Looking for a 3rd Generation 4 Runner... really prefer a 5spd (which I know are rare).

Many of the vehicles being sold in my area (Fairfax VA) are bought at auction and brought down from the North East (aka - the rust belt).

Just curious where you guys draw the line on these trucks with rust? I've seen several trucks that look fantastic inside and out... until I look under the car and see nothing but rust. Every bolt is rusted, welds are rusted, the protective plates are brown with rust, even items in the egine bay are starting to rust on some of them.

I expect an 8yr old car to show wear and tear, but I still don't have an idea what is "normal" wear and tear for these vehicles.

I've seen a few that looked great, but had high miles (150k+) with no rust...
and I've seen some with very low miles (less than 100K)... but are covered with rust on the underbody.

Does anyone have any good pics for what they would consider to be "acceptable" levels of rusting?

Is it a common concern with the 3rd Gens? Or am I just being paranoid?

I'm not really worried about structural integrity with the rust... just that wrenching on cars with a lot of rust is just asking for trouble.

-batsoff
soon to be a 4Runner owner...

 

Mine doesn't have any rust on it and it's 11 years old. It is all about how well you take care of them. If you drive it all winter and wash it only once a month then yeah, It's gonna have rust. I wash my truck atleast every other week in the winter but usually once a week. Also Mine is garage kept so I'm sure that makes a huge difference.

Psssst, Buy mine!

 

It's a nice ride no doubt... but I'm looking for something that is set up for the street. Also would like a 5 speed.

Thanks for the info regarding the rust... I think I'm gonna be in for a long search here on the East Coast... unless I can find someone selling below the Mason Dixon line.

 

ill sell you mine for 3 grand.. no rust. ...but you'd have to fly out here, and drive it back. lol.

 

It is too rusty when the frame snaps in half. Then you cry and fix it.

 

It is too rusty when you see that redish stuff on your car. Seriously, here in Texas if you see red stuff on the car then it is too rusty.

Case in point, this is considered a very rusty car in Texas, notice the rust on the widowseal and the windshild wipers:

Before i sanded those down everyone that saw the car said the thing (really, not making this up) "nice car, pretty rusty but you should be able to fix that"




The good news is that is all the rust that was on the car, none of that red stuff under the car or anywhere else for that matter.

 

Another reason to love Colorado's dry climate and we don't use salt on the roads here.

 

I would take a high mileage, rust free 3rd gen over a low mileage somewhat rusted one any day. These trucks have ben proven to be reliable at high mileage, but rust is a problem no matter how old the vehicle.

I have a '02 Tundra with 124k, no rust.. Excellent truck all around.

 

its all in personal preference with rust
this wasn't to much rust for me




this was the '80 cab that replaced my wrecked '79 cab

 

rust scares me...

 

HOLY HECK!!!! I did not know that could even happen!!