rusty roof seam

Hi, I recently bought a 2000 SR5 and I was so pleased it didn't have any frame rust at all. But I just noticed this patched area between the rear door and side window on the driver's side (see pics). The passenger side of this same area looks like a huge, poorly done bondo patch. I also noticed cracks in the paint near the front corner and rear corner which need further investigation.

Has anybody seen this before? Is the roof seam welded or spot welded?

Thanks in advance for any helpful comments.

 

I'm pretty sure that looks like a replacement roof. What did the CarFax say when you checked it before you bought the car?

No way is the Japanese factory releasing a car with a bondo patch.

 

I think you nailed it with the patch idea. The Carfax is ugly, but nothing about a roof replacement or rollover. Maybe done on the sly, pretty much how I'll do it again. Fortunately, I bought the truck real cheap and can spend on repairs without getting crazy.

 

I don't think there are factory welds in those areas (but not totally sure). And since you're seeing it on the A B and C pillars, I'm pretty sure she got a roof swap. A halfway decent body shop would need to be involved as it's complicated to get even close to correct. But then the bad bondo work makes you go "hmmmmm".

If everything seems to fit and all the doors close perfectly, I have no problem with it except for the bondo patch. You could try pulling the metal out or talking with a body shop to repair it. I'd probably wait until I wanted a whole respray and have it done at once with a good shop.

When cars are brand new, craaaazy repairs are done so that insurance doesn't eat the entire cost of a new car. You may be looking at such a thing.