New member and I need your opinion

[pnguyen]

Hey guys,

So i've been on the hunt for a 4th gen 4Runner for the past month or so. I saw one today that is clean on the outside as well as inside, has the right mileage and more importantly has the right price. I looked over everything on the car and there are no leaks in the engine bay, everything checks out BUT there is rust on the undercarriage. I've attached the pictures of the undercarriage for you guys to see. Here's the specs on the 4Runner, it's a 2007 Sport 4WD with 94k miles, it was in the midwest before it came to CA.

Is this a car I should pass on, despite everything else on the car being damn near in excellent condition? Also is there a way I can prevent further rust from spreading? Lastly is there really a HUGE downside to having rust on the undercarriage. I know bolts can strip and what not, but will it affect the frame at all?

Thanks in advance guys!!!

 

[kevinpt]

if it were me i would pass. others might say different. when i got my 09 last year i saw no rust under my truck.

 

[pnguyen]

Other than the bolts stripping or breaking what are the other adverse effects of the rust. Being that I live in CA it's pretty dry, and I can always sand down the major parts with rust and repaint them. Just trying to weigh out the options. It's been almost impossible to find a T4R with the specs in looking for until this one.

 

[pnguyen]

any thoughts from other members?

 

[RobSinclair]

There is nothing in your photo that would cause me any worry. I am from a place that uses salt to de-ice the roads in the winter. I've seen 1 year old vehicles that look worse than that.

 

[Bossman]

My driving experience is similar to RobSinclair ... salt used in the winter to de-ice roads in my part of Canada.

My 03 has some surface rust on the frame, but it does not worry me. My mechanic says my 4Runner is solid and drives like new.

The only thing that would concern me (which I can't fully see in your pics) would by rust or corrosion on key components like brake lines, power steering lines, XREAS suspension lines (if so equipped). I mention this because I have had issues with all of these areas due to corrosion.

 

[pnguyen]

Guys,

Thanks for your input, after a lot of research and showing my mechanic friends the pictures that you have seen I've decided to pick up the 4Runner. (going to take delivery on Thursday) I'm going to end up doing to preventative maintenance to help mitigate the rust and hopefully neutralize the existing rust especially on some of the suspension parts.

I'm looking forward to share the build progress with you guys and obviously learning from you veterans as well.

Still looking to hear more thoughts from the rest of the forum so please give me your $0.02!

Thanks again for your help! :bravo:

 

[AZ4runner08]

Even though I paid a bit more then I should have, very happy to have picked up an all AZ truck. Especially because I plan on keeping this one for along time. Looking at these pictures along with other makes feel grateful for a practically rust free runner.