Undercarriage Rust, Suspension Question

[adkinsadam1]

Firstly, many aspects of the undercarriage appear to be rusting such as the skid plates and exhaust pipe and the exterior of the frame. Would a quick coating of WD40 and wipe down slow the rusting process? I have not been driving in salt - but we often drive on wet dirt roads. Secondly, is frequent off-roading on very rough roads where suspension is often very articulated bad for the suspension over time? Will there be ill-effects to off-roading to this caliber? Answers to these two questions are very much appreciated!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Firstly, many aspects of the undercarriage appear to be rusting such as the skid plates and exhaust pipe and the exterior of the frame. Would a quick coating of WD40 and wipe down slow the rusting process? I have not been driving in salt - but we often drive on wet dirt roads. On the skids you can take them off, spray with some rust ret-a-r-dent and the pickup bedliner. If you want to spray most of the underneath with something periodically I don't think WD40 will have enough staying power to help much. I'd try the old tried & true Boeshield T9. Secondly, is frequent off-roading on very rough roads where suspension is often very articulated bad for the suspension over time? Will there be ill-effects to off-roading to this caliber? Of course you suspension components won't last as well as an on-road southern car (smooth roads). BUT that's why you bought a 4Runner, it's designed to be used as your using it. This platform is a mainstay in the 3rd world and designed accordingly. Don't beat the vehicle to death by trying to jump it etc. but don't spend too much time worrying about it either. Just enjoy it:bigok: Answers to these two questions are very much appreciated!

:cheers:

 

[adkinsadam1]

Well, that makes me feel much better about the suspension thing! Some of the trails I've been running lately have been very demanding on the suspension; high articulation and bounciness, ect. I am glad that it was designed to cope with such use! And good idea, I will use the product you suggest on the rusting parts. Thanks a lot!

 

[M1911]

My skidplates rusted into oblivion. More worrying is that my middle frame crossmember has rusted a great deal as well. I've replaced the skidplates with BudBuilt. I spent some time sanding down the frame crossmember as best I could (not as much as needed, frankly), and then painted with rust inhibiting paint.

I'm rather disappointed in how badly the frame is rusting.

 

[Maritimer]

Gravel roads will kill an under body and frame, especially when combined with winter and salt. Guards around the wheels and the Rust Check spray cans would be a good solution.

 

[M1911]

Gravel roads will kill an under body and frame, especially when combined with winter and salt. Guards around the wheels and the Rust Check spray cans would be a good solution.

It wasn't gravel roads in my case.

 

[adkinsadam1]

Well, I drive on dirt and gravel roads when wet or with 4 feet of snow so.... I am going to have to monitor the rusting situation. But concern numero uno for me right now is the suspension. I just want it to stay in shape through all the rough riding we do.


PS: Here is a picture from Mosquito Pass yesterday. I always underestimate just how rough that road is! I thought this picture taken through the windshield was cool because it looks more like an airplane than a 4runner!

 

[DC Dude]

Prior to last winter, I scraped off all the rust I could see and sprayed with a rust proof primer/paint. I'm glad I did, but will probably touch up again before this winter.

 

[offshorebear]

I wouldn't worry about the suspension. If you wear out the shocks after 50k miles instead of 100k miles; it was probably worth the couple hundred dollars for the adventures you had.

 

[ToyotaF1Fan]

I live in Michigan where we get plenty of snow and TONS of salt and I swear by this stuff: POR15, Inc. - Stop Rust Permanently - Repair Gas & Fuel Tanks

They sell chassis specific stuff as well.

 

[adkinsadam1]

How do I know when the suspension is done? I have 63,000 miles on mine.

 

[M1911]

How do I know when the suspension is done? I have 63,000 miles on mine.

Push up and down on either bumper until the truck is bouncing pretty good, then stop. The truck should stop in one cycle. If not, then your shocks are shot.

Also, get underneath and see if the shocks are leaking.

 

[rdrunner]

I live in Michigan where we get plenty of snow and TONS of salt and I swear by this stuff: POR15, Inc. - Stop Rust Permanently - Repair Gas & Fuel Tanks

They sell chassis specific stuff as well.

I've seen that before when I was looking for some type of rust proofing online. It's pretty expensive! Is it really worth it and how much do you estimate you'd need for under the 4runner?

 

[swise]

Well, I drive on dirt and gravel roads when wet or with 4 feet of snow so.... I am going to have to monitor the rusting situation. But concern numero uno for me right now is the suspension. I just want it to stay in shape through all the rough riding we do.


PS: Here is a picture from Mosquito Pass yesterday. I always underestimate just how rough that road is! I thought this picture taken through the windshield was cool because it looks more like an airplane than a 4runner!

That is awesome!

 

[adkinsadam1]

Well I did the bouncing thing. Quite difficult to get it to bounce up and down. The moment I stopped pushing it sat still. At least on the back. I couldn't get it to bounce like that on the front - I was afraid I was going to knock the bumper off. So does that mean that the suspension is good to go?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Well I did the bouncing thing. Quite difficult to get it to bounce up and down. The moment I stopped pushing it sat still. At least on the back. I couldn't get it to bounce like that on the front - I was afraid I was going to knock the bumper off. So does that mean that the suspension is good to go? Maybe, a visual inspection for wet shocks is the second part.

As far as the bounce test goes I prefer to drive it through a sharp dip and see how it feels there. More than about 1.5 bounces is too much. The bumper test may be skewed if the swaybar bushings are a bit sticky.

There's no doubt for your use a fresh set of Bilsteins would make you say "wow', this is great. Do you need them at 6x,xxx miles? If you XREAS maybe, if not then probably not.
:cheers:

 

[adkinsadam1]

Thanks CJ, I will take your advice, and see how it feels. Plus I will visually inspect it. I just don't want to kill it rock-crawling.


PS: This might be juvenile and off topic but the first half of my last post was the perfect thats what she said moment (below).

Well I did the bouncing thing. Quite difficult to get it to bounce up and down. The moment I stopped pushing it sat still. At least on the back. I couldn't get it to bounce like that on the front - I was afraid I was going to knock the bumper off. So does that mean that the suspension is good to go?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

PS: This might be juvenile and off topic but the first half of my last post was the perfect thats what she said moment (below).

Yes, very juvenile. A little Beavis & Butthead with just a bit of Southpark thrown in:lmao: :lmao: arty:

 

[zstampe]

Yes, very juvenile. A little Beavis & Butthead with just a bit of Southpark thrown in:lmao: :lmao: arty:

But hilarious!

 

[EvilMonkey]

WD-40 will just collect more dust and dirt. I've driven the roads you posted and others in stock vehicles and each vehicle paid the price. You will wear out parts much faster and also may get to experience part failure on the trail. A front cracked UCA mount coming down Red Cone is not fun:ybrick:. I would suggest looking in to a suspension lift. I just got my 4Runner last week so I haven't done a lift yet and may not at all. I do however have a TJ with a 4" Rokmen JJ's lift. It's a great feeling when you know that the rock that just scraped up the vehicle in front of you is not going to touch you.:biggrin2: