2003 frame rot............

The frame on my 2003 is starting to go, the front cross member is pretty much gone and there's a "perforation" in the driver side frame rail by the gas tank...How common is this in the 4t gen 4runner and has Toyota helped out anyone with this problem ?? Thanks

 

Where are you in this country? That's the question

 

Northern New Hampshire..

 

its more common on tacoma and tundras of the 2000-05 vintage, but in northern new hampshire I'm not surprised. does it get washed off or rinsed in the winter?

 

Ya, I wash her at least twice a month. There is almost no other rust on the truck, including under the floor panels..There is no way a 12 year old frame should be rotting off a suv except defective materials,design or craftsmanship...I've worked as a mechanic since 1991 and owned close to 100 different cars/trucks/motorcycles some older than me and have never seen this kind of failure is such a short time....

 

like i said, the tacoma/tundras had this issue and there was something wrong with the coating on the frame, causing premature rot. otherwise i don't know what could be causing it

 

the front crossmember is nasty. Mine isn't in great shape either, common spot

 

the tacoma 05+ and the 4runner 03-09 have the exact same frame along with the FJ Cruiser and the lexus gx470..they are all toyota 120 platform.....

 

There is something to be said for the chemicals we are putting on the roads these days. I know for a fact that here in Ohio, the Brine Solution they use prior to a snow storm is mixed with beet juice to help it stick to the roads and as a result your vehicles. I know NH prides themselves in using Sand as much as possible, but there is a fair amount of road salt and other crap that gets put down on the roads anymore. While it is expected for vehicles to last through these treatments, it is hard to do so when they are increasing the strength and formula's as they find cheaper and more cost effective (often with harsher ingredients) to keep the ice and snow off the roads.

If you think 4Runner's are the only vehicle experiencing this, I challenge you to go to any salvage yard. Nissan's, Dodge, toyota, ford, GM. they all suffer. As an employee at a nationwide dealership that deals with used cars, the 2011 Ram from Cleveland that we kicked to Auction status because of holes and perforated rust along it's entire rear section of the frame is a prime example.

It sucks for sure man. Try to have new metal welded in if possible.

 

Ummm no. I wish. The Tacoma is not a 120 deal - not even rated as a real 'truck frame' internally with Toyota. Now the Hilux on the other hand it is a truck frame will fully boxed rails. I love Toyota and their products but the Tacoma is for those that want to haul a small push lawn mower or are willing to make some modifications.

 

Hall?? LOL Are you trying to say haul???? It is indeed a 120.... The toyota apologist on this page make me laugh....