Rust problems! help! how bad is it? how can I fix it?

[CHUCK1318]

Recently bought a 1999 Highlander, rust on frame is superficial and normal for a car this age. But this is right below the door/side panels. How bad is it? how can I fix it?

 

[MN4runnerman]

Cut it out before it spreads and takes out the rest of your rockers. Your gonna have to take the running boards off to fix it. Basically how hard do you want to work? I've welded in new rockers before and it's a lot of work. I also have gone a cheaper route too. Since it's a smaller spot you can potentially save it by cutting the rust out and prepping it with a solvent and rustproofing. Then take a piece of sheet metal and bend it to match the curves of the rocker. Rivet it in place then use spot putty(fine grain bondo) to smooth out the edges. Then get an aerosol can of single stage paint that matches the body(has the base coat and clear coat in the can) and it's done.

 

[CHUCK1318]

thank you so much man! I'm a complete noob to welding and don't even have the equipment or place to do so. But I work next to about a dozen car junkyards so I will be going there to find the rocker panels. There's hundred of 2wd 4runners around here so it should be easy.( If you ever need parts feel free to ask and I can go check) Plus car shops in Miami can be extremely cheap. Have a friend with a shop so I'm gonna see how much he'll charge me to weld the newer panels in and then I'll probably paint them myself.

My only worry is how much time I have before it spreads more and if there's anything I can do to help it. Any suggestions besides cutting everything out ?

I do live In Miami though so at least the weather won't be making it much worse. I think it should take me about 3 months to get the parts and everything fixed up.

p.s. I ****ing love your signature haha

 

[MN4runnerman]

thank you so much man! I'm a complete noob to welding and don't even have the equipment or place to do so. But I work next to about a dozen car junkyards so I will be going there to find the rocker panels. There's hundred of 2wd 4runners around here so it should be easy.( If you ever need parts feel free to ask and I can go check) Plus car shops in Miami can be extremely cheap. Have a friend with a shop so I'm gonna see how much he'll charge me to weld the newer panels in and then I'll probably paint them myself.

My only worry is how much time I have before it spreads more and if there's anything I can do to help it. Any suggestions besides cutting everything out ?

I do live In Miami though so at least the weather won't be making it much worse. I think it should take me about 3 months to get the parts and everything fixed up.

p.s. I ****ing love your signature haha

As long as you keep it away from salt spray and sand you should be fine. You can use a rust encapsulater paint(por15 or chassis saver) and apply it with a brush which will hold the rust back until you're ready to fix it.

 

[CHUCK1318]

thanks man!

 

[tomcamaro97]

agree with mn man.

 

[T4R2014]

If you're new to welding and want this repair to look nice, then you're probably better off paying someone. If not that then just spray it with fluid film and ignore it. A badly done repair is just as ugly if not worse in some cases.

 

[markymark191]

Honestly I would sell it and fly west(from florida) and drive one back to where you are at. thats what I did and couldn't be happier! From my experience with rust is as fast as you can "fix" it more will keep showing up and spreading. Its so much work. Its a lot easier to prevent it than try to stop it.