Question about this frame

[Natural_Nativ]

This is the only spot in the frame where there is any more than just surface rust. It is located on the passenger side directly behind the front tire. I know the concern here is with the strength of the crossmember. The rust is only bad on the bottom. I am going to go over the rest of the frame with a wire brush and a couple of cans of some POR-15. I've talked to a couple of welders about this and they have been leery about doing any work on it. I guess my question is Does this problem area need to be addressed or will it realistically hold out for a while longer? I'm not interested in trying to swap out frames right now and I find it annoying when people tell me to sell it and find a new one with less rust. I don't like the idea of pushing my problems onto someone else. I've also put enough into this truck to keep me from just getting rid of it.

Any suggestions or stories of your own experiences are welcome.

Also, this 4runner won't see any significant salt. (Arkansas/Arizona)

 

[MStudt]

It can be fixed if you're willing to put in the time. from the looks of it you'll need to remove the cross-member and then support the transmission/engine. Start cutting out 12" sections and welding new steel back in it's place. Some 1/8" hot rolled steel will be plenty thick, and shouldn't run you more than $40. I recently did the same thing to the inside of the rail on the passenger side. Make sure you have nothing rusting around the rear LCA mounts. This is a prone area for rust.

 

[Natural_Nativ]

Is this something that can wait for a little while down the road? Say, a little less than a year?

Would I be running too great of a risk leaving it until then or am I ok to fix what I can for now and leave that for later?

 

[88Cleve4runner]

Unless you are physically or financially unable to, I'd say take care of it now. Especially how it's basically eaten away at that transmission mount. It could go at anytime looks like.

 

[MStudt]

Is this something that can wait for a little while down the road? Say, a little less than a year?

Would I be running too great of a risk leaving it until then or am I ok to fix what I can for now and leave that for later?

I wouldn't let it go for that long honestly. The longer you let it go, the further the rust is going to spread. Stick you fingers in the frame and make sure the rust hasn't spread on the vertical sides of the rails. I would especially check the rear close to your LCA mounts.

Unless you are physically or financially unable to, I'd say take care of it now. Especially how it's basically eaten away at that transmission mount. It could go at anytime looks like.

The transmission mount is also held on the inside of the frame rail. Which looks like it's in pretty good shape from the pictures. I wouldn't worry to much about that, but more about the frame twisting some.

 

[white_n_slow]

Is the runner driven, or does it just sit in the yard for now?

If my frame looked like that and it was a driver, I would be cancelling my plans and fixing it this weekend. I would remove the crossmember, cut out the rust in a nice straight rectangle, patch in a plate flush with the frame, then cover over with a plate with rounded or pointed ends (straight welds on the frame can cause weak spots down the road), then put the crossmember back in. Better than new!

 

[blizz86]

holey shit. fix asap

 

[Natural_Nativ]

It's driven daily. Mstudt was right, the cross-member is also supported from the side of the frame rail and that area is fine. My problem is that I don't have any way of doing this work myself and don't have any other connections.

 

[88Cleve4runner]

It's driven daily. Mstudt was right, the cross-member is also supported from the side of the frame rail and that area is fine. My problem is that I don't have any way of doing this work myself and don't have any other connections.

It's lost half of it's mounting on that side, even if it's mounted on the inside of the frame (I can't tell what the inside of that frame rail looks like, could be rotten also) and is in shear, it's enough for me to worry about. I personally wouldn't put it off any farther.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Boy, that is really bad. You need to check the rest of the frame very carefully to see the condition in parts that would be likely to fail. Personally, I'd either look for a welder that is willing to really do alot of work, which will be expensive, or at some point, buy a good welder on craigslist and learn to weld yourself. It will probably be cheaper than what a welder would charge you.