Rust treatment on 4th Gen 4runner

Hello, I've been reading posts on this forum for a few months now and enjoying it. I need advice for rust treatment on a 2003 4runner.

Short introduction. The original owner had this car in PA, he was the only owner, and from what I can tell he did some coating on it, as well as wielding after. However, the frame was still rusted. This is my first car ever, so lots of love goes to it and I am planning to keep it.

The issue is that winter is approaching here in NJ and it will get pretty bad I am sure. What are some of the products you guys use to remove rust from the frame and then coat it? So far I have only used sander, wire brush, some rust removal spray, and such then coated it with rust oleum products.

As you have probably noticed in the pictures, some parts of the car were long gone and were wielded before me and were done as well after I purchased it. I am looking at it now, if the chassis survives this winter, I will put more support towards it.. So I am planning to enforce it as much as I can to protect it from the salt downpour on the roads.


Any advice will be appreciated,
Thanks.

 

Hate to be the bearer of bad news here but, that frame is way beyond saving. That vehicle is not safe to drive with the frame in that condition if you ask me.

 

That frame is toast. It will need major reconstruction. Not worth it. Sell the rig for parts and start over. Sorry.

 

Yikes! Sorry man, I think that frame is beyond saving. I'm not expert, but I wouldn't feel comfortable driving that as it is. Unfortunately probably a part-out.

 

This is a disaster waiting to happen.

 

Hi all, thanks for the answers. I am planning to keep it this winter, hopefully, it survives. I was counting on the Toyota lawsuit maybe they would recall it as they did on Tacoma. The frame is as bad as it was at the start, after 9 months it still is the same. I do not want to give this car to the dealership, as they may cover it up and sell it to someone else.

Is it possible to hand it over to Toyota? or what other options are out there? Except for the frame, the car is doing fine. No codes pop up whatsoever. Also, I get 19-20 MPG overall, and the engine does not eat any oil.


Thanks,

 

Don't hold your breath waiting for a Toyota to do anything. It's been years, and they refuse to address this issue on the 4runner. I respect that you don't want to trade it into a dealer for fear of somebody else getting ripped off, that's very stand up of you.

I don't think there's any way to turn it back into Toyota, you'd have to give it to a dealer and they're probably just going to sell it or wholesale it. I would just either sell it to a scrap yard for scrap value, or sell it as is for parts, being very clear about the condition of the chassis.

 

Will see after this winter up here in NJ. It will be harsh but I will do everything I can do get it thru it. I am just driving it work / home but I am still worried about salt on the road.