Need some advice on rust issue

[LoneStarr]

So I recently traded my 1993 toyota pickup for this 1998 t4r. It has 185,000 miles and runs good so far. During this week of rain we are having I noticed a wet spot on the drivers side floor board. Pulled up the carpet and found this rust. Really frustrating.

I think I found the leak and fixed the problem. Not sure what to do now. It is due for a timing belt job and I also found out the 4wd is not working.

Should I keep working on the truck and drive it till I'm stopping like fred flintstone or give up and sell it. I have not noticed any significant frame rot or any other problems.

I'm pretty bummed about this situation. Thanks in advance yall. Cant seem to catch a break haha

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[I_bRAD]

That rust looks pretty minor in my opinion, I'd keep driving it if you can get the 4X4 working with reasonable effort. Clean up that wiring while you're in there!

 

[nissanh]

Wire brush it and give a good paint like rustolem that comes with primer.

If you can remove the padding, inspect the metal and treat it. If you cannot, spray WD-40 between the padding and the metal to dissipate water (purpose of wd-40) and take all carpets and seats out to dry.

 

[T4R2014]

Looks like it can be sanded down. You will need to chip away at that factory sound deadening because I can tell you the rust is under it as well.

 

[LoneStarr]

Looks like it can be sanded down. You will need to chip away at that factory sound deadening because I can tell you the rust is under it as well.

Ok I was wondering what the extra layers were. So break all that stuff off sand and paint?

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[LoneStarr]

Ok I was wondering what the extra layers were. So break all that stuff off sand and paint?

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How do I remove the top layer. It seems like it's a metal plate then a foam material then the floorboard. Is there a write up anywhere I might find on this?

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[phattyduck]

How do I remove the top layer. It seems like it's a metal plate then a foam material then the floorboard. Is there a write up anywhere I might find on this?

It is a tar-based sound deadening. Look up 'removing factory sound deadening' on google... not 4Runner specific.

-Charlie

 

[Kanoe]

I think I found the leak and fixed the problem. Not sure what to do now. It is due for a timing belt job and I also found out the 4wd is not working.

Should I keep working on the truck and drive it till I'm stopping like fred flintstone or give up and sell it. I have not noticed any significant frame rot or any other problems.

I'm pretty bummed about this situation. Thanks in advance yall. Cant seem to catch a break haha

I wouldn't get too down about things yet. EVERYONE has to do work to these when first bought. Most spend 1-2,000 getting things back to tip top, myself included. The fact that they are so reliable allows previous owners to neglect them for years.

Timing belt is standard maint. The 4wd could be a minor issue. The leaking is common from the sunroof or grommets. Get the leak fixed, touch up the rust and it won't be an issue.

It looks like a nice 4runner. Keep at it (and look into lower ball joints).

Edit: I'd bet a doughnut that the person who did that wiring is responsible for the leak. See where they punctured the firewall to bring that crap in.

 

[LoneStarr]

I wouldn't get too down about things yet. EVERYONE has to do work to these when first bought. Most spend 1-2,000 getting things back to tip top, myself included. The fact that they are so reliable allows previous owners to neglect them for years.

Timing belt is standard maint. The 4wd could be a minor issue. The leaking is common from the sunroof or grommets. Get the leak fixed, touch up the rust and it won't be an issue.

It looks like a nice 4runner. Keep at it (and look into lower ball joints).

Edit: I'd bet a doughnut that the person who did that wiring is responsible for the leak. See where they punctured the firewall to bring that crap in.

I believe I found the leak. They ran a wire for a subwoofer and instead of going thru the grommet they pushed it to the side which allowed the water to come in there.

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[HiLife]

Great that you found the leak! You gotta be glad :high5: that the po didn't mangle that grommet in order to run the crummy wire.
It may seem like much to you right now. Most us on here been there and went through that same thing when we first got our rigs.
I went in for an alignment when I first got mines, the shop did a fast check over and stated it needed 8K worth of shop work.
Told them thanks but, no thanks, just the alignment today.:happy:

 

[Dieselchessy]

Wire wheel most of that rust off, then get you some Ospho, 1 quart size bottle should be plenty. Then get it wet with the Ospho and keep it wet for several hours.
It will eat off the thin rust and convert the rest. After it sets for 24 hours then clean and dry it with IPA and paint with your primer and paint of choice.

 

[Kanoe]

I believe I found the leak. They ran a wire for a subwoofer and instead of going thru the grommet they pushed it to the side which allowed the water to come in there.

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For future reference, I feel it is best to leave that factory wire harness rubber alone, I would not mess with it at all.

There is another unused grommet (unused in mine anyhow) above the gas pedal. It is a circular flat rubber and is easy to seal with silicone and seems to not be in a wet spot. I've grabbed a few spare grommets from junkyards in case I ever pull the wiring out. No risk to the factory wire harness this way.