5th Gen Rust

Install Zinc Anodes?

 

What is a rust module?

 

It’s like something they bolt on bridges and submarines to slow rust. (Not stop rust). It’s a metallurgical approach that sends a charge through the steel so that it all has the same polarity. ( or something like that, haha don’t laugh, look it up). Does it work? Well, the warranty works.

 

Yeah, in theory I can see that working to a degree.

 

Yeah it’s science not voodoo but I’m not a ideologue about it yet. Hope springs eternal when you live in a snow belt, haha

 

I own a 2005 4runner, live in the Bahamas, and have 150,000 miles on the truck, and there is absolutely no rust on the painted upper body. I had a 10 year old GMC JIMMY I bought in 1995 (new), and in ten years the body and frame had rust everywhere - almost breaking the rear hatch.

I understand WHY NOONE WOULD WANT TO OWN ANYTHING BUT Toyota.

What is a rust module?

 

Wire wheel brush, Prep and degrease, primer (preferably with rust converter/inhibitor) and frame spray paint should take care most of it since it isn't bad. Just don't paint over rust. Easy 1/2 day project. G.L.

 

Soak the undercarriage with Fluid Film...

 

It’s a little electronic device that sends a minute charge through the metal parts of the vehicle. Used on bridges, skyscrapers and battleships around the world. It was part of my 10 year Toyota rust protection warranty. One can argue the efficacy of the device, but it was the warranty I wanted. Not that I will ever keep this vehicle that long, but it makes it much easier to sell when the time comes, that it has a anti rust warranty from the manufacturer that is transferable.

 

How bad is this rust? Looking to buy - 2018, 26k miles. Original owner purchased in North Dakota. Now in Colorado.@oldtoyotaguy or any other inputs are much appreciated! Thanks

 

That looks fine to me. Power wash the undercarriage, POR 15 the welds and then apply fluid film.

 

Sorry for the rust issues. It’s similar with salt and snow in Michigan winters. Every vehicle I own I take to a quarter car wash and spray the whole under bottom in winter. I am getting older now it’s much more difficult. All my stuff is hand washed with buckets from home too.

I have not got rustproofing in many years with no issue with my washing. When I get my new 4R which will not go out in winter I am debating getting rust proofed. If I do I need to find a reputable place. Ugh. Not sure if that will mess up anything either

 

I have a 1997 F-350 7.3 power stroke. I keep it clean underneath and just rattle can the frame and axles etc. I have kept it looking good for a long time just taking a couple hours every summer and painting it up.

 

Sorry I missed this earlier. It basically looks my 2018 ORP, which lives in the worst salt, sand, brine, snow, ice conditions that you will find anywhere in Canada. I’m in a snow belt in central Ontario just west of Lake Huron, which gets a lot of lake effect snow. We have roads closed here on a regular basis over most winters. Full disclosure: I rarely rustproof or do anything to my vehicles other than religious coin wash spraying to keep as much crud off the chassis as possible. As soon as I buy a new vehicle, I start saving for the next one, and in 4 or 5 years when I have enough saved for what I want, I sell my vehicles. It works for me. I don’t like adding loan interest to the already high cost of buying a vehicle. But having said that, I actually had my 4 Runner sprayed with fluid film by a technician who is part of the Toyota 4x4 community, and who works at a great independent reputable shop. He spent 2 hours on it. Now, we’ll see how that goes.
As for your 4 Runner, @New4Rowner, I hope you bought it, because with only 26k miles on it, it’s like new. I might be tempted to paint the rust with por 15 and try to get it to look good for a while longer. Surface rust is no big deal, imho.

 

At this point, they need to have a law that holds dealerships accountable for selling hazardous vehicles... I purchased my 4runner and guess what? it looks pretty and shiny but once you look underneath. Man mine is way worse. We are talking about some parts of the chassis actually missing, or having huge " craters " in them, some are eaten out as if some kind of T REX with metal jaws took a huge bite off them. I am not selling it to the dealership, for this reason, I know they will cover it up and sell it to someone else.

here is 1 photo :



I have many others, as its an all-around chassis. Although mine is 2003 and yours is way newer, it seems like 4runner's Achilles heel is definitely rust. No other issues with the car whatsoever.

 

That appears to be surface rust. You can use a paint that you apply directly to the rust. Looks fine. But you do want to rinse it thoroughly to get any lingering salt off of it.

 

If you get 10 years out of a new vehicle in MA......you've done well.

 

Ah yes, just like water heater tanks…

This might be something like what that rust “module”. is supposed to do.

There is also the option of wire brushing, and painting on cold galvanizing paint over the cleaned up areas, then top painting with rustoleum. They sell pretty pure zinc paint in quarts at a lot of hardware stores. You’ll know it’s high zinc content because a quart of it weighs a ton. Expensive, but might be worth it.

Zinc will work as a sacrificial metal. Works off the electric ptotential between differnt metal types or some mumbo jumbo like that. If rust happens, it will eat the zinc, and leave the base metal alone. If the zinc rusts heavily in a few years, do it again. But in the meantime, your frame is not being consumed.

OP, if you are young, spry, and want to keep the 4runner for 20 years, you’ll have to put some work into rust control. Pay close attention to the surfaces inside the crossmembers. If you see rust, do something now, and every year. It’s like an wooden ship. Keeping it along time means you will always be doing something with it. In my opinion, 4runners are a good bet( probably the best bet)as a vehicle to choose to make your maintanance labor worthwhile.

The second a wooden ship was launched, it lived on purely off the labor of the crew… but it was worth it because of what the ships could do. Argh haha matey!!! (Pirate emoticon). Shiver me spindles!