Next Step for Frame-Rotted 4Runner?

[donkeyhoatie]

I have no idea what the next step should be on my rig. I took the car in to have a rear control arm looked at. It had rusted and broken loose from the frame. The mechanic took one look at it and wouldn't touch it as there's frame rot on both side rails.

I brought some pictures in to a fab shop/ 4x4 place called Addicted Offroad in Arlington Heights, IL. They wouldn't touch it either because of the rot. So, basically, my rig is for all intents and purposes un-driveable and should be totaled.

So, what's the next step? Do I contact insurance and try to get some money out of it? Will they even give me something for it? If they will give me something, how much should I expect? KBB value (for what that's worth, HA!) lists the value of a fair condition 4Runner like mine to be worth $4996 at trade in and $6156 if I sold it myself. What's reasonable to expect back? Half? 1/4? Anything?

Let me be clear, I myself cannot part this car out. I don't have the first idea how, nor do I have the time or ability to do it. If somebody wants to purchase it as a parts car, I'm all ears.

Here's the lowdown:

98 4Runner SR5
83,800 miles
4 x 4
Desert Dune
Yokohama Geolander AT 265/70/16 with about 5-6000 miles on them
Body is in great condition. No visible body rust. No dents. Just some minor scratches.

Looking at it from the outside, you wouldn't think anything's wrong with it. But then, after looking at the underside, you'd see this:

And this:

Located in Glenview, IL, which is a northern suburb of Chicago.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

I'm really not sure what to say. You could in all reality buy a new/ used frame and put a new frame under it. That's what I'd personally do considering the lower mileage. You could also sell it for scrap, a parts truck, part it out, or weld new pieces or metal to the frame. Contact your insurance and see what they'd do.

 

[Steve240]

Thats a shame man, I hate it say but that's to far gone. I have patched many a frame rail but I wouldn't touch that one either. by looks of it you would cut the whole thing away before you found anything half decent to weld to. If you can't part it yourself you'll have to find someone that will in your area or you'll lose all of its remaining value. best of luck

 

[donkeyhoatie]

Just filed a claim with my insurance company on this one. They'll be checking it out and making a fair market value offer on it based on their data. I have no idea what that will mean, but I'm hoping it's something reasonable.

I still feel sick to my stomach over the whole thing.

 

[KidVermicious]

Just filed a claim with my insurance company on this one. They'll be checking it out and making a fair market value offer on it based on their data. I have no idea what that will mean, but I'm hoping it's something reasonable.

I still feel sick to my stomach over the whole thing.

Whatever they give you, buy it back and part it out. There's got to be somebody out there that wants to chop and tube the back of a 3rd gen, and I'd love to see them do it. :thumb3:

 

[jmildoc]

tagged for interest!!

 

[Bryan3GT4R]

Let it go. IF the frame is that bad I can't imagine other suspension components, brake lines, fuel lines, and there is probably is not one nut/bolt that would come off without a torch.

 

[jspagna1]

Whatever they give you, buy it back and part it out. There's got to be somebody out there that wants to chop and tube the back of a 3rd gen, and I'd love to see them do it. :thumb3:

^^^ Agree 100%. Someone will be interested in it. Squeeze as much money you can out of it. Ya that is terminal cancer. I have a 97 and it's been in CT since day one and looks nothing like yours. Hurts to see for sure.

 

[quicksilvr]

Wow, that is awful. Sorry to see and hear....what a waste of an otherwise great rig. What has been said it correct, that frame is beyond hope.

A clean frame should cost about $500. I've seen then on eBay several times, although I don't think there's on on there now. If I were you, I would look for a nice clean frame, and get a couple estimates from shops you trust on what they'd charge to swap it out. I'd guess you're looking at about 8-10 hours of labor.

$500 for the frame, and close to $1000 for labor. In my opinion, that's money worth spending if the truck is up to date on other maintenance, runs like a champ and you like it. With a new frame, you'd be set for a couple hundred thousand more miles.

 

[Hepar]

Wow, that is awful. Sorry to see and hear....what a waste of an otherwise great rig. What has been said it correct, that frame is beyond hope.

A clean frame should cost about $500. I've seen then on eBay several times, although I don't think there's on on there now. If I were you, I would look for a nice clean frame, and get a couple estimates from shops you trust on what they'd charge to swap it out. I'd guess you're looking at about 8-10 hours of labor.

$500 for the frame, and close to $1000 for labor. In my opinion, that's money worth spending if the truck is up to date on other maintenance, runs like a champ and you like it. With a new frame, you'd be set for a couple hundred thousand more miles.

The thing is, with that much rust, there is no way that it's just the frame. Think of how many parts would need replacing along with the frame...

 

[I_bRAD]

How do you get insurance to give you money for a car that is essentially just worn out? Am I missing something? Is the control arm separation the result of an accident or something?

 

[BlackCat914]

I told you that you can bring it to my place and I'd be more than happy to help disassemble it and part it out with/for you. I'm also interested in some parts too, which I can come pull off if you'd let me.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Very curious how it plays out with your insurance company as well. I didn't think you had a shot at getting anything but I'd be very happy for you if you do. Good luck. It's a shame it's that far gone on such a low mileage truck.

Good luck man.

 

[donkeyhoatie]

Let it go. IF the frame is that bad I can't imagine other suspension components, brake lines, fuel lines, and there is probably is not one nut/bolt that would come off without a torch.

This is pretty much it on the nose. I talked to a guy at the fab shop and he was saying that if the frame itself is that bad, you've gotta pretty much redo everything underneath as all the other components appeared to have damage, too. Brake lines, fuel lines, gas tank. Pretty much everything. The cost to swap this out onto a new frame would have been astronomical. He was saying he'd probably budget about 50 hours total when all is said and done. That's 5 grand right there and we haven't even talked about parts.

 

[donkeyhoatie]

Just got off the phone with insurance and they're not giving a dime.

I figured I'd take a shot and see if anything were to come of it. I told them I hit a pothole and the suspension started acting up so that it would be filed as a 1-car accident. While they concede that the control arm is detached, their feeling is that the damage isn't mechanical in nature, it's rust. Tough to argue with that. They suggested driving it to a dealership and using it as a trade in. I'm not getting behind the wheel of this thing to try to get an extra grand or two out of it.

So, with that in mind, I'm open for any options. Who wants to make an offer on this thing? PM me and I'll get you pictures of the exterior.

 

[BlackCat914]

Wow, that is awful. Sorry to see and hear....what a waste of an otherwise great rig. What has been said it correct, that frame is beyond hope.

A clean frame should cost about $500. I've seen then on eBay several times, although I don't think there's on on there now. If I were you, I would look for a nice clean frame, and get a couple estimates from shops you trust on what they'd charge to swap it out. I'd guess you're looking at about 8-10 hours of labor.

$500 for the frame, and close to $1000 for labor. In my opinion, that's money worth spending if the truck is up to date on other maintenance, runs like a champ and you like it. With a new frame, you'd be set for a couple hundred thousand more miles.

8-10hrs!? You're short by about 50-60hrs.

 

[BlackCat914]

Just got off the phone with insurance and they're not giving a dime.

I figured I'd take a shot and see if anything were to come of it. I told them I hit a pothole and the suspension started acting up so that it would be filed as a 1-car accident. While they concede that the control arm is detached, their feeling is that the damage isn't mechanical in nature, it's rust. Tough to argue with that. They suggested driving it to a dealership and using it as a trade in. I'm not getting behind the wheel of this thing to try to get an extra grand or two out of it.

So, with that in mind, I'm open for any options. Who wants to make an offer on this thing? PM me and I'll get you pictures of the exterior.

I'm interested in the rear bumper and alternator. I'm even willing to go out there and swap my parts for yours.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I might be interested in it for some parts and a part out. I'll PM you.

 

[BlackCat914]

I might be interested in it for some parts and a part out. I'll PM you.

I offered to let him tow it to my house and I'd rip it apart and help him part it out, but I'm not sure if he's interested in that.

 

[donkeyhoatie]

I offered to let him tow it to my house and I'd rip it apart and help him part it out, but I'm not sure if he's interested in that.

Yeah, I don't think I'm up for a part out personally on this one. I'm looking to unload it in one fell swoop to someone who might want it. There's value in this thing, for sure, especially with just 83K on the odometer. The question is, what should I be looking for it? What's reasonable? I don't want to gouge anyone, but I don't want to get fleeced either. My mechanic asked me what I wanted to get out of it, and mentioned he knew some guys at local body shops who might be interested, but needs to know what I'm looking for. What number do I throw out there?