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Should I be concerned about the surface rust

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by Pavo, Jul 17, 2021.

  1. Jul 17, 2021 at 10:09 AM
    #1
    Pavo

    Pavo [OP] New Member

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    My 3rd gen has been a California car all its life but did have an owner who lived in ventura (presumably near the ocean) there appears to be some surface rust, should I be concerned? What's the best way to take care of it, I was thinking of take a wire wheel and rustoleum rust reformer. Rest of the truck is in amazing condition

    20210709_194425.jpg
    20210709_081336.jpg
     
  2. Jul 17, 2021 at 2:12 PM
    #2
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    Wow what a trophy. I don’t see any rust, but any preventive maintenance will help in the future. Like radiator, upper coolant hose? I get a hundred thousand miles out of a set of plugs? Bleed the brakes: air compressor/pressure vacuum pump
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2021
    Toy4X4, Tama1968 and Pavo[OP] like this.
  3. Jul 17, 2021 at 2:19 PM
    #3
    Pavo

    Pavo [OP] New Member

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    Isn't it surface rust on the welds (by the sway bar)? Whats funny is i just changed the plugs the other day (has 210,000 miles) and I'm pretty sure they were never changed because half were denso and half were ngks, 2 of the plugs were really loose so I'm surprised it wasn't misfiring. I did the plugs and wires. I have an oem radiator with hoses and a transmission cooler im going to swap hopefully by end of the month when I have time. I just got an old man emu setup with rear coils from wheelers as well

    20210710_063503.jpg
     
  4. Jul 17, 2021 at 2:22 PM
    #4
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    I had to swap out my rear bumper. That usually rusts out first.
     
    Toy4X4 likes this.
  5. Jul 17, 2021 at 3:45 PM
    #5
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    So I took undercoating rust preventer and coated the back side of the new/used bumper. I wouldn’t forget that area. Especially the corner mounts.
     
  6. Jul 17, 2021 at 3:50 PM
    #6
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    And looks like a leak prob valve cover gaskets and the cover grommets.
     
  7. Jul 17, 2021 at 4:01 PM
    #7
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    Off topic “but” I’m trying to figure out the difference in a “Limited” and a “SR5 Limited”. Is yours a 1996?
     
  8. Jul 17, 2021 at 4:20 PM
    #8
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    The owners group claims it’s just a “Limited” and it has a PX Metallic paint package.
     
  9. Jul 17, 2021 at 5:23 PM
    #9
    mousemeat

    mousemeat New Member

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    upgraded suspension, large all terrain tires
    would not be too overtly concerned..get underneath...clean it..and then wire brush..and then prime/repaint as needed...once a week, go underneath..and monitor....
     
  10. Jul 18, 2021 at 12:33 PM
    #10
    PhantomTweak

    PhantomTweak New Member

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    OREGON
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    None. Bone Stock. EXCEPT: Brushguard, tow hitch, both welded to the frame. It's good to have friends and a fully equipped garage!
    If it were me, I would get a solid metal, 3 core, radiator, and install a separate transmission cooling radiator. CSF makes superb radiators. Prevent the whole "milkshake" possibility. Not to mention the all metal radiators last a lot longer than the plastic tank ones do.
    I put all metal 3 cores in both my 87's, some 30+ years ago, and the one in the pickup is still going strong 30 years later. The one in the 4Runner blew the top tank off, but it lasted about 28 or 29 years. I really feel I got my money's worth out of both of them.
    Come the day, I'm getting one for my 99 Runner. It's just a matter of time, now...
    MUAHAHAH...
    <ahem> Sorry. Got carried away there.

    I usually recommend OEM replacement parts, but the radiator is one thing I make a strong exception for. Just my personal opinion, for what little it's worth.
    BTW: Make sure to use the Toyota Red coolant. It made for these trucks, and helps prevent the differential metal corrosion they're prone to. The generic green coolant doesn't at all.

    Good luck!
    Pat☺
     
    Pavo[QUOTED][OP] likes this.

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