Hi folks
I'd been thinking about writing this thread since last week when I dicovered my problem. I read a thread on 5TR asking “How much rust is too much” & it pushed me over the edge.
I bought the one 4Runner I found that I could afford at the time as I was committed to buying a 4Runner but needed a vehicle NOW. I’m in the south eastern corner of PA and I had it brought down & accress from opposite corner of PA (Pittsburg).
It was told by several trusted people that this one only had a litlle surface corrsion, a normal level for a 2011. That was confirmed by the body shop that took off the skid plates etc, sanded off the visible surface rust, applied rust converter and painted w/ chassis paint. I drive on ocean beach and protecting from corrosion is a priority.
I just had a custom - high performance wireing harness installed (i.e. rewired my lights) and installed higher performance bulbs including getting a set of Hella auxillary fogs installed. This model is previous to the redesign w/ projector housings and LEDs. I also got a new Battery. An Interstate MT7 AGM to be specific, as this was the highest rated for my vehicle on Consumer Reports.
We discovered the voltage at the battery was low, at 13.2. My friend, a veteran mechanic, did a bit of exploring. He found that the battery was good & the alternator was putting out what it should.He also noticed the ground from the battery to the chassis was corroded. He replaced that ground and the voltage went up from 13.2 to 13.6. Not enough but a defininate improvement. He hypothosised that becasue it came from an envoriment that got noticable snow & used lots of road salt that this corrsion was from salt spray & that other electrical connections would most likly also be bad. Further, he suggestes to get the voltage up above 14 where it should be, more wires and connections would need to be replaced. He thought it might be as simple as replacning the ground on the power side or as involved as needing a whole new wiring harness. I hope that’s not the case as it will be quite costly, although if it’s enevidable I’d like to just do it as opposed to chasing smaller things and placing temporary band-aids.
Have any of you ever heard of this happening on our 4Runners or similar vehilcles? Do any of you have any ideas of other potential cuprits for the low voltage? Obvoiously I’m starting to panic about what other hidden corrosion damage might be lurking and witing to bite me. I finanaced this for several years and dumped a bunch of money doing upgrades & mods. I hope to keep this for a long time.
I appreciate any input, ideas and suggestions.
Thanks!
JD
I'd been thinking about writing this thread since last week when I dicovered my problem. I read a thread on 5TR asking “How much rust is too much” & it pushed me over the edge.
I bought the one 4Runner I found that I could afford at the time as I was committed to buying a 4Runner but needed a vehicle NOW. I’m in the south eastern corner of PA and I had it brought down & accress from opposite corner of PA (Pittsburg).
It was told by several trusted people that this one only had a litlle surface corrsion, a normal level for a 2011. That was confirmed by the body shop that took off the skid plates etc, sanded off the visible surface rust, applied rust converter and painted w/ chassis paint. I drive on ocean beach and protecting from corrosion is a priority.
I just had a custom - high performance wireing harness installed (i.e. rewired my lights) and installed higher performance bulbs including getting a set of Hella auxillary fogs installed. This model is previous to the redesign w/ projector housings and LEDs. I also got a new Battery. An Interstate MT7 AGM to be specific, as this was the highest rated for my vehicle on Consumer Reports.
We discovered the voltage at the battery was low, at 13.2. My friend, a veteran mechanic, did a bit of exploring. He found that the battery was good & the alternator was putting out what it should.He also noticed the ground from the battery to the chassis was corroded. He replaced that ground and the voltage went up from 13.2 to 13.6. Not enough but a defininate improvement. He hypothosised that becasue it came from an envoriment that got noticable snow & used lots of road salt that this corrsion was from salt spray & that other electrical connections would most likly also be bad. Further, he suggestes to get the voltage up above 14 where it should be, more wires and connections would need to be replaced. He thought it might be as simple as replacning the ground on the power side or as involved as needing a whole new wiring harness. I hope that’s not the case as it will be quite costly, although if it’s enevidable I’d like to just do it as opposed to chasing smaller things and placing temporary band-aids.
Have any of you ever heard of this happening on our 4Runners or similar vehilcles? Do any of you have any ideas of other potential cuprits for the low voltage? Obvoiously I’m starting to panic about what other hidden corrosion damage might be lurking and witing to bite me. I finanaced this for several years and dumped a bunch of money doing upgrades & mods. I hope to keep this for a long time.
I appreciate any input, ideas and suggestions.
Thanks!
JD
