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Concerned by the look of this frame. '08 4Runner for my son

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by SFSD4runner, Aug 17, 2022.

  1. Aug 17, 2022 at 12:00 PM
    #1
    SFSD4runner

    SFSD4runner [OP] New Member

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    Greetings all. '19 TRD Offroad owner here. Looking at an '08 4Runner for my son. It hit my dealer's lot on Friday and I took for a test drive. It has 134K miles on it but everything looks great, runs great, drives great. This dealer has done all the service on the vehicle for the past 12 years so I know everything is GTG. BUT...I'm concerned by the look of the frame. I've attached video that was sent to me. Should I pass?

    https://static-user.drivecentric-cu...87ba-9113-4ca7-8e88-3950574a7f0d-original.mp4
     
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2022
  2. Aug 17, 2022 at 4:57 PM
    #2
    negusm

    negusm New Member

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    That is not too bad...yet. That frame is still solid but in 4 years or so if it gets major salt exposure, those rear control arm mounts are potentially going to have issues.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  3. Aug 18, 2022 at 4:31 AM
    #3
    mousemeat

    mousemeat New Member

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    Memphis, TN.
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    upgraded suspension, large all terrain tires
    make sure underneath.is as clean as it can get..prime / re paint as needed...if there's any weak link in our vehicles, it's underneath
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  4. Aug 18, 2022 at 5:40 AM
    #4
    iamincrediboy

    iamincrediboy New Member

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    Frame doesnt look that bad right now, but if you dont do anything at all it does look like its only a few years out from delamination and potential points of failure. Id probably take a wire wheel on every frame weld and spot on the rear axle i could reach and remove the surface rust, then primer and new underbody paint and woolwax. Or just full bore it and POR15 the whole underside
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  5. Aug 18, 2022 at 6:25 AM
    #5
    SFSD4runner

    SFSD4runner [OP] New Member

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    '19 TRD Offroad
    Thanks for the input. It was the rear control arm mounts and axle that got my attention as well. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't over-reacting and passing on a good vehicle or worse, poopooing it and getting a time bomb.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  6. Aug 18, 2022 at 7:00 AM
    #6
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Looks reasonable. I see a father/son rust proofing project in your immediate future...

    All the comments have merit - take care of it now, it'll be good for years. Where will your son (lucky dog!) be driving this?
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  7. Aug 18, 2022 at 7:53 AM
    #7
    SFSD4runner

    SFSD4runner [OP] New Member

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    The father/son "bonding" experience is sort of what I was thinking as well. I know he was thinking that once he got the vehicle he was immediately going to be gone all the time galivanting all over God's green earth, which was sort of why I was wanting a 4Runner for him. But, with this project, I can keep him home just a little bit longer. The reality is, he's still in high school, so for the time he'll be driving it around town and to ferry his little brother around. There's also going to be some gravel time with hunting.
     
  8. Aug 18, 2022 at 9:27 PM
    #8
    jsteed

    jsteed New Member

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    That frame looks fine. My 13 ltd was over mountain passes in Washington all its life and looks the same.
     

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