Close Call Today

Friends - at 65mph today my well cared for 2006 4Runner started shaking violently - i went directly to the mechanic who told me the frame had snapped due to rust - they marveled I was able to drive the car. Anyone have any luck getting funds from Toyota?

 

Question for us "newer" owners...Specifically my '18 has this been addressed and fixed at all? I've done nothing for protection underneath and don't plan too. I'm not spending 40-k on a new vehicle then climbing under it to spray crap on it to stop rust c'mon Toyota! Then again I don't see myself keeping it longer than 6-8 years either. Anyway back to my original thought, are the newer years better about rusting?

 

this rust topic is beginning to concern me. I have an 18 SR5 base model(premium), and didn't know I would have to worry about rust. Live in Alabama, so we don't have many days with salt on the roads, maybe every other year if that. do I need more protection just for general purposes. I remember years ago you would "undercoat" your car primarily to cut down on road noise.

 

Not sure if it works or if you ever go through car washes but ones near me have "rust inhibitor" sprayed underneath for a few extra bucks. Probably snake oil for the most part but who knows. I don't know but I'm thinking on a 2018 it shouldn't exactly keep us awake at night. As stated if I get a trouble-free 6-8 years I'm good I'll probably be looking for something new anyway.

 

I am one that does crawl underneath to spray Fluid Film under there on a yearly basis. After two years in a high salt winter environment there is not a spec of rust under there, it looks new. I am also one who believes in taking care of my equipment no matter how long I will have it. Just always been that way and it's fun to me.

 

What particular areas do you hit with the FF?

 

Pretty much the entire undercarriage. Frame, suspension, axles, sliders, anything metal under there. I think I am going to do inside the rear fenders, maybe inside the doors, and back hatch next year. I use the stuff on a lot of things. It never dries so keep that in mind. Use it on things that you won't be touching too often.

Also, probably going to seal the inner frame rails next year with Eastwood internal frame coating. I used this stuff on my 1989 FJ62 with great results.