?s about rust on 3rd gen

I’m thinking of buying this 2002 sr5 sport and I just don’t know if this rust looks really bad or about normal. Everything else looks great on it and I do know it’s 20 yrs old and won’t be perfect

Would this rust stop you from buying it?

 

Unless you are skilled at removing said rust or you can get one hell of a deal, I would pass. But that is me. The rust will only get worse if not fixed.

 

It’s 3k with 1k worth new tires and wheels.

 

Still, even at that price, it's iffy.

That's some bad rust on the frame members underneath. Even if it get's removed, like by sand blasting, it may well weaken the frame enough, you may then need to have some steel welded on to reinforce it, or even repair it. And what about what might be on the inside of all those square frame pieces. NOT easy to find, and especially treat.
That Ujoint you show will definitely need replacement.

Even if you're a good welder, and do all the cutting and welding of the bad frame pieces yourself, it still needs sand blasting, and that can cost you a pretty penny. Then, the frame will need to be treated to prevent the rust from coming back. Sealed somehow. Again, even if you do it yourself, not a cheap proposition.

At a minimum, I'd guess all the work it needs will double the price you're paying for it. At a minimum.

I'd leave it, and go on to the next possibility. IF it were me.
All just my opinion, through...
Pat☺

 

Thanks I appreciate it. Buying fun car is a nightmare in Chicago. So much salt and pot holes and people just not ever taking care of there vehicles makes it tough

 

How many miles?

 

unless you'll getting it for a song, pass on this...

 

Look thru cargurus.com or even ebay for southern cars. You may have to travel to find a good one.

 

You will need to go through the car from front to back and make note on what rust needs to be cutout and replaced. Budget for this. Probably $2k in rust repair. Now the rig has cost you $5k.

Then you will need to pay for fluid film treatments every year just to try and keep the rust slowed down as much as possible.

Better is to pass and find one in the southern states.

 

I don’t like the looks of that door but the underside don’t look so bad to me. I would make an offer if I was looking for a a 3rd.

 

UNLESS you are getting it for a song, again, pass..and go look for a vehicle from down south, or towards Arizona...etc