Time for a new frame

[rjb75]

I just found a 2 inch hole in the frame located on the passenger side front where the AC condensation drain hose drips on top of the rail. The rest of the frame is pretty rusty, but no other holes that I can see. That spot has been rusty ever since I bought the truck but this winter definitely did a number on it.

It only has 121k miles on it w/the V8 and there's no rust on the body. I still owe money on the truck-should I be "that guy" and trade it, take whatever the dealer gives me? Or, should I be "that guy" and sell the truck via private sale after trying to do a hack patch job or hope the buyer doesn't even notice the hole? Do I try to get a dealer to goodwill a frame w/Toyota? How does a second owner that hasn't bought any Toyotas other than this one used even get a dealer to consider that? My conscience and wallet won't let me do any of these things. That leaves me with doing a frame swap.

I live in northwestern NJ, so getting a salvage frame from around here, if I can find one, will probably yield something in marginally better condition than what's on my truck now if I'm lucky. Having one shipped from the southwest would probably be the best bet, but do I buy one sight unseen? Does it make sense to spend money on a plane ticket to look at a frame?

Did I mention that I live in a condo complex? Where the hell am I going to do a frame swap? How the hell do you even go about swapping a frame?

All in all, a depressing day.

 

[Maineiac]

I feel ya. I live up here in Maine where they are very generous with the salt and what ever else they are using on the roads. I am guessing I may have a couple of years left at best. It's a shame Toyota thinks our frames are "fine". There is an 06 v6 with 150k near me at a dealer they can't even dump it at auction the frame is so bad.

I am at 210K and need to decide if I am going to invest more money into keeping it on the road or if it's time. I personally would have someone that is good at that sort of thing patch it up if it happens to be isolated to that one spot. My 2 pennies

Good luck

 

[CAN-03runner]

Is this the part 51021B linked below?

Frame. Fits: 2003 Toyota 4Runner | Toyota Parts Direct

I know 2 persons who bought that section from Toyota and then had the old frame section cut off and new piece welded back in. It wasn't easy, and the whole ordeal wasn't cheap either. But that's an option.

Are you familiar with modification laws in your state? Find a shop who repairs accidented cars. sometimes they need to weld 2 halves of a car together. They will be able to tell you what is legal if you are concerned.

In my jurisdiction welding onto a frame is not legal. But repairs are done all the time, and a repair shop should be able to navigate the regulations and get it certified if needed. Where I'm at this might go as far as my province vehicle registration dept to issue a new serial number.

 

[Beaumont67]

I just found a 2 inch hole in the frame located on the passenger side front where the AC condensation drain hose drips on top of the rail. The rest of the frame is pretty rusty, but no other holes that I can see. That spot has been rusty ever since I bought the truck but this winter definitely did a number on it.

It only has 121k miles on it w/the V8 and there's no rust on the body. I still owe money on the truck..... That leaves me with doing a frame swap.

I live in northwestern NJ, so getting a salvage frame from around here, if I can find one, will probably yield something in marginally better condition than what's on my truck now if I'm lucky. Having one shipped from the southwest would probably be the best bet, but do I buy one sight unseen? Does it make sense to spend money on a plane ticket to look at a frame?

Did I mention that I live in a condo complex? Where the hell am I going to do a frame swap? How the hell do you even go about swapping a frame?

All in all, a depressing day.

First - see if Toyota will warranty a new frame swap / its worth fixing once, but not over & over again (in years to come).

If NO - Find a Heavy Truck Shop that does Suspension (springs) & Frame work.
Have rusted section cut out & new metal fabricated & properly welded in.

Condo living with probably next to nothing in tools / plus its a 2004 model, that isn't even paid for yet.
- a frame swap master plan, given these limitations / is just wishful thinking

Have frame fixed right only ONCE & start wax-oil spray undercoating, using Fluid Film...good yearly rust protection.

If you want to sell v8-Gen4 as is, post a classified with honest description & take good photos / don't let needed repair, snow ball into a money pit.

 

[46runner]

Can you have a plate welded over the hole? I've seen Toyota do that before so it sounds legit. Then fluid film annually like what Beaumont said.

 

[blackoutt]

Complain complain complain. One dealer says they won't help you, go to another. It's a lot of work to get something good willed but if you're loud enough any manufacturer will eventually listen. Especially with Toyota's known frame rust issues.

 

[MSRP.]

Do the rest of us a big favor and keep this thread updated.

I found a rust hole through the driver side footwell.. quebec car..
In addition to various dealers, tweet and fb message Toyota.. the people behind social media are incredibly responsive, and I assume, will be more responsible than a verbal conversation with little paper trail.

 

[wsgoat]

Yup, it's a sad fact our 4Runner frames are prone to rust, especially in northern areas where road chlorides are applied. My '05 lower radiator core support and front skid are gone due to rust. I refuse to subject my new '17 to the same abuse and plan to store it for the worst of the winter months, I'll drive the '05. As others have mentioned, annual applications of fluid film and an occasional under carriage wash during the winter helps.

 

[ecally]

No one around my area of PA will go anywhere near a frame with a hole in it. I called every local and not so local company around (there was a hole in the frame of one of our trucks at work). And it won't pass inspection either. What a shame for an otherwise solid truck.

 

[rjb75]

[MENTION=67593]Maineiac[/MENTION] I plan on taking it to a good body shop in the area to have them look over the frame to see if a patch is worth doing-I'll update this thread when I get the results.

[MENTION=48266]CAN-03runner[/MENTION] No, it's actually on the top seam of the passenger side front frame rail.

Like I said above, I'm going to consult an auto body shop to see if it's worth patching.

[MENTION=134828]Beaumont67[/MENTION] I'm not even sure how to go about getting Toyota to fix it. Bring it to a dealer, have them look at the frame and ask/beg from there? I may be able to find a place to swap the frame outdoors but it will be a weeks long process-not something I think is feasible either.

[MENTION=113703]46runner[/MENTION] I had always planned on getting under the truck and applying something like Fluid Film but never made the time. Trust me, if I can get Toyota to fix this, I'll be sure to make it a priority.

[MENTION=117708]blackoutt[/MENTION]-again, not sure how to go about this other than to be a polite pain in the ass to the dealer(s)?

[MENTION=132876]MSRP.[/MENTION] I plan on keeping this updated-let's hope I can find a dealer willing to help.

[MENTION=31206]wsgoat[/MENTION] I do get the truck washed weekly and ask for the undercarriage wash, guess it didn't work so well though.

 

[07V8]

All I'm going to say is a little maintenance goes a long way. My car has been outside in NJ,PA, and Chicago for 11 years as a DD. The frame is spotless.....spend time at a wash after snow/salt and spray the underneath with an oil should you feel the need.

$5 at a car wash goes a long way.

 

[blind squirrel]

Dibs on those headers if you part it out!! :bolt:

 

[rjb75]

All I'm going to say is a little maintenance goes a long way. My car has been outside in NJ,PA, and Chicago for 11 years as a DD. The frame is spotless.....spend time at a wash after snow/salt and spray the underneath with an oil should you feel the need.

$5 at a car wash goes a long way.

I applaud your dedication to auto maintenance.

I never said that this is all Toyota's fault. I have plenty of culpability by not addressing the rust that was already there when I bought the truck two years ago. I do wash the truck regularly, especially in the winter, but have not sprayed anything on the frame to prevent rust nor removed rust and repainted anything to slow the further spread of rust. The issue with this particular area on the frame, at least for my truck, is that the A/C condensation drain empties directly on top of this spot. I should have made the hose longer so that the water would hit the ground, not the top of the frame rail.

I've already beaten myself up plenty by not doing everything I could before now to prevent this, but here I am and I have to figure out what the best course of action is.

 

[rjb75]

Dibs on those headers if you part it out!! :bolt:

Not even close to considering this yet, but your interest is duly noted.

 

[Sporin]

There are members on this forum who got Toyota to replace their frame, so it can happen if you push hard enough and find the right dealer.

Worth trying before paying out of pocket.

 

[blackoutt]

There are members on this forum who got Toyota to replace their frame, so it can happen if you push hard enough and find the right dealer.

Worth trying before paying out of pocket.

^ this. There's no formula. You just keep trying and figure it out. If you don't have the time or patience to put into it then this may not be the best route for you. I work for a well known engine company and have seen many very bullsh*t claims that we just pay anyway from people complaining hard enough and to the right people, but that's why we maintain a good reputation on the market with high customer return rates.

 

[rjb75]

^ this. There's no formula. You just keep trying and figure it out. If you don't have the time or patience to put into it then this may not be the best route for you. I work for a well known engine company and have seen many very bullsh*t claims that we just pay anyway from people complaining hard enough and to the right people, but that's why we maintain a good reputation on the market with high customer return rates.

Makes sense. We do some of that as well at the Freightliner dealer I work for to keep people happy. Come to think of it, I think a friend of mine is acquainted with someone that owns a Toyota dealer, that's where I'll start.

 

[DZNUTS]

No one around my area of PA will go anywhere near a frame with a hole in it. I called every local and not so local company around (there was a hole in the frame of one of our trucks at work). And it won't pass inspection either. What a shame for an otherwise solid truck.

You just need to rent a welder [emoji6]

We're doing all kinds of stuff on my 4Runner and my buddy's Taco


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[V8Man]

[MENTION=125171]rjb75[/MENTION]

Another option would be to swap out the frame with a rust free one from Texas or Oklahoma. I have a V8 and V6 Sport. They have all the full lines, brake lines, suspension, steering rack. The V6 is perfect and has the rear-end so it could go on a two dolly. The V8 was my #1, the rear-end tube is bent and it will need to be trailered.

 

[rjb75]

[MENTION=125171]rjb75[/MENTION]

Another option would be to swap out the frame with a rust free one from Texas or Oklahoma. I have a V8 and V6 Sport. They have all the full lines, brake lines, suspension, steering rack. The V6 is perfect and has the rear-end so it could go on a two dolly. The V8 was my #1, the rear-end tube is bent and it will need to be trailered.

I'm not sure 2WD frames will accommodate 4WD and I don't have a space to do a frame swap since I live in a condo. I'm trying to schedule an appointment at a body shop this week to inspect the frame as well as trying to find the best Toyota dealer in the area to get it inspected/possible good will replacement.