After rebuilding my previously wrecked '97 4 runner, I thought everything was ok until I went to get it inspected. This is what was found (see below)....I know about the recall on the tacos because of rusted frames. I have never heard of anything on the 4 runners though. I can't imagine the frame being different on the 4 runners than on the tacos.


I am going to contact Toyota on Monday but I think I might have to try and repair this to get it on the road.

 

WOWZERZ!! That's ugly!! I dare say that dos look like a safety issue too. Good luck with that.

 

good lord! um good luck man. let us know what the yota dealer says

 

I'd say that rusted inside out. Standing water inside the frame rail?

What was the Tacoma recall? What was the cause? I never heard about it.

 

read the sticky above

 

Ah I see it. My frame is Japanese then, though some of my suspension parts look like they were made at the same place as those Tacoma frames

 

I put a patch over it today,our inspection says one frame patch is allowed,but I,m still calling Toyota tomorrow.I'm a little worried about the other side next to the gas tank.I know sooner or later I'm going to have to check that out somehow.I'll let everyone know what Toyota says.

 

hey ...ever hear anything from toyota?..my frame is FAR worse than yours and Im freaking out as to what to do.

 

What part of the country are you guys in? I've never seen a 3rd gen rusting that bad.

 

Wow you guys have it rough .

only one area of the frame allowed to be repaired or is there a difference between patched and repaired .

That being the case none of my vehicles would be able to pass inspection in your state.

 

I of course didn't know about this issue until my rear control arm snapped off the frame while going down the interstate, causing a near death experience. The dealership has been no help, even thought the vehicle was in for repairs/maintenance just 6 months ago and there was no mention to me of this. I've gotten the run around all day on the phone w/ Toyota. No help, no offer to pay for repairs even. They offered me a whopping 1000 rebate on a new vehicle....

 

So either fix it or sell.

Pretty simple .

you mean to say in 6 months you never crawled under your vehicle.

Go to Jiffy lube to get the oil changed??:jessica::jessica:

After a while you get used to those near death experiences:wabbit2:

 

i have a frame for you if u want it. 1999 4runner v6...not a spec of rust...freee come get it

 

Yep, pretty much my only Choices...

Yes, I generally use those type of places for routine maintenance. My time is worth more than I pay most days. Nice to be able to pop in for fluid checks quickly.

J-man: thanks for the offer, if only I lived around the corner...

 

I hate saying it, but honestly, how any vehicle lasts 5 years where salt is used on the roads is beyond me. Blaming Toyota for this is just silly. Salt + steel = corrosion. No two ways about it.