Too much rust?

J

jtharlow

New member
Hey

I've been digging around here for awhile while in search for my first 4runner. I have ran across many that were very very rusty and didn't even think twice. However I have ran across one that is practically perfect but I'm just not sure about the rust underneath. Is this something that I can deal with or should I just keep looking? Keep in mind that this is the best one that I have seen so far.

Any and all advice is welcome thanks. :usa2:

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Looks like a good amount of rust, check the frame near the rear axle lower control arm mounts. Tends to rust through there
 
Agreed with above looks like someone did a bad fix or tried hiding it. Scrape the bubbled parts and knock check the panels.
 
trekk said:
that looks like the rust has been painted over to hide it. I would do a very thorough inspection.
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Seconded. I'm shopping as well and its common for the second hand lots to hit it with black paint to hide the rust. Look for tell tale rough surface and flaking of new paint. Just rub the surface in question and that tell you all you need to know.

As far as passing up a vehicle simply because of the rust, depends on other aspects of the package - low miles, clean interior, good paint can sway me. Can't get too picky with a generation of vehicles that are at minimum, 13 years old.

Undercarriage rust can be treated and dealt with. Just have to put in the work.
 
Rust makes every repair and mod very difficult, time consuming, and often more expensive.
Look for the condition of threads on bolts. If the threads are rough you will kick yourself later. Most of my Mondays include a trip to the dealership getting hardware.
 
These are 14 yr old vehicles; they will all have rust, on bolt threads especially. Looking for one without would be a never ending task. Pick one that you think you can work the rust away and be happy with it.
 
43jeep said:
These are 14 yr old vehicles; they will all have rust, on bolt threads especially. Looking for one without would be a never ending task. Pick one that you think you can work the rust away and be happy with it.
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But you dont have to settle for one with the amount of rust the op posted. Rear axle has been sprayed and skid plate. Looking at how bad the spare is I would be afraid if the rear axle was done right. I have seen worse but I would keep looking but living in the west coast non rusted come by often.
 
looks like he used chasis saver (as i did also)

it requires a decent amount of prep and does a good job stopping rust from growing. While nothing looks too crazy in your picture I guess look for under the rear diff like mentioned and things like where the upper control arms mount.
 
My truck looks the same or better. If they painted over the rust that's bad. If its POR15 thats good. You need to look for rot. My truck has surface rust but nothing is rotted through.
I agree with the others about modding. Getting off rusted nuts/threads was the worst part of my lift install over the last month. Get the torch/cut-off wheel ready. WD40 everything 24hrs in advance & wire brush all threads.
 
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43jeep said:
These are 14 yr old vehicles; they will all have rust, on bolt threads especially. Looking for one without would be a never ending task. Pick one that you think you can work the rust away and be happy with it.
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Ever been to Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, etc, etc? There is one in KC with no rust PITTING!
I traveled 500 miles to purchase the best mechanical one I could find. Next year I will travel 500 or more miles to get one that has no rust PITTING!
 
maverickhawk said:
Ever been to Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, etc, etc? There is one in KC with no rust PITTING!
I traveled 500 miles to purchase the best mechanical one I could find. Next year I will travel 500 or more miles to get one that has no rust PITTING!
Click to expand...

Go to Texas near the Gulf, they rust there too.
 
Thanks for all the replies! I have passed on this runner because of the rust but I'm not really sure what I'm willing to settle with. Other than this rust it had everything I was looking for. 99 4Runner limited black with 114k and a factory e-locker. Anyone have pictures of their undercarriage? I really need to figure out what's the best I can find so I have some frame of reference.

I looked at a 99 that the guy told me had virtually no rust and it turned out it had a hole in the frame.

I'm wondering if it's next to impossible or I just need to keep looking. I've been looking for 6 months and have probably spent a weeks worth of time on the road looking at runners.
 
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