For all you 3rd gen owners, I was wondering if any of you guys are experiencing any rust on your rigs? Reason I ask is because if anybody is experiencing it, so I can watch out for those spots. On my 2nd gen (1992), it was horrible how the rust was eating the tailgate, both rear and front fenders and on the edges of the inside of the doors. Next winter I might be getting a winter beater, but Im not sure yet. thanks guys

 

I personally think it has to do with where you live. Salting the roads can obviously cause major issues in the winter.

But, I think the answer to your question is no as far as the truck itself having a rust problem.

 

My son just called me from FL and told me he thinks he has rust on the ends of the running board(s) on his '02 Limited. His '02 Limited is the twin to mine ... I bought it for him for graduation. <vbg> Anyway, I can't say I have any rust yet on my '02 and I can't see how he would have rust on the running boards since they are plastic?

This makes me think of something I should give everyone a heads up on. I installed Weathertech black rubber door sill guard plates on my '99 and when I took one of them off (they're held on with a couple of long strips of 3M tape, the area underneath had started to rust. I will not put those on another vehicle unless I use an adhesive to cement and seal the entire peice. I plan on using 3M clear chip guard vinyl (sold by JCW) to protect the scuff surfaces on the door sills ... I'm just waiting for better weather.

I have no rust on my '99 and I live in a wicked location for corrosion. I spend more time hosing down the undercarriage of my cars than I do the finish. <g>

 

no rust for me, but if anything i'd think it would be from my paint chips I need to fix....one day Butnut I will drive over there for you to fix them

 

Xpell makes paint protector kits but it can be a real PITA to install some of the pieces. I have both the paint and the lamp lens protector kits installed. The stuff ain't cheap.

http://www.xpel.com/index.html

 

No rust on mine...I have yet to see a 3rd gen with rust. 2nd gens seem to rust on the upper and lower doors. All Runner owners, I have a touch up biz and we visit a lot of dealers. One thing we notice is a LOT of Toyota's rust on the roof. All it takes is a tiny, and I mean tiny paint chip. It looks like a spec of rust with legs. I call 'em spiders. The bare metal (from the rock chip) is exposed, and the rust creeps under the paint. Bigger ones bubble up. When washing your trucks, inspect for any small chip on the roof. You can dab on of those rust stopping products (Extend etc...) with a toothpick. After it dries, a little touch up paint. I saw a '01 Seqoia with a spider on the roof. A pencil point rust crater with legs...I told them I could paint the chip, but the rust is going to spread...can you see a body shop painting the roof for such a tiny spec of rust? :pat: You have been warned...now go look at your roofs! Sleepy, let me know about your chips...don't wait too long.
butnut

 

I noticed some rust on my 97 on the bottom edge of the rear passenger door. The only reason I can think of is that the guy I bought the truck from lives near the beach, and all the salt in the air may have contributed. A little touch up paint and we're back in business.

 

No rust on my 96. And I live in central NY where they salt the roads like there's no tomorrow. However, I to try to take decent care of my rig... I try to get a good coat of wax on it right before winter sets in to help protect it... and I try to get the salt washed off a couple of times each winter.

 

I have some rust on my '94 on the support between the windshield and drivers door. I'm thinking of having it ground off and fixed.