Frame Rust Audit

Hey all!
We're looking for a solid older 4Runner for our son to drive to work. The 4th gen seems to be where the best deals are found.

We are in Minnesota, so I have mostly been looking in AZ and CO to try to find a rust-free example. We did find one in a salt state with < 150k miles on a 4.7L, so I asked for frame pictures. Do you think this is beyond workable even if we immediately woolwaxed it?



Thanks everyone, have a great day.

 

It better be free.

 

Haha! So you think it's not workable, understood. Thanks for looking.

There is another, a 2008 with <150k mi for <$9000. I have asked for frame pictures of that one as well. We will see. He really needs transport but I won't let the pressure drive a decision.

 

Don't walk....RUN AWAY from that one!!!

 

Thanks, we will! It is in Rochester, MN, so it must have been daily driven year-round.

We will see if the 2008 I asked about looks any better.

 

You may be limiting your options with your focus on AZ and CO. Most of the southeast states are also good places to find cleaner frames.

 

Cars get shifted and shipped around. We are in Florida and my wife wanted a Cadillac. We then found out that the one she wanted was coming from Michigan.

 

Right on -- I will check Alabama/Georgia/South Carolina. Thanks.

 

BTW, I assume you prefer 4WD based on where you live. 4WD 4th Gens have a “B” as the 4th VIN character. Good shortcut when looking.

 

You’ll find a lot of 2WD but with 4 dedicated snow tires and some weight in the trunk your son should be fine in the snow. I had a 2007 SR5 in FL and drove it to NY during winter time.

 

We live deep in the forest 7mi up a gravel road inland from Lake Superior, in an especially snowy microclimate. We definitely need 4WD, but I do see a few down there. I am hoping for 100-135k miles. We shall see!

 

I understand, but don't dismiss a stunning 2WD if it's in great shape and rust-free. I grew up handling RWD vehicles with snow tires and a 100-pound cement bag in the trunk. We often lived atop a hill where snow plowing was a rare luxury. Your son will acquire driving skills that will serve him for a lifetime.
I hope you’ll find a nice one which can serve him for a decade.

 

I can see inside the frame, in a place that i am not supposed to see inside the frame. The weld on the bottom of the boxed section has split from the frame and you can see inside where you shouldnt be able to. I would bet the inside of the frame has delaminated multiple sheets and likely has some soft spots you can punch a ball peen hammer thru if you give that frame some love taps front to back.

 

This is basically a salvage yard vehicle, not roadworthy:

 

It's crazy that the frames are not coated from the factory (we coated our '24).

 

That would have been relegated to a pasture truck at that point. You know, The one Grandpas could still putt around in ... while not getting on the roads/highway.

 

It would be nice to get a new frame installation on Toyota’s dime because otherwise these trucks are awesome.

 

Agreed. I have my eye on a 2008 with 132k for <9k, so if the frame is good on that one it seems like a solid buy. I really want him to have a great first vehicle to teach him auto maintenance without constant frustration about reliability.

 

It's also crazy, and a stain on Toyota's typically stellar reputation, that 4Runners were not included in the frame rust recall, only Tacomas. You know, the one built on the SAME PLATFORM?

It's also astounding, if not surprising, what's involved in a frame replacement.

 

P.S. Good on you for teaching your son. You really couldn't choose a better vehicle either. I bought my 2007 in 2014 with 96K miles and over time, reached the point that I do nearly all my own work, rarely taking it in for any kind of repair or service. Drew the line at the fuel sender. I could have dropped the tank myself but at that moment of my life, paying someone else to do it was the right call. Now at 266K and still rock solid.

The rust thing reminds me, these frames rust from the inside. I paid ~$25 for an endoscopic camera that attaches to a phone. Great way to look inside.

 

Carfax reports ($60 for 3) will give legal & registered owner info plus some maint. Records.
Have you thought about California vehicles?
A bit longer drive home, but maybe a clean no rust body & frame.
At a higher price point I found a 2019 SR5 (50k miles)for my daughter 11 months ago. Looked new inside, outside , frame & body.
It lived in CA and seemed a mall cruiser.
Prior I scoured 4th gens in Craigs List and found many from San Diego to Sacramento.
Then we upped the budget and reviewed the official Toyota Certified prior owned 4runners website that allows area seaches all over the States.
My maintenance analysis of fluids was under hood - fluids like new.
However, Both Diffs, transfer case, tranny, both drive/propeller shafts had never been serviced. So I did it immediately. Now 5000 miles later, first tire rotation & oil change. All is well. Her little family is going everywhere in it and love it.

 

From what I can tell, theres too many damn holes in these frames, so many places to let crud/salt in and then it goes to work over the years.
I sprayed the inside of mine with fluid film and taped over as many of the side holes as I could reach.

 

I will definitely check, certainly worth a try. With our winter schedule we may have no choice but to ship it anyway. Otherwise we will be in SC in ~Feb; if we don't find one sooner, we might get lucky while we are there.

 

I found mine in Greenville, SC. Looked in metro Atlanta for a year with nothing more than 4WD and a sunroof as must-haves, no luck. We went on vacation to the Outer Banks and I resorted to calling every Toyota dealer along our route home to ask if they had any. Lucked out in Greenville; the truck was spotless, with 96K miles, a clean frame, and even the color I wanted. Ten years and another 170K miles later (266K total), I still love it. Hands down the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. I hope you’ll keep us up on your quest.

 

Beautiful! We will definitely be through Greenville sometime Feb-Apr, so I had better check there just in case. I will keep you posted.

 

It’s such a shame as that drive train has so much life left in it.

 

^After spending $3k replacing cracked exhaust manifolds perhaps.

 

Back then the Japanese engineers had never seen rust before.

(Later year 5th gens got cavity wax in the frame to prevent rotting from the inside out. Tacomas got this first. Thank the American influence on this one.)

 

More like thank American laziness for bringing light to "flaws"

 

Yep, hopefully it will be salvaged, or maybe someone will buy it and swap out the frame. The body looks good.