Is this rust too much?

Hello! I am looking to buy a 4runner 2005 with 230,000 miles. It has a clean carfax, no accidents, and oil change every 4-5k miles. It has always been registered in the State of Illinois. I went to see it and I was wondering what are your opinions on this amount of rust? I’m mostly concerned by the rust seen on the engine bay (I’d say under the block). Any thoughts? Asking price is $8,000

 

Looks surface level to me

 

That doesn’t look bad at all

 

looks clean..compared to others that were posted..

 

I don't see much on the frame. But offer $6k and see what they say! Good luck!

 

The under the block you refer to is the exhaust manifolds. They turn rust colour like that because they’re cast

 

I didn’t know that. You always learn something new! Thanks!! You’d say there’s not much to worry about regarding rust then?

 

There is no rust pretty much.

 

I’m from Ohio bro that thing is rust free

 

That's not very bad rust.

 

given the age, it looks good

 

Thanks for all your answers!! I will be going tomorrow to take a better look to the car. Something I noticed is that there’s some oil/fluid somewhere around the frame. Any thoughts on what this could be? Picture is attached.

Thank you guys!! Hopefully I am a 4Runner owner soon.

 

That appears to be the transfer case/transmission cross member. But the oil appears to be coming from in front of the vehicle. It would require closer inspection.

 

If you decide to get it, coat it with some POR 15. I just did my undercarriage and its holding up pretty well. It is supposed to stop rust. Although it is known that you can't stop the rust from forming from the inside of the frame due to water and mud getting in through the frame holes.

 

That thing looks just fine!! If it's a 4x4 you should jump on it. $8k is a great price really (esp. if 4x4), but try and get it lower any way possible. You won't be disappointed.

 

Is that a suspect head gasket year?

 

What do you mean by that? The car is 2005.

 

Coming from Chicago, that frame is “Mint” with a cherry on top!

 

In the middle of the 4th gen life cycle Toyota changed the head gasket design, thereby making it harder on us shoppers when we have to replace the gasket when they inevitably fail. 2005 was the year they introduced VVTI, but I dont think the head gasket change was linked... idk someone might have to correct me there.

Also OP the thing @Northern 4runner alludes to are the very surface rusted exhaust manifolds. While the rust mightve not eaten through the metal yet, theyre cast iron, and they WILL fail, just a matter of when. Not a terrible job to do yourself if youre handy, but kind of a bummer. Food for thought

 

very clean....

 

Just make sure it is not like this…
https://youtu.be/Dxv588ZAP3c

 

I’m officially an owner of a Toyota 4Runner 2005. Time to travel with this baby!

 

Congratulations! That looks like a clean 4runner!

get that frame treated with fluid film, or if you live in a winter free state maybe por15 paint

 

Really clean, congrats!

 

Thanks!! I live in Missouri close to St. Louis. We honestly get snow one time every couple of months so i’m not to worried about the winter here. I will however be taking it to apply fluid film all around her to keep it in good shape.

Thanks to everyone who answered and helped me!

 

So when exactly did Toyota go to the new head gasket design ??

 

Congrats !

What did you pay for it after all ?

 

Krown in St. Louis did mine. Very reasonable price for the labor involved. They have my recommendation. Chill out in their lobby and let them take care of it. They have CCTV so you can watch what is going on.

 

This is the most involved and thorough outline of V6 headgasket issues i know of, as well as stipulating the new headgasket design started being implemented about August 2005 through November 2005, anything after that should be the new version.

 

Not to hi-jack this post but I would appreciate an opinion on the 4runner I am about to purchase.

Truck is a 2005 v8 sport edition w/ 160000 miles. Mechanically sound and checks out with local mechanics. Rust tho…