pictures of my rusty frame

[BigNuge]

The problem is that around here and I'm sure in other states as well, they are now using Magnesium, Calcium Chloride, and various other chemicals to pre-treat the roads when snow is predicted so when the first of the precip. starts to melt you get this nasty brine solution spraying all over your vehicle. Then the snow finally starts to stick and the air gets colder and you can't wash your truck for a few days at best. So the crap ends up staying on your chassis, even if you're somebody that takes really good care of your truck.

A good undercoating really helps. My Ford trucks came with oil based undercoating and the salt couldn't get through. My Dodge trucks and Jeeps didn't have that undercoating on them but the frames were dipped and treated at the factory and it showed. After lots of salt and driving in winter weather they still were black in color and showed no rusting.

I think that this winter, I'll be under this Toyota washing it frequently as possible. I think that it's really good advice to knock off the surface rust with a wire brush NOW and coat everything you can with something. Paint, undercoating, something. Then when the snow starts flying try to wash the undercarriage whenever you can. You do not want that getting worse. Right now the frame looks to be solid but you don't want it getting worse.

They run the brine up here too. Nasty as hell. Dirty vehicles for a week. Makes no sense to wash them for a week anyway....

 

[DC runner]

The Sequoia was made stateside, which appears to be theproblem. If it is like the Tacoma, your talking union shop that did crappy work.

Your 4runner was built in Japan. Again, there doesn't seem to be an epidemic if this with the runners. The opposite is true. The whole point of the recall is that frames are rotting without cause...not that they have rust.

The Tacomas would rust out sitting in a climate controlled shed...for no reason. That is a defect. My runner lived for the first 6 years of its life in the rust belt and my undercarriage is in great condition. The po obviously took care of it, but if the frames were defective it would be ruined. It isnt. Aside from a lite touch on my tow hitch I scrapped off and rustoleumed, my runner is in great condition.

 

[Colemanfu]

My Toyota turns 10 years old next week and looks nothing like that - and it has lived here at the beach it's whole life. I would guess you drive on the beach? A real hard practice on any rig. Good luck with the trade in. I think I saw a 14 at the Yota dealer on Nova last week?

 

[Wuzzy]

The 4Runner is from New England. I moved to Daytona in March. I only drove on the beach once for about 1 mile.

I did get a response from Toyota. They pretty much said tough $@&%. For me to POR the frame would be a HUGE undertaking. Not sure I have it in me for that much work. I think Im going to take the hit and trade it in.

 

[BigNuge]

My Toyota turns 10 years old next week and looks nothing like that - and it has lived here at the beach it's whole life. I would guess you drive on the beach? A real hard practice on any rig. Good luck with the trade in. I think I saw a 14 at the Yota dealer on Nova last week?

Love that exhaust exit & tip!

I am nervous to do anything to the exhaust in fear of it getting to loud. I really like how quiet it is. I would NOT want any drone, thats for sure....

 

[DC runner]

The 4Runner is from New England. I moved to Daytona in March. I only drove on the beach once for about 1 mile.

I did get a response from Toyota. They pretty much said tough $@&%. For me to POR the frame would be a HUGE undertaking. Not sure I have it in me for that much work. I think Im going to take the hit and trade it in.

There is your reason. Salt, snow and probably a po that never washed it off. So every winter all that muck just hung on the frame. It isn't a defective frame, but one that had a hard life.

Sell it private. Get more money. Trust me, either dealers will refuse to take it or give you pennies and put you into an upside down loan.

At least private party, you are more likely to find someone willing to take it off you.

 

[V8Man]

My company builds earth digging equipment. I have talked to a lot of coatings manufactures. Not just sales guys the real coatings experts Waxman is correct its the mag chloride that is killing cars. The old road salt that just needed a scratch to metal to start rusting. Even wIth e-coat primers that are fantastic and great top coats. The mag chloride goes through the paint to get at the steel. Rusting from inside out. Bad stuff.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

There is your reason. Salt, snow and probably a po that never washed it off. So every winter all that muck just hung on the frame. It isn't a defective frame, but one that had a hard life.

Sell it private. Get more money. Trust me, either dealers will refuse to take it or give you pennies and put you into an upside down loan.

At least private party, you are more likely to find someone willing to take it off you.

You don't think he'd be okay with just getting a new frame?

 

[DC runner]

I was under the impression he has a 4runner, which doesn't have frame replacement nor does it sound like it will.

Otherwise, sure.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I was under the impression he has a 4runner, which doesn't have frame replacement nor does it sound like it will.

Otherwise, sure.

Yikes, That's about typical for what I have seen on other trucks and vehicles that come from the East Coast... But Toyota is known for having some rusting issues on their frames.

To be honest, while it looks seriously nasty; I'm not entirely sure how deep the rust goes and therefore how "bad" it is.

What year is it? I would send the pictures and everything to Toyota and make them aware of the problem, it may not end up doing anything; but I'd say its worth a shot at the very least they have another complaint to stack with others that may result in a campaign like the Tundras/Sequoias.

Edit-
[MENTION=92174]sigalution[/MENTION], thank you! I had completely forgotten about frame swapping as an option!

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We use this company at work for "JunkYard Parts" they're a professional salvage company and tend to be of better quality than your "Pick'n Pulls" (Not to say they aren't good, just these guys take greater care of the cars rather than stuff them on blocks in a lot)

A frame for a '03-'09 is about $2500 according to their inventory.

I was talking about a frame from a salvage company, there isn't a recall at the moment as far as I know.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

Love that exhaust exit & tip!

I am nervous to do anything to the exhaust in fear of it getting to loud. I really like how quiet it is. I would NOT want any drone, thats for sure....

not to hijack, but I've noticed, on here at least, that the longer the muffler, the less likely you are to get drone, and you'll get a deeper tone

 

[810moto]

this is something that could have been prevented by simply using some rubber under coating from walmart. I have sprayed the entire underside of mine and with many fresh and salt water baths, not one single spot of rust. I'd burn it.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

this is something that could have been prevented by simply using some rubber under coating from walmart. I have sprayed the entire underside of mine and with many fresh and salt water baths, not one single spot of rust. I'd burn it.

The sea salt is probably less corrosive than the chemical salt the guys are talking about, its pretty nasty stuff.

 

[TechWrench]

I know my front strut blew out last weekend. What would you do if you were in my situation ? Trade it in ? Keep it ?

I know this is an older thread, but I found it doing a search on frame rust. I had my '03 up on stands the other day to replace the serpentine belt and all 4 pulleys. When I removed the lower engine skid plate I noticed the front frame cross member support that runs under the radiator was rusted pretty badly. On the passengers side, I saw a few holes all the way through, where the tie-down hook is welded in place. I started to check closer, and when I grabbed onto the hook, the entire lower corner of the cross member came off in my hand, hook and all. The upper half of the cross member is still in place, but not sure for how long. Other that providing a place for the front of the skid plate to mount to, it looks like this piece doesn't do much. My main worry is I am due for NYS inspection in November, and worry that this will cause it to fail inspection, which means I can't legally drive it. I called the dealer I bought it from new, and was basically told it was out of warranty, there were no recalls for 4Runner frame issues, and any repairs would be out of my pocket. (I have never been happy with the service dept at this dealership)

I did some searching, and found that Toyota lists many of the frame components as separate items. The front cross member is one of them. It is listed as an Auxiliary Cross member, #51021-35070, which has been superseded by #51021-35071. A lot of online Toyota parts departments list the part as still available, and the cost is around $250.00. My older parts guide book indicates a labor time of 2.0 hours to replace it. Since I don't see any place the cross member is bolted on, I am assuming the old part has to be cut out and the new one welded in place. I haven't contacted any body shops yet, but I am guessing that it might only cost between $500-600, including the part, to have it replaced.

When I first found this problem, I was worried that I would have to replace the vehicle, which I am not in a financial position to do at this time. But, now I am thinking that having the cross member replaced is a much better option for me. Other than this problem, I have been very happy with the vehicle, and would rather not have to replace it, if I can fix it reasonably.


Has anyone had this work done before?

 

[ADRay]

The 4Runner is from New England. I moved to Daytona in March. I only drove on the beach once for about 1 mile.

I did get a response from Toyota. They pretty much said tough $@&%. For me to POR the frame would be a HUGE undertaking. Not sure I have it in me for that much work. I think Im going to take the hit and trade it in.

so did you go get a Jeep, Steve?

 

[Bob J]

Looks pretty similar to mine..... Road salt in the winter is a killer....

 

[jgmass]

I know this is an older thread, but I found it doing a search on frame rust. I had my '03 up on stands the other day to replace the serpentine belt and all 4 pulleys. When I removed the lower engine skid plate I noticed the front frame cross member support that runs under the radiator was rusted pretty badly......

Has anyone had this work done before?

I'm in exactly the same boat. My '03 cross member is a rusted mess too. I too am worried that this will screw with my MA inspection. My plan is to cut that piece of crap off and weld on a piece of square tubing in it's place. It doesn't have any structural purpose that I can tell.

I will need to add a few holes to mount the skid plate and the trans cooler lines, but that shouldn't be too bad. I will let you know how it goes. If all goes well, I should only be out $20-30 for the steel tubing.

 

[AZ4runner08]

This is exactly why I held out and paid alot more for an Arizona truck. That is just flat out disturbing, all I can say is sorry man. I feel bad for you and you other east coast folks who have to deal with excessive rust. The only salt we deal with here is on the rim of our margarita glasses....

 

[rinkman07]

4 1/2'' Angle Grinder with heavy duty stainless wire brush attachment + rustoleum + some elbow grease got mine looking pretty again. It's not as bad as yours but it was a mess.

I removed the spare tire and trailer hitch the first day I had it.

 

[BigNuge]

I cleaned the crossmember on my 03 when I had things apart for the lift. I took my time, wire brushed it, 2 coats of primer, 3 coats of Rustoleum matte black....now it looks great!

I did the same thing to the rear bumper & hitch, I had the bumper cover off to get to the hitch. That came out great too.