Worried about my frame

[planeboy95]

Hey guys, I have a 03 4R that I just bought used in excellent condition and for having spent some time in Ohio, so is the frame except that there is noticeable rust starting on the frame and after having to trash the frame on a 78 CJ7, its got me worried.

I plan on keeping my 4R for a good long time, and will replace parts as they go but if the frame goes...Can that even be replaced? Is it possible? What do yall recommend that I do?? I want to get the frame situated before I even consider doing anything upgrade-wise because I want to use it as a full-time basher 5 years from now.

Help!!!:cry2:

 

[NuclearN8]

Everyone's opinion of frame rust is different. Post some pics...

It'd be pretty rare in my opinion for a 13-14 year old vehicle not to have frame rust, especially if it spent any time at all in the North or on either coast. Surface rust usually appears first along all the welds so if that's all you got, that's no big deal in my book. Por15 it with 2-3 coats and be done. You could also do eastwood internal frame coating so it doesn't rot from the inside out.

 

[07V8]

Pictures.....? If it is in excellent condition with considerable rust than its not in excellent condition.

 

[planeboy95]

Here are some pictures:

I guess compared to what some cars look like in the rust belt after 13 years, I think its in excellent or at least very good condition but definitely some noticeable rust.

Is there any body who does professional Por 15 jobs?

 

[mtomaro]

To me, that looks like excellent condition for a 13 year old truck from Ohio...

I wouldn't touch it if I were you. Just forget about it.

 

[wadle5]

13 year old vehicle in the salty rustbelt of the midwest and your undercairrage looks like that. Unless they dressed it up and tried cleaning it up a bit and sealing over it. Your frame looks amazingly fine. Party on :whoo:

 

[blackoutt]

As stated - doesn't look too bad all. You could always prep and por15 or similar, or fluid film are the suggestions you'll get around here. Either way, carry on.

 

[toy4xchris]

heck mine is a california truck and looks like that i think you are good...

If it really worries you take a wire wheel or brush the the rust areas and then paint it with a decent rust inhibitor primer and black paint and call it good.

 

[Lolrax]

Looks good to me! No worries IMO

 

[eviele]

Everyone in New England is jealous of that frame...

:flypig:

 

[T4R2014]

You west coast guys are damn hilarious.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

Everyone in New England is jealous of that frame...

:flypig:

not everyone, mine hasn't been owned south of NY since it was sold in 03 and my frame is cleaner than that

 

[planeboy95]

Such a relief to hear, I might still POR it jsut so I never have to worry about it but I'm so happy thats its GTG, and now I have the greenlight to go mod crazy!!
Here are some more pics for good measure (I did a little paint touch up around the spare and on the hitch):

 

[NuclearN8]

your 4runner looks great underneath in my opinion. my wife's 07 looked a hell of a lot worse than that before I put on two coats of POR-15 earlier this summer, now it looks brand new.

POR-15 is a great product. tedious and hell to apply and like anything else surface prep is the key.

I tried fluid film before por-15 when it looked a little worse than yorus and after two years it made it worse in my opinion. by worse, I mean it accelerated the surface rust by causing the oem coating to peel flake faster than it otherwise would or had. that's why I por-15'd hers this summer.
I believe por-15 is a great product to keep something looking new but probably not the best option if you have existing surface rust, at least this is my experience.

 

[M1911]

I plan on keeping my 4R for a good long time, and will replace parts as they go but if the frame goes...Can that even be replaced? Is it possible?

Yes, it is possible. But unless Toyota is picking up most of the cost, it isn't cost effective.

Toyota replaced the frame on my '03. I had to pay the first $1000, plus about another $1000 for rusted/broken suspension parts. Toyota paid for the rest. Considering that there was about 40 hours of labor involved, I think the total cost for a frame replacement is over $6000 if you paid for it yourself.

Toyota has not recalled the 4th Gen 4Runner for frame rust. They have replaced frames on a case by case basis -- some frames they have paid to replace and some they have refused to help. It isn't clear to me how Toyota makes this decision.

 

[inscarguy]

that's how my frame looks here in Ma. that's in real good shape, I have seen worse.

I am in the process of doing my GMC sierra frame over. I am prepping the frame and once that is done I am treating it with Permatex Rust inhibitor. its a liguid that is brushed on. so far its working out very well. once I have waited the 24 hours dry time I spray the frame with a good "frame, suspension epoxy paint". been like this a few months and so far nothing has come back. looks like a new frame.