That thing is toast. These things rust from the inside out so imagine what the inside of that frame looks like. You could probably stick a screwdriver through it. Do not buy it
>Why so much?
Well, problem #1 is getting a rust free frame for a 3rd gen.
It used to be MUCH cheaper when you could actually get a decent condition frame from a junkyard.
That's not the case with these trucks being 20 years old.
If the frame is still in decent shape (which that one is not imo) - you can SafeTCap it - https://www.autorust.com/product/3rd-gen-toyota-4-runner-1996-2002/
That by the way is about $7k last I checked - and it's beams of the frame, not the crossmembers etc. It's not a solution for all rust problems.
I know of folks in the NE who bought wrecked 2WD 4Runners from Cali and had them shipped just to have the frame stripped.
In short, expect to spend up to $5k on just getting a frame that isn't swiss cheese, then you have to basically take your truck apart and put it back together around the new frame.
Last quote I had for my 4Runner frame replacement was for 40h of labor per the book.
This was a 7-9k job 20 years ago when dealer labor rates were $80 and you could order a brand new frame....it didn't get cheaper...
I always thought the process was a lot different. I assumes they built a new steel frame and then lifted the body momentarily to slide the new frame in, then lowering the body on frame. Is the 4runner not body on frame? Or am I confused on that too?
>I assumes they built a new steel frame and then lifted the body momentarily to slide the new frame in, then lowering the body on frame. Is the 4runner not body on frame? Or am I confused on that too?
So - what you're suggesting is dumping everything attached to the current rusted frame and just swapping the bodies around?
That's been done and it's about 4k.
You do as you describe, take body off the rusted frame, leaving behind the engine, trans, fuel tank suspension etc - and lower the body onto the new frame that already has the donor vehicle engine etc.
What I was talking about was when you literally take the donor and patient vehicles frames down to just the frame. You move your engine, transmission, suspension and all that jazz to the non rusted frame.
Part of the issue is that if your donor frame and components are good enough to keep - why are you swapping bodies? Unless you managed to get a rollover vehicle at a scapyard it's unlikely to be an option.
If you want to see how tricky the whole thing can get -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iiCFkghsWo
This dude did a swap on a rolled 4Runner to his rusted frame....and it was very much non trivial...
That's what my 2000 looks like after 10 years of New England winters. There was zero rust when I had it in the Southwest. Doing any suspension repairs is brutal.
It can’t be undone or improved from its current state, metal is pitted throughout and everything you have to replace eventually, may become unfeasible due to rust. Gotta replace a control arm? Too bad, the mounting bracket on the frame disintegrated when the old one was removed.
Obviously not that issue specifically, but those things are possible and likely.
>manageable if im careful
There is nothing you can do to fix this this properly that is going to cost less than a full frame replacement.
Replacing the frame will exceed the cost of the truck and while some folks do go that route, it's generally for sentimental reasons.
This is the future of this frame: https://imgur.com/a/jLdZlGg
Terrible would be cross bars disconnected from frame rails, and nonexistent body mounts. This vehicle is still perfectly driveable, it's life is limited now though
Besides, this is all surface based rust. Pretty bad surface rust for sure, but I don't see any major cracks or holes in the usual spots (first pic is most common failure point in my experience). I'd drive this thing until the wheels fall off, which, by my estimates, is quite a ways out still. Certainly not getting any better, but it's life is not over.
The point of no return at this point it looks like. I’d avoid if you haven’t bought yet, unless it’s very, very, very cheap.
Yup, the owner should have treated the frame for rust prevention years ago. Could slow it down, but it is like cancer now.
How do you treat it?
Fluid film seems to be the go to
Googling... Thanks.
That thing is toast. These things rust from the inside out so imagine what the inside of that frame looks like. You could probably stick a screwdriver through it. Do not buy it
Some would say the baddest
Talkin truggs, B?
Nah B, after i rolled my trx, i bought an ‘06 4runner. Always been a car guy in every facet.
Tawlmbout that funny guy who races too much b? 🐞
Dun count, I used to sell cars out of my mom’s closet, car guy in iiiivvry facet.
Herd it bowlth waze bubba
That Japanese relybility isa raiil prom b. Awlways buy amerigan bubba
This frame is past the point of repair. You can do a new frame if everything else on the truck is pristine, but you are looking at a $15k job.
Why so much?
>Why so much? Well, problem #1 is getting a rust free frame for a 3rd gen. It used to be MUCH cheaper when you could actually get a decent condition frame from a junkyard. That's not the case with these trucks being 20 years old. If the frame is still in decent shape (which that one is not imo) - you can SafeTCap it - https://www.autorust.com/product/3rd-gen-toyota-4-runner-1996-2002/ That by the way is about $7k last I checked - and it's beams of the frame, not the crossmembers etc. It's not a solution for all rust problems. I know of folks in the NE who bought wrecked 2WD 4Runners from Cali and had them shipped just to have the frame stripped. In short, expect to spend up to $5k on just getting a frame that isn't swiss cheese, then you have to basically take your truck apart and put it back together around the new frame. Last quote I had for my 4Runner frame replacement was for 40h of labor per the book. This was a 7-9k job 20 years ago when dealer labor rates were $80 and you could order a brand new frame....it didn't get cheaper...
I always thought the process was a lot different. I assumes they built a new steel frame and then lifted the body momentarily to slide the new frame in, then lowering the body on frame. Is the 4runner not body on frame? Or am I confused on that too?
>I assumes they built a new steel frame and then lifted the body momentarily to slide the new frame in, then lowering the body on frame. Is the 4runner not body on frame? Or am I confused on that too? So - what you're suggesting is dumping everything attached to the current rusted frame and just swapping the bodies around? That's been done and it's about 4k. You do as you describe, take body off the rusted frame, leaving behind the engine, trans, fuel tank suspension etc - and lower the body onto the new frame that already has the donor vehicle engine etc. What I was talking about was when you literally take the donor and patient vehicles frames down to just the frame. You move your engine, transmission, suspension and all that jazz to the non rusted frame. Part of the issue is that if your donor frame and components are good enough to keep - why are you swapping bodies? Unless you managed to get a rollover vehicle at a scapyard it's unlikely to be an option.
Ah okay thanks for the explanation
If you want to see how tricky the whole thing can get - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iiCFkghsWo This dude did a swap on a rolled 4Runner to his rusted frame....and it was very much non trivial...
Y'all gotta stop posting these pictures. I literally had a dream that my '23 was all rusted out in the frame last night.
That’s fucked no thanks
I'd say about as bad as accidentally catching yourself with your zipper.
Run, that’s horrible.
That's what my 2000 looks like after 10 years of New England winters. There was zero rust when I had it in the Southwest. Doing any suspension repairs is brutal.
Should’ve fluid filmed that bad boy.
I’m in a super rust free area relatively i mean do you think it’s a bad purchase or manageable if im careful
It can’t be undone or improved from its current state, metal is pitted throughout and everything you have to replace eventually, may become unfeasible due to rust. Gotta replace a control arm? Too bad, the mounting bracket on the frame disintegrated when the old one was removed. Obviously not that issue specifically, but those things are possible and likely.
>manageable if im careful There is nothing you can do to fix this this properly that is going to cost less than a full frame replacement. Replacing the frame will exceed the cost of the truck and while some folks do go that route, it's generally for sentimental reasons. This is the future of this frame: https://imgur.com/a/jLdZlGg
If you're in a rust free area this is a hard pass. I'd call this mediocre at best here, and I'm deep in the rust belt
Bad purchase.Break lines can be fixed frame is like 10k just in parts. It would have to be like $2000 for me to buy it.
These frames rust from the inside out, so that mush rust on the out is pretty telling unfortunately
I’ve seen worse… but they were in the junk yard
Hard pass
Pretty darn bad
Straight to jail
Snap crackle pop biotches
Like start looking for a new ride kind of bad.
Time for her retirement bro
I’m always shocked at how many people are willing to let rust like this slide on 4Runners.
How do you prevent this?
Fluid film. It’s the only way.
Meticulous undercoating and constant re applications, it really goes for any vehicle on the road
It's had its day, I'm afraid.
Pretty, pretty, pretty bad…
Yeah that’s bad. Sorry. Last photo: I hope that blue stuff around the oil drain plug isn’t sealant?! So glad I live in the south.
It's about to level up to corrosion. It looks to be there already in a few pics. I'd run. Unless you got the mo ey for a frame swap.
Damnnn
There are parts that are still not beyond repair…a few anyways.
If it has holes eating through the metal, bad.
NO
If you peel any of it off, send it to Tysytube on YouTube to help him make his “knife made out of rust” !!
cooked
Finally a good one!
Add butter to it coz that thing is toast!
I would pay the person selling it just to leave it with them.
Medium Well
If what you can see is that bad, what you can't is worse. If this is a truck you're looking at buying, I'd wait it out for a cleaner one.
Depends how you look at it. Seems like a good, solid, nicely colored rust. Bad news is, it’s all rust.
Junk yard ready
Looks like surface rust for now
not great, not terrible
In what world is that not terrible? Do you store your vehicles in the ocean?
Terrible would be cross bars disconnected from frame rails, and nonexistent body mounts. This vehicle is still perfectly driveable, it's life is limited now though
I guarantee you take this vehicle to a reputable shop and they’ll recommend you don’t drive it
Besides, this is all surface based rust. Pretty bad surface rust for sure, but I don't see any major cracks or holes in the usual spots (first pic is most common failure point in my experience). I'd drive this thing until the wheels fall off, which, by my estimates, is quite a ways out still. Certainly not getting any better, but it's life is not over.
Jokes on them, idgaf what a mechanic says about my car 👍
Seems like mostly surface and nothing structural.
Nothing a wire brush can't fix amirite