Is this thing dead or what?

Hi and thank you in advance. I think I know the answer already but here goes nothing...

Pulled out of a parking spot and BANG, with associated grinding coming from right front. Limped home and was going to take wheel off but saw right away what was going on just from looking under the front. The frame rotted away where the lower control arm attaches.

The rest of the frame is not that bad. Some surface rust that I've been painting with corroseal and eastman interior frame paint.

But this IS bad. Is there any way to repair this? I do have a buddy who is a professional welder.

 

That does not look good at all. You will need to get that completed restored which will require some custom metal fabrication. I have not idea what that would cost but to get it done right might depends on what the value of the vehicle is in the first place.

 

This is advanced cancer in my opinion. Right thru the bone I think.

 

I was a welder for about 8 years and have fixed several 4 runner frames. Just from that picture i wouldn't touch it too much liability in whoever attempts to fix it. Best bet would be cut the IFS out and put a solid axle under it.

 

You were very lucky to make it home without having an accident!!

I'm guessing you have more than just "some surface rust" on the rest of the frame, these frames rust from the inside out, so there a lot more rust there than what you're seeing on the outside of the frame!

Time for either a new frame or another T4R, no way to fix that so it's dependable and safe without replacing the entire front section of the frame and that would be more work even if you could find someone willing to do it than just replacing the entire frame, either way it's going to cost minimum of $3000 to $4000 to get it fixed...IF you can find a donor rust free frame!!

Sorry for your bad luck.

 

Junkyard

 

oh jeez, that’s horrible. Honestly, I’m surprised since the rust doesnt seem to be that bad in the pics. But I dont know how those mounts looked when they were still attached.

BRILLIANT!!!!

 

That’s awful man how many miles do you have on it?

This type of stuff should never happen.

 

Yikes! Glad this didn't happen at 70mph.

Even if you could fix it, what's next? If it was that bad there, it's probably bad in other places as well. As someone else said, they rot from the inside out, you may have more cancer you can't see.

Part out.

Also, all these posts lately make me want to get rid of mine. Toyota should put a shelf life on them, haha.

 

Yeah you know really how long can you use these for under normal circumstances? I am the rare exception and able to store mine and have fluid filmed never see winter. Obviously most people can’t and don’t want to do this.

I see frames on mid size new pickups rusting like rangers and Colorado’s and obviously tacos had issues.

This has to be a manufacturer liability. I vaguely recall a post on here by someone with a law firm to contact about this stuff for 4R

 

Unfortunately, I think that is terminal. Like others have said, even if you manage to fix that, there is likely a lot more where that came from.

 

That's scary, I am glad you got home safe. my bet is that it was overcoated with rust inside hidden. Ate inside out, you should take a look at whole frame make sure nothing like that happens elsewhere.

 

All I can say is, thank God I live in the south. I really feel for those of you who have to deal with this.

 

Yup that’s why you see all those northern plates headed south for winter when we retire good Lord willing.

 

Don't say. Every time I drive, my ears are listening for my frame, ensuring nothing is breaking off it. I inspect it every day after each drive.

 

Solid axle swap

 

Sorry, we're full.