Rust Rating

Hey 4Runners! First post. I've found a great deal on a '99 4R Limited (with the locking diff and everything!), but I'm not very good at mechanical stuff so I need some help deciding if this frame is solid. The seller has told me that the passenger rocker panel is rusted through and needs to be repaired, but the rest of the body and frame looks super solid. What do you think?

https://imgur.com/a/mgDjnlu

 

Garbage. Hard pass. It’s been coated multiple times with what looks like something similar to Zeibart. Probably falling apart under that coating.

Unless you are planning on doing a DIY frame replacement.

 

Thanks jdevtac! I'll pass

 

It’s a hard thing with 3rd gens, especially if the body and interior is in great condition but it’s got a bum frame. Most of the best preserved examples are going to be west/southwest.

 

Smart to pass. I'd want to bang hard with a hammer on every square inch of that frame before even considering it.

 

Those pics, the frame doesn't look bad at all!!! The frame and crossmembers look solid. Fuel tank skid is rusted, no big deal. Look at the front crossmember, if that looks clean you'll probably be alright.

Poke a finger in the access holes on the frame and crossmembers, see if you feel rust flakes. That doesn't look bad at all from those pics.

 

Thanks for your input everyone! This forum has been super helpful in my search. I bought a T4R today! A 2002 Limited, with the diff lock and everything, 300k km for $4700 Canadian (that's like 200k miles for $3500 USD). It lived most of its life on the West Coast, so the frame and body are solid. Every single electronic and feature works. I think I did good. Here are a couple pics: https://imgur.com/a/N24hzLg

Thanks again! I'm excited to join the T4R club.

 

Frame looks fine!

If the frame were in bad shape it would show in other areas like the gas tank skid, rear axle, and cross members.

Mike