Looking for opinions on a 4Runner

Hello,

New member here! I'm interested in purchasing a used 4Runner as my first daily driver. I'm not the most knowledgeable when it comes to 4Runners. The vehicle I'm looking is a 4th gen from 03 and has 143k miles. The service history of the vehicle looks like it fairly well maintained. I asked the seller to take pictures of underneath the vehicle and that's when I noticed the vehicle has rusting going on.

I've included every photo I was provided with of underneath the vehicle but I'm not sure if this is in bad condition to consider. What are your thoughts/opinions?

 

Based on the 4th picture this one would be a hard pass for me.

 

I second what @UofLCardfan77 said. Unless you want something that will fall apart on you or will require you to rebuild the entire frame.

 

That thing is toast, the seller shouldn't even in good conscious be selling that thing.

 

Run, don't walk, away from that deal.

 

My friend got one of those for free. It had a new motor but the 4WD crunched.

 

I thought it was ok until pic #4. That's stage 4 cancer of the car world. Stay clear!

 

Welcome from Wisconsin! The 4th picture is telling you the story, don't do it.

 

Welcome from another Wisconsin guy.

RUN AWAY!

 

Same! First few pictures looked mint.

 

Thank you so much for welcoming me and for all the replies! I'll continue the hunt.

 

For future reference, where do rust spots normally occur? Does each gen have different rusts spots or is it generally in the same area for every gen?

 

Welcome but keep looking.

 

I just always look at the frame, if it has rust rot anywhere on the frame(picture 4), its not worth it

Op where are you from

 

I'm from NJ!

I'm 100% running away from the vehicle. If this car didn't have the rust rot shown in picture #4, would this be a decent purchase? Also, how does picture #5 look?

 

Picture #4 shows the frame rotted through. Picture #5 shows there are more places that probably mean more internal frame rust, and are well on their way to ending up like the frame in #4.

 

Makes sense. The seller was trying to charge $10,000 LOL

 

Agree with others on pic #4, but you might want to thank the seller for being straightforward with the photos. He (she) deliberately made sure to send you the ugliest pic. That's commendable.

 

100%. I thanked the seller for the detailed pictures. I'd much rather an upfront seller who doesn't try to hide things

 

The sad fact is, if you're looking in the Northeast, chances are most of them are going to look like this.

When looking at an older Toyota 4x4 in the salt belt, one has to assume there's rust.

I gave up trying to find a clean 3rd gen in RI, I ended up going with a 5th gen.

 

Rust, rust and more rust!!! I echo everyone else's opinion's, sprint away before you rust with this one.

 

I'd love a 5th generation 4Runner but the thing is this would be my first vehicle. I noticed that once you get into the 4th gens the prices really start creeping up. I haven't had any luck finding a 5th generation for under $20k that doesn't have 150K+ miles on it. On the other hand though, it seems like this type of vehicle is very reliable.

 

Thanks for the insight. I'm 100% going to stay away.

 

Being from NY the first few pictures had me asking what Rust, and then #4 came to my eye. As all the others, done.

 

The picture with the rust-through shows the area that gets wet with AC condenser run-off water. Mix in salt that never gets washed off, and that becomes a spot that needs to be inspected carefully.

Another spot is the cross brace under the radiator. I’ve seen pics of that spot that essentially show it can turn into powder.

If you look at a KDSS version, removal of the kdss accumulator cover to look for corrosion is extremely important (midway down the drivers side frame rail.

 

I'd tell the Seller give me $50 I'll take it away for you

 

That’s when the steel was being used for something else. Prob Japanese space ships or the ability to live underwater. I’m pretty sure they have already landed on Mars just didn’t tell anyone.

 

Thank you so much for the detailed explanation! Is there anything that can be used to help with avoiding rust?

 

A nice oil / fluid based treatment yearly. The place that does mine gets it in all the doors, panels, and coats the underbody / frame very well. They guarantee no rust for life and if it rusts they fix it on there dime. Worth the $160 in my eyes.

 

good cleaning and keeping close eye on any potential rust..is what I do every year