still roll my 4Runner every day (after having it welded of course).

I would have someone take a look around the frame. Most welders can also do some fabrication and shore it up pretty well. Mine also did that. Cleaned and patched some areas of rot, and made sure it'd last as long as possible.

It's not for the faint of heart. If there is rot near the gas tank you'll have to drop the tank, which is no fun. There is work ahead for you. If you're not liable to turn wrenches, you may want to sell. If you aren't afraid of getting dirty, and the vehicle feels safe (which right now it shouldn't, because chances are when you accelerate or shift the whole truck slides several inches to the side because the rear axle isn't connected to the frame on one of its 4 major points) you could still get a lot of good use out of this one.

I also have a slightly different perspective on things, being childless and a very very attentive driver. If you're hauling around kids, maybe it's time to sell and move on.

 

[flipty]

post a pic or two of the other side's lower control arm mount and area. At a glance it looks a lot better than this side.

 

[flipty]

I should also add that I also went through the trouble of replacing all four rear control arms, both sway bar links, and the rear shocks as well. Doing all of that along with the frame repair made the 4R handle like it should, which is pretty great all things considered.

I got everything on amazon, the parts were roughly $400, and I ended up paying the welder $200 for his work. I got nice KYB shocks so some savings could be had, but why not spend the extra 50-75 bucks on decent shocks. So when all was said and done, without the vechicle setting foot in a shop, it ran me roughly $600 to get the rear end behaving like new.

 

[thegipper]

Anything can be repaired, it just a matter of how much time/money/work you want to throw at it.

Your frame does look like crap but I've seen worse, and way worse has been repaired.

If that is the only area that is actually damaged, I'd say, fix it. If the rest of the frame is rotted out, it may not be worth it.

I would not drive it with the lower control arm not connected like that.

I was at the parts store today getting some heater hose and shot the shit with a pretty cool guy that worked there. I told him I was working on my 4runner and he said, the frames like to rot out on them (no shit). He also works as a welder at a body shop. He showed me pictures of frames that he has fixed (tacoma, tundra, 4runner). You wouldn't believe how bad some of these frames were that he was able to save. Some of them literally looked like swiss cheese! One of them was rotted the entire bottom half of the frame. It was so bad, it ran the entire length of the vehicle yet they were able to fix it.

Now, how much money and effort did it take, probably a lot. The point is, yours is not that bad based on the limited pictures you provided.

take it to a few shops and see what they quote you.

good luck, and keep us posted.

 

[tvbuster1]

Thank you for the replies!

Flipty - That sounds like a pretty big job! I don't mind turning some wrenches but the amount of rust might make it beyond my capabilities at home. I did replace the brakes but not too long ago had a shop replace the rear shocks. I read that some toyota trucks had recalls at some point because of frame rot. Anyways, I like your ideas and might have someone give me a quote to weld both rear control arms. I'll keep you posted on that but I'll get some more pictures of underneath and maybe you guys can advise me on how bad the frame looks to you.

thegipper - You're right that anything can be fixed and I like to fix things for as long as I can. The engine still is in tip top shape, the transmission shifts well, but I live in New England and I don't think that has helped the rust situation.

Here are a couple other pics I took but I'll take more of the entire frame when I get a chance.

Thank you guys for the help!

 

[thegipper]

Your frame looks ok, not good but probably worth saving assuming there is no other rotted areas. If you cant fix the broke control arm mount yourself, take it to a couple shops and get some quotes.

Once that is fixed, you need to spend a Saturday with an angle grinder (wire wheel, flap disc etc) and knock as much of that rust off as possible.

Lots of guys use the POR15 product with good results. I used Rustoleum rust reformer than applied a coating of LPS 3 (long term RP). Make sure you coat the inside of the frame through all the little holes real well with whatever rust preventative you decide to use.

It's a filthy pain in the ass job but it needs to be done. You should be able to get several more years out of that frame but it needs some love....

 

[Rendell]

Thank you for the replies!

Flipty - That sounds like a pretty big job! I don't mind turning some wrenches but the amount of rust might make it beyond my capabilities at home. I did replace the brakes but not too long ago had a shop replace the rear shocks. I read that some toyota trucks had recalls at some point because of frame rot. Anyways, I like your ideas and might have someone give me a quote to weld both rear control arms. I'll keep you posted on that but I'll get some more pictures of underneath and maybe you guys can advise me on how bad the frame looks to you.

thegipper - You're right that anything can be fixed and I like to fix things for as long as I can. The engine still is in tip top shape, the transmission shifts well, but I live in New England and I don't think that has helped the rust situation.

Here are a couple other pics I took but I'll take more of the entire frame when I get a chance.

Thank you guys for the help!

Yep, I do not believe it is so bad. you can get that welded up. beside you seem to have great access, with it driving upside down :bounce:. So, just get a good welder to fix it up, and keep driving her til she dies..