Is frame rustproofing necessary in Southeast?

I live in SC. I had a Tacoma from 2016 to 2023. I did not rust proof the frame. I inspected it whenever I changed the oil. I touched up a few spots with primer and paint usually on a frame weld or around the trailer hitch. Just a faint sign of corrosion starting. The frame really looked new when I sold it. Is the rust problem mainly in areas where much road salt is used? I want to keep my new 4 Runner a long time. Getting it in a few weeks. Just wondering what the general guidance is?

 

I probably wouldnt worry about it if your tacoma looked good all those year.

Where I live, there are periods of the year where you’re driving through salty mist whenever you get on the expressway.

But if you hardly have salted roads, and you rinse it after you do, you’ll probably be fine.

 

Never hurts! I have a winter SUV and a non salty slush truck. Even though it really doesn’t get driven in the crap I still rust proof it and wash it often as I hope to keep it nice and clean looking for years to come. Also where I am they can lay so much salt that when the road drys up the vehicles kick it up and you are driving in salt dust clouds.

 

Agreed I am same way here in metro Detroit clouds of salt after the storms. As nuts as it sounds I parked my 4R with fluid film for winter and will drive my Accord in winter. Fortunately I work from home so if it’s bad weather I just don’t need to leave. I get many don’t have that option though.

I wonder how long a 4R frame lasts with fluid film and living in the Midwest salt belt. Maybe this is one advantage for the unibody’s

 

I think I would still fluid film. I have a buddy that was on here from Virgina Beach and frame rust is an issue there. He did great with a Tacoma and fluid film and did the same to a new 4R. Apparently flooding and salt water wash on roads is big issue down there.

I would think salt and humidity are the culprits for all of us regardless of what state.

For the money we spent on these I would fluid film and wax regularly if you have that salt air

 

whoops sorry McSpaztron meant to direct to the OP

 

My mothers 2019 still looks new underneath and was not sprayed every year. My Tahoe still looks pretty good for a 2001 that didn’t get sprayed until 2015 and was a WNY vehicle it’s whole life but not driven much until I purchased. My winter drive way queen is my new 2022 ram. I know they like to rust (everything does these days) but i wish to hold on to it if they ditch the hemi in the pick ups. We didn’t have a terrible winter here this year in Buffalo, 2-3 snow fall events that dropped a lot and a blizzard for the first time in my life. Picked my truck up 11/2/22 and have 1100 on it so far so I got to enjoy it some before it sat for a bit.

 

My father has a 09 Silverado that only has 60,000 miles on it I believe and drives my mothers vehicle on most shitty days, he Parks on the grass in the summer and in the garage in the winter doesn’t see much salt and it got rusted up pretty bad…I think the humidity might have played a roll or maybe the factory did a bad job that year since that was the Obama bailout time.

 

I looked at new GMC Canyon frames last summer on the lot and they had more rust starting on them near the drain holes vs the new 4Runner rust weld spots. It’s really something.

in years past I saw so many new frames for Tacoma’s at the Toyota dealer by me too for the recall. There was always a new frame sitting outback waiting for the next customer.

The only other full frame vehicle I had before the 4R was a 90s explorer. I had the old school rust proof put on that and kept in garage in winter so thankfully never an issue.

 

A lot of folks in that area also drive on the beaches on the NC Outer Banks.

 

It’s completely unnecessary.

 

Can you effectively fluid film from their spray cans? Including spraying inside some frame holes? Does it drip off and get on garage floor badly? I don’t have a lift but driving up on ramps and removing skids and spare tire I think I can get decent coverage. I have seen Utubes where moisture gets trapped above spare and causing issues.

 

I think it can be done if you don’t spray like crazy. I had someone do my who frame on a lift at a detail shop.

But I have done my trailer hitch, inside of wheels myself with wax applicator pads. I also put some on the rivets of gas cap door as those rust also and just used a q tip

I spray it on my snow shovels also to make it easier for snow to come off. As long as I don’t spray excessively nothing “drips off”. I am careful to keep my driveway clean also so I get it. I would probably just keep a sheet of cardboard just in case.

For the amount you’re spraying I would wear a N95 mask. I do it outside but if in a garage I would keep door open too. Just my two cents

 

I have 2 respirators and yes I would do outside. Prob put down cardboard as you suggested. I figured wear clothes you don’t mind throwing away too

 

Yeah maybe wear some goggles too just in case. They sell some tubes online you can push into the frame to spray the inside also. That’s critical since these rust from inside out.

 

I am in the Virginia Beach area as well, but like to travel to other areas more snow/salt on roads, so just looking to be preventative. Has anyone have any feedback on Valugard. I have been reading about Fluid film/Krown and a couple others but the local shop here uses Valugard? Appreciate any feedback.

 

You can undercoat with the Wool Wax/Fluid Film cans. It is not efficient or cost effective but then again if you do not have a device for application and do not plan to do it often then its a moot point. I will add that the 24" spray wand that you can use for the internal areas of the frame and pops onto the aerosol can leaks like mad between the button and the can with a lot of product wasted.

Also try this for easier application if going the aerosol route and remember to stick the cans in hot water before application.

$7 Can-Gun1 2012 Premium Can Tool Aerosol Spray

https://www.amazon.com/Can-Gun1-201...679301553&sprefix=spray+can+tr,aps,165&sr=8-3

 

My wife's 2010 just rolled over 350k and the frame looks no worse for wear than my 2013 with 118k. Neither have rust and both vehicles were GA vehicles the whole time (both previous and me). We're lucky to get 1 salting a year if that here in GA though. If I saw some small spots of surface rust on the frame I'd probably just hit the spot with a red scotch bright pad, wipe down with brake cleaner, then spray with some Rustoleum Rust-Reformer or some POR15, and call it a day.

 

Fluid film is great so I hear . Even here in salty pa. But I've never used the stuff. I pressure wash the frame atleast once a month. My tacomas frame looked great when I sold it, so ill continue to do the same with the 4r. If I didn't wash it as much as I do, I'd definitely fluid film.

 

So frame rust has been a know problem for many years through 3 generations (or more) of T4Rs, has Toyota done anything in the way of modification to inhibit rust on the frame. Any even small changes? Is my 2022 at the same risk as say a gen2, 3, or 4? Just asking if anyone knows.

 

My gut instinct tells me we are all in the same boat. Unfortunately.

 

Nope, no changes.

 

Figured as much from reading the forum, but had to ask for affirmation. Thanks.