Rust analysis

[ASUMTNEER]

Looking at a 2006 Limited 4x4. It's been in North VA all it's life, so I asked for some undercarriage pics. It will gain more rust where I live over the years.

How bad is it? Would you be worried? It's a pretty good price, but not a steal.

 

[blackoutt]

Not perfect, but really not that terrible either. The welds will have surface rust on any 4runner frame, it's the other spots on the rear lower control arm links and front rad crossmember that need more attention. Do you plan on doing any sort of frame restoration? Wire wheel, phosphoric acid, enamel paint, inner rail coating would make that look new and last much longer. Lots of work but if the deals worth it and your labor is free (like mine to myself) then I say go for it.

 

[wc11]

Not too bad but I'd recommend getting it sprayed annually with Krown or similar to stop it and prevent any further progression

 

[sal6430]

No too bad

Looking at a 2006 Limited 4x4. It's been in North VA all it's life, so I asked for some undercarriage pics. It will gain more rust where I live over the years.

How bad is it? Would you be worried? It's a pretty good price, but not a steal.

Looks like the undercarriage of my truck! A little bit of elbow grease, and some time should take care of that.

 

[Inv4drZm]

The front skid plate is missing and the exhaust looks like it has been patched up in the last picture.

 

[Timberland]

Looks normal for a northern vehicle. The southern guys might tell you to walk away but they just don't know what life is like up here. Regular oil spraying was a good suggestion. Be prepared though, when you see DIY threads on here saying certain jobs are easy - those bolts are gonna give you a bad time.

 

[Porqupine82]

Not perfect, but really not that terrible either. The welds will have surface rust on any 4runner frame, it's the other spots on the rear lower control arm links and front rad crossmember that need more attention. Do you plan on doing any sort of frame restoration? Wire wheel, phosphoric acid, enamel paint, inner rail coating would make that look new and last much longer. Lots of work but if the deals worth it and your labor is free (like mine to myself) then I say go for it.

How do you coat the inside of the frame... Always wondered..

 

[chaz]

Internal Frame Coating w/Spray Nozzle | Eastwood

 

[blackoutt]

Yep, that was the exact link I was going to post. Not sure how effective it would be on my frame full of mud now but I may try to clean it out and internal coat at some point. I can see the advantages so I'd recommend to anyone who has a cleaner frame internally to try it. Toyota's first response to the rusty pickup frames back in the day was to coat them on the inside with a waxy substance so not a bad after the factory attempt to keep it solid.

 

[jfry008]

How do you coat the inside of the frame... Always wondered..

Or fluid film wax w/ wand:
Fluid Film Extension Wand
2 cans and a wand for $38.40

 

[masphx]

Thanks for posting this. My newly bought 2003 has about the same amount of rust. Maybe less as the skids took most of it over it's life.

 

[masphx]

So I have removed some of my rust using a grinder. I then let the repair area sit for a week without any rain and it looks like there are some light rust spots returning. Do I have a deeper problem or should I move onto painting over my repair areas.

 

[MedicBob]

Prime then paint bare metal. Rust will always reform unless protected.