1996 4Runner Limited 4x4, would you buy this?

Hey guys, I think I have a pretty decent deal here. Clean carfax, history of living in Utah. 190k on the odometer, $7500 smackaroos.

The leather is in great shape except for the drivers seat. Pretty typical. Other than that the interior is very clean. The only thing that has me hesitant is the rust. Mainly on the rear axle and strut towers.

I gave the rust some really good pokes with a screw driver and it all feels solid.

I would sand and apply some POR15.

What do yall think?

 

Better looking than mine.

 

That looks better than my 2013 did when I got it.

If from those pictures, to me, it just like surface rust. These are very prone to rusting around all the weld seams.

One place to check if you're really concerned is up around the spare tire. I looked at one that looked pretty decent, until I looked at those areas, that's where it was rotten.

 

Yes but you will need some welding on that frame if not now very soon. It took me 2 days to wire brush and grind wheel b4 treating it

 

$7500? Buy it.

Do you have access to the maintenance records, especially the timing belt?

 

I did all that day one. Main , cam , valve covers and plugs, wires, and many vac hoses. The last timing belt sticker was 57k I got it with 235k old belt didn't look bad at all.. entire front suspension including diff bushings are done. Entire rear bushings done. Need to change all fluids. Oh yeah entire new ac system inside and out. I know I'm forgetting something. It runs and drives awesome.. rear led and front with 240 watt spots on it.

 

I am looking for another 3rd gen if you find good frame like he said buy it. These will only go up in value.

 

That does not look bad as for Rust I just don't see anything that would need "Welding on the Frame" in those pictures the only up front concerns I see are if and when the timing belt done with replacing the water pump, and a very typical item overlooked until it is too late is the Spare tire make sure that you can lower it down before you really need it and it won't come down.

Also the Hose hanging loose at the real Axle get that put back up secure because if you hit snow and Ice it just might pull down.

As for the Rust on the Rear Axle unless you want it "pretty" not much to worry about and the same for the strut towers..... Just put a mask on and wire brush it clean and POR-15 will make it acceptable Just use the POR Primmer First. Also Don't Paint the Rear end drain plug or Fill plug work your way around any nuts and bolts for things like shocks because POR-15 Will make it even harder to get apart.