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2014 4Runner: Rust by radiator/front tow hooks?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Kai4R, Jul 4, 2020.

  1. Jul 4, 2020 at 6:15 PM
    #1
    Kai4R

    Kai4R [OP] New Member

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    Hey guys I am new to the 4Runner community but wanted to know if any of you have experienced rust below the radiator/front tow hooks? I submitted a complaint with the NHTSA today because the rust is excessive. I will provide some pictures. IMG_1673.jpg IMG_1676.jpg IMG_1684.jpg IMG_1685.jpg IMG_1687.jpg
     
  2. Jul 5, 2020 at 1:28 AM
    #2
    fixer5000

    fixer5000 the logical one

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    no plans
    salt water??
     
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  3. Jul 5, 2020 at 2:41 AM
    #3
    Kai4R

    Kai4R [OP] New Member

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    Don’t think salt water was the cause. I live up in the country side and barely go to the beach. There was this soft foam piece that seems like the culprit. Peeling the foam back uncovered the rust. Wondering if others have this issue.
     
  4. Jul 5, 2020 at 5:20 AM
    #4
    newtotoyota

    newtotoyota New Member

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    Blacked out grill and rear emblem. More on the way!
    I'll crawl under mine later today and report back
     
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  5. Jul 8, 2020 at 8:05 AM
    #5
    Ramrod88

    Ramrod88 4Runner on Corolla budget

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    I had a very small amount in the same spot right under the useless foam piece. No where near like this one though bud im sure if I hadn't found it, it would've progressed to that. I grinded it with a wire wheel on a Dremel and coated it with crc heavy duty corrosion inhibitor and pulled all the foam out. Is there any real benefit from the foam other than holding moisture? Also im in New Orleans and the vehicle has never been in salt in the 3 years I've had it
     
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  6. Jul 8, 2020 at 12:44 PM
    #6
    Kai4R

    Kai4R [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for your input. Unfortunately I failed to notice the useless foam piece only after I installed a lift kit. At that point, it was corroded away as you have seen in the pictures. I am glad to hear that you caught this in time to prevent any further damage. I hope Toyota can help me solve this issue. As of right now there aren’t any recalls on the frames rusting only on previous Tacoma models.
     
  7. Jul 8, 2020 at 3:58 PM
    #7
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    Rust is so disheartening. Glad you caught it in time. I hope you never need to use those tow hooks.
     
  8. Jul 8, 2020 at 4:46 PM
    #8
    mrmike7189

    mrmike7189 New Member

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    The whole Tacoma frame replacement problem goes back years. and it affected Tacoma,Tundra, and Sequoias. My FIL had a 2004 ,had new frame installed , then sold the truck for some big $$.
    He had a low miles V8 with leather seats and other fancy options that made it more desirable, I guess?
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2020
  9. Jul 8, 2020 at 6:33 PM
    #9
    Ramrod88

    Ramrod88 4Runner on Corolla budget

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    This may sound like a conspiracy but i gotta ask what yall think. Was there some secret rule for carmakers that made them HAVE to make a vehicle that doesn’t last forever. Just hear me out... Toyota’s drivetrains and other major components on most of all models they produce worldwide just laugh at high miles and old age. But the FRAMES, the goddamn frames are like cake in the rain when exposed to salt. The factory coating is like crayola water paint. Maybe an exaggeration but you just don’t hear about other automakers that rot out this fast in salty conditions. I strongly dislike Nissan, but I’ll give credit where its due,they are one of the best when it comes to resisting rust no matter how much salt they splash around in. Thoughts?
     
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  10. Jul 8, 2020 at 7:43 PM
    #10
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    Structural rust is definitely an Achilles heel of Toyota. Hard to understand the corporate strategy of that failure.
     
  11. Jul 8, 2020 at 10:04 PM
    #11
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    What’s the purpose of the foam piece?
     
  12. Jul 9, 2020 at 2:19 AM
    #12
    Ramrod88

    Ramrod88 4Runner on Corolla budget

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    I also would like to know this.
     
  13. Jul 9, 2020 at 3:05 AM
    #13
    peter2772000

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    I saw that foam strip when trimming my front bumper. My to do list includes ripping it out and going for a rust treatment before winter. In the winter, we use salt on the roads the way kids use ketchup on their french fries
     
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  14. Jul 9, 2020 at 6:47 AM
    #14
    MAXIM

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    That is how my 4th Gen looks like. As for fifth Toyota installed plastic splash guard to prevent that area from blasting and rusting. Did you keep OEM splash shield that spans from bumper to a skid plate?
     
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  15. Jul 9, 2020 at 7:54 AM
    #15
    Ramrod88

    Ramrod88 4Runner on Corolla budget

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    I keep the plastic piece on and i had about a 10th of what the op has. Grind it down and coat it if it’s not rotted through already. Maybe the foam is supposed to help with airflow through the radiator but it’s most likely the reason it happens. Like I said, mine has never been in salt and the rest of the frame is perfect
     
  16. Nov 24, 2020 at 3:01 PM
    #16
    Max4Runnah

    Max4Runnah New Member

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    I’ve got the same rust bucket under my radiator. Glad you caught it.

    Asked a guy with a 2016 if I could check his out and he had the same rust just starting to form.

    I attached some pix of my 2014 but my rust has even gone up to the bumper support structure. They put the same foam over the holes that would allow the water to drain.

    I’m in Manoa where it rains a lot and don’t do much highway driving so that probably didn’t help drying. BF3C79FF-B922-45B0-9CEB-FA2D3233EF17.jpg 123080F6-D8B5-4C1F-A6A9-B7E3E27D3C77.jpg FF0201BA-E2C7-4BC8-9ACA-F948F04780A0.jpg CEA11282-E415-462C-9508-9290F1397BDF.jpg ABE33052-4F21-4417-9CE8-BD34E3C9483E.jpg E667807F-050F-47FA-B1DB-C435352A2B27.jpg
     
  17. Nov 24, 2020 at 3:19 PM
    #17
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

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    Yikes! Going to check mine tomorrow. I spent a lot of time under there, so I don't think it's has that problem. Who knows though, never pulled back that foam piece.

    Toyotas BOF vehicles are such garbage in this one aspect. It's disgraceful. My Volvo is 6 years older than my 4Runner, and has basically no rust.
     
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  18. Nov 25, 2020 at 10:38 AM
    #18
    Max4Runnah

    Max4Runnah New Member

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    Hope you are clear, I looked at a pre 2014 4R and it was clean.

    Yeah I had an 06 Tacoma that was luckily qualified for a new frame. Loved the 6MT though.

    I would like opinions on the importance of the frame cross-member and how urgent it is to have a solid piece. The one on my truck is very close to being a non-continuous part... Here it is with diagrams https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-cross-member-5102160041

    I'm guessing it acts as protection for your radiator and a low point to hook recovery straps to.
     
  19. Nov 25, 2020 at 2:18 PM
    #19
    beemertrash

    beemertrash Just Another Brick In The Wall

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    So, is the general thought here that the foam piece under the radiator should be removed ? Thanks in advance.
     
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  20. Nov 25, 2020 at 3:03 PM
    #20
    Max4Runnah

    Max4Runnah New Member

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    What does your 2020 have in that area? I looked at a 2020 Tacoma and they had a rubber flap instead of foam.

    Looking at it from a design view, I would say Toyota is trying to prevent rain from getting past the radiator and onto the steel frame/engine components behind...
     
  21. Nov 25, 2020 at 3:42 PM
    #21
    canadian.bacon

    canadian.bacon H9 halogen is the best led bulb

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  22. Nov 25, 2020 at 3:50 PM
    #22
    beemertrash

    beemertrash Just Another Brick In The Wall

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    My 2020 4runner has the square foam that goes left to right under the radiator, just like the first couple pictures in post # 1. I am just wondering if I should leave it alone or remove it.
     
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  23. Nov 25, 2020 at 4:17 PM
    #23
    Max4Runnah

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    beemertrash- I would leave it alone and try to monitor it. Note that there is spot weld on the upper face of the cross member about 3" inboard from the recovery hook that I believe would be the first spot to rust.

    Or do what the new tacomas have. Remove the foam and replace with some Neoprene Rubber sheeting that will block spray and not absorb water.

    Someone correct me if I am wrong but I do not see the cross member being super critical. More of a radiator bumper for bottoming out and point for towing from
     
  24. Nov 25, 2020 at 4:24 PM
    #24
    beemertrash

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    Thanks, I will keep a eye on it and go from there, the rubber might be the way to go.
     
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  25. Nov 26, 2020 at 8:24 AM
    #25
    MeefZah

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    One of the benefits of an aftermarket skid.... that foam gets pulled off to mount it (or at least my RCIs did). Just looked at our 17 and 19, nice and rust free.
     
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  26. Nov 26, 2020 at 8:35 AM
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    Trail Runnah

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    Hmmmm, I don't remember messing with it when I installed my RCIs. Maybe a previous owner yanked it out, or it disappeared at the same time as the stock skids. I bought my 13 in early 19.
     
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  27. Nov 27, 2020 at 9:59 AM
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    toy33

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    *another thing to check (reminder)
     
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  28. Nov 28, 2020 at 10:14 AM
    #28
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

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    I checked that yesterday on my 2011 and there is nothing beyond minor surface rust.
     
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  29. Nov 28, 2020 at 1:02 PM
    #29
    thirdyota

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    Just pulled this foam piece off of mine yesterday. Only very minor surface rust behind it. Now I won't have to worry about it.
     
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  30. Nov 30, 2020 at 11:09 AM
    #30
    Max4Runnah

    Max4Runnah New Member

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    Awesome, I'm glad you guys do not have the level of rust I do... Thank you all for checking on this. When you have the chance could you post a pic of your rust in the area? I'll be going into Toyota again tomorrow and it would be great to show others having the same problem with the foam.

    Removing the foam is a simple fix. However, the engineers at Toyota thought it was needed for some reason. I've looked at the same area on a 2021 Tacoma and they have rubber flaps instead of the foam.
    I'll be installing neoprene rubber flaps, held on with Heavy Duty 3M double sided tape and self tapping screws where needed, to keep spray from getting past the radiator.

    As for the corroded piece below the radiator, I'm not sure if I need to replace the crossmember. Does anyone have input on how critical that thing is?

    Part and Diagram here
    https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2...AT/Frame-Crossmember/63038166/5102160041.html
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2020
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