Too much rust???? Looking at a used 4runner

[Vcustoms]

Looking for advice.

I’m looking to buy a 4runner and saw a pretty nice one online but it’s a bit of a drive to go see it so I would like your opinions about it before I go take a look.

My concerns: how old is the suspension (do you know if it’s an older model), is it a quality suspension, how expensive will it be to replace components of the aftermarket suspension if needed, is the rust on the components and frame something to be concerned about.

Other concerns is how beat up could it be as it seems to have been off roaded, the electrical as the headlights seem to have been swapped and I see switches and other components for things like a CB radio that was removed. Obviously it’s on me for the electrical but just want some opinions.

I have two little ones (still in car seats) so I need something reliable but at the same time I do want something I can have some fun in as a buddy sold his camaro and bought a wrangler.

 

[5vzT4R]

Toytec boss rear shocks and it is a good suspension (cant see the front so no telling what it has there) also has welded on sliders, so most likely was offroaded. The rust looks like more then I would like, but as long as no metal flakes are coming off and you can scratch it and see shiny metal underneath, you should be able to sand it to bare metal and just paint it.

 

[Terminator03]

Looking for advice.

I’m looking to buy a 4runner and saw a pretty nice one online but it’s a bit of a drive to go see it so I would like your opinions about it before I go take a look.

My concerns: how old is the suspension (do you know if it’s an older model), is it a quality suspension, how expensive will it be to replace components of the aftermarket suspension if needed, is the rust on the components and frame something to be concerned about.

Other concerns is how beat up could it be as it seems to have been off roaded, the electrical as the headlights seem to have been swapped and I see switches and other components for things like a CB radio that was removed. Obviously it’s on me for the electrical but just want some opinions.

I have two little ones (still in car seats) so I need something reliable but at the same time I do want something I can have some fun in as a buddy sold his camaro and bought a wrangler.

Honestly, it looks pretty typical as far as rust goes, but I would pay someone to put it up on a lift so they, and/or you can look it over better for actual rusted through areas. Very difficult to spot from just the pics, or a quick examination laying on the ground. It has aftermarket rock sliders welded in, which definitely says to me that it was off roaded, as most people wouldn’t do that just for looks. There is nothing wrong with that as long as it wasn’t beat to death, but once again, paying a competent, independent shop to inspect it, would go a long way to making sure you aren’t buying someone else’s problems.

 

[Vcustoms]

Toytec boss rear shocks and it is a good suspension (cant see the front so no telling what it has there) also has welded on sliders, so most likely was offroaded. The rust looks like more then I would like, but as long as no metal flakes are coming off and you can scratch it and see shiny metal underneath, you should be able to sand it to bare metal and just paint it.

The pics of the front don’t show much so I’m not sure either. Thanks for the heads up about the sliders. Didn’t notice they were welded on. Yea that most likely confirms it was off-roaded. Ugh I wish I could find a truck that’s decent within 50 miles of me. This one is about 1 1/2 hrs away so I really have to think about making the trip just to check out the rust. Thanks for the opinion!

Honestly, it looks pretty typical as far as rust goes, but I would pay someone to put it up on a lift so they, and/or you can look it over better for actual rusted through areas. Very difficult to spot from just the pics, or a quick examination laying on the ground. It has aftermarket rock sliders welded in, which definitely says to me that it was off roaded, as most people wouldn’t do that just for looks. There is nothing wrong with that as long as it wasn’t beat to death, but once again, paying a competent, independent shop to inspect it, would go a long way to making sure you aren’t buying someone else’s problems.

The off roading is a concern. Idk if I wanna take that risk as idk what type of driver the previous owner was. Only upside is it was likely someone who took care of their car. I checked service records and it was at a Toyota dealership a couple times over the past 2-3 years for issues with seized brakes, cracked dash, alignment, an axel, and other things. Not sure if that’s a good thing that there’s been a few issues but I guess it was good that it was serviced by Toyota.

As for having a shop look at it... it’s too far away to have anyone around where I live to check it out but hopefully I can convince a buddy who’s a Lexus tech to come with me to check it out.

 

[Inv4drZm]

It has probably been "wheeled" given the CB radio but likely not hard due to the lack of skid plates, scrapes on the sliders, cuts on the tires, and scratches on the wheels.

Plenty of people add sliders as heavy duty steps.

 

[Vcustoms]

It has probably been "wheeled" given the CB radio but likely not hard due to the lack of skid plates, scrapes on the sliders, cuts on the tires, and scratches on the wheels.

Plenty of people add sliders as heavy duty steps.

You have a valid point. The rims have no scratches as I can see in the pics. Dealership says the tires are “new” so possibly they weren’t off roaded yet.

 

[Juicy]

The off roading is a concern. Idk if I wanna take that risk as idk what type of driver the previous owner was. Only upside is it was likely someone who took care of their car. I checked service records and it was at a Toyota dealership a couple times over the past 2-3 years for issues with seized brakes, cracked dash, alignment, an axel, and other things. Not sure if that’s a good thing that there’s been a few issues but I guess it was good that it was serviced by Toyota.

As for having a shop look at it... it’s too far away to have anyone around where I live to check it out but hopefully I can convince a buddy who’s a Lexus tech to come with me to check it out.

I don't know what other things it went to Toyota for but if those are the only ones and it was only in the last 2-3 years I wouldn't say it was someone who "took care of their car".

I would say pass on this, there are much better ones out there, you just have to be patient. This one seems to have too many negatives/unknowns in my opinion.

 

[Vcustoms]

I don't know what other things it went to Toyota for but if those are the only ones and it was only in the last 2-3 years I wouldn't say it was someone who "took care of their car".

I would say pass on this, there are much better ones out there, you just have to be patient. This one seems to have too many negatives/unknowns in my opinion.

I get what your saying but for someone like myself I never bring my car to the dealership. It only goes to people I trust and have known for years. I guess my hesitation comes in when it actually went to the dealership because the only reason you bring it in is if it’s under warranty or if you know someone. I’m guessing based on how much rust is on the suspension, the last owner bought it with the mods and didn’t know who to bring it to besides the dealership.

I’m really considering a pass on this one based on the fact I will not buying from an owner who has receipts of the installed parts to know how old they are and the fact that it was likely off roaded. A 2003 137k miles with a v8 for $8,700 isn’t bad but I have a feeling it needs work, has electrical hacks, and I’d hate to buy something 2 hrs away and have issues once I get home.

 

[TechWrench]

Your original post doesn't indicate the year, or model of the 4Runner. I am wondering if it is either a Sport, or Limited version which originally came with the Xres suspension system. I ask, because several of the pics appear to show hydraulic lines that have been cut and wire tied out of the way. That is pretty much how I handled the Xres lines to each of the 4 shocks on my '03 Limited, when my Xres suspension failed and I replaced it with standard shocks.

 

[LOUD 4-RUNNER]

Looking for advice.

I’m looking to buy a 4runner and saw a pretty nice one online but it’s a bit of a drive to go see it so I would like your opinions about it before I go take a look.

My concerns: how old is the suspension (do you know if it’s an older model), is it a quality suspension, how expensive will it be to replace components of the aftermarket suspension if needed, is the rust on the components and frame something to be concerned about.

Other concerns is how beat up could it be as it seems to have been off roaded, the electrical as the headlights seem to have been swapped and I see switches and other components for things like a CB radio that was removed. Obviously it’s on me for the electrical but just want some opinions.

I have two little ones (still in car seats) so I need something reliable but at the same time I do want something I can have some fun in as a buddy sold his camaro and bought a wrangler.

I have a 4x4 2004 v8 sport edition for sale if you're interested. It has low miles 81,000 and we're the second owners.

 

[Vcustoms]

Your original post doesn't indicate the year, or model of the 4Runner. I am wondering if it is either a Sport, or Limited version which originally came with the Xres suspension system. I ask, because several of the pics appear to show hydraulic lines that have been cut and wire tied out of the way. That is pretty much how I handled the Xres lines to each of the 4 shocks on my '03 Limited, when my Xres suspension failed and I replaced it with standard shocks.

It’s an 03 limited. I figured the xres was removed after the suspension upgrade.

 

[Vcustoms]

I have a 4x4 2004 v8 sport edition for sale if you're interested. It has low miles 81,000 and we're the second owners.

Don’t think you’ll ship it to Nj for 8k.... GL with sale. Sounds like a nice 4runner. Should sell fast especially being a sport model

 

[Navarrojiii]

Not to hi jack this thread but what did you decide about the rust?

Is this too much rust?

 

[Vcustoms]

Not to hi jack this thread but what did you decide about the rust?

Is this too much rust?View attachment 297487

View attachment 297488

Short answer: not going to check it out

Long answer: it’s a 2 hr drive for a possibility that I won’t like something about it or there’s too much rust. Plus it’s a limited and not a sport. Also I doubt the dealership knows when the parts were installed bc I asked and they never responded. It could be real old and in need of replacement. Then I’m stuck with looking for aftermarket parts that may not be easily accessible or possibly expensive.

As for your rust... is it surface like can you scrap it off and see bare metal or can you put a screw driver through it?