Great video although disturbing also. The Car Care Nut guy should contact Toyota and ask them why they spend a great amount of time and money producing engines and transmissions that last over 25 years, but refuse to dip their frames in a rust proof solution in the production process. They come so close to perfection but miss the mark in this area. I have a 2000 4Runner with 330,000 miles and it runs great but the frame is rusted through in spots. Just makes me sick when they skimp on not making the frames more rust proof and I'm sure not the only who feels this way. Shame on you Toyota.
@@texaskemppzc2429This is my guess as well. All other car companies are now having "planned obsolescence" built into their cars to make money. So I guess this is one way how Toyota has that built in their trucks, a loooong term planned obsolescence lol.
When you coat the frame with fluidfilm or the coating of your choice, make sure you coat the inside of the frames. Also, they have special tubes and applicator tips for getting inside the frames do this every year and you should be safe.
I live in the salt belt, only thing I do is run 4R through automatic car wash after driving through salt in the winter and frame looks great. Car wash has a underside chassis wash and cleans all the chemicals out of frame. I don’t have any rust at all
Don’t forget, if you bought used (like I did). Spend half a day with the car jacked up, put on a mask and one of those painters outfits and use a hammer/wire brush/screw driver to scrape any surface rust off the frame. That way it doesn’t flake after your coating and expose non-coated metal.
Oil sprays definitely the best. Had my 4Runner and GX 460 done with Corrosion Free. Doesn’t drip and works very well. I heard PB Blaster came out with stuff called Surface Shield and supposedly it outperforms everything.
@@jlavelleis53 SS does not creep like CF. I use CF in doors, rockers, fenders, under carpet, at parking cable penetrations, hood and trunk lid, inside trunk etc
I live in Southern CA and our 05 4runner is rust free thanks to our wonderful weather. We’ve had our Toyota for 16 years and not one major problem. These vehicles with the J on the vin number go a long way.
I live in Southern California as well and have seen quite a few 4runners and tacomas with a decent amount of surface rust (san diego and other coastal community ones) caltrans puts down salt (brine) in the winter in socal as well. I still woolwax mine
AMD, thanks for another outstanding video. I convinced my wife that she wanted her 2017 4Runner over the Highlander for two reasons: 1 - Body on frame construction and 2 - the north-south engine alignment vs. the transverse engine mounting. We don't live in the rust/salt belt so expect to be driving the 4Runner for another 25 years.
@@GatesRapes correct me if I’m wrong Dave, but doesn’t the penetrant soak into the porous metal so water and salt cannot permeate the surface? Fluid film overtop as the protective barrier would protect this even more, no?
AMD, you are a WEALTH of knowledge my friend!! I spent the last few months researching what vehicle to trade my 2015 F2Fiddy 6.7 power stroke in on and came to Toyota 4Runner 5th gen or the Tacoma. I decided on the 4Runner and found a 2021 4Runner TRD OffRoad Premium w/Predator Package black/black and it’s got 34k miles. Absolutely beautiful brand new truck. I watched dozens of your videos, some multiple times, to decide on a 2020+ 4Runner so thank you for all of your knowledgeable advice and experience!! I wanted a TRD Pro, but for the prices people & dealers wanted it was ridiculous to spend that when I got basically the same truck for a lot less money!!! So, I know this video is older, but wanted to thank you sir! Hope you and yours are doing great! If I didn’t live in VA than you’d be my new tech for my new 4Runner!! Thanks again!! God Bless~ 🙏 ✝️🙏✝️🙏
Great informative video. It would be awesome if we could see a step-by-step demonstration of exactly what to do, to best protect the frame. I'm assuming you have to first clean the frame with a de-greaser as best you can. Then maybe rough it up a little bit with sandpaper so any sealant can adhere better? And then of course which sealants/products work best and how to best coat it and plug holes, etc.
Not a Toyota, but I live in the northeast and had great luck with only using a standard car wash, (with undercarriage rinse), once or twice a week in the winters, on a 2007 vehicle purchased new. As of 2020, not a spec of rust on the body. Never looked underneath, but after 13 winters in the northeast, it owes me nothing. I did not expect the car wash to be so effective, and surely "all" car washes are not equal, but it worked for me. Not everyone has the room, a lift, or the inclination to crawl under the vehicle every fall.
This video helped me to decide on keeping a 4Runner I got via Carvana. I bought a used one owner 2019 4Runner w/only 24k miles. Only after receiving it I found surface rust everywhere on the frame and there were about five areas where the rust was eating through the metal. There was also rust behind the brake assemblies and the front tow hooks - like you pointed out. I had a bodyshop confirm my thinking and added that it needed an entirely new frame instead of just replacing certain parts and said it was in pretty bad shape for the relatively young age of the vehicle. My guess is the previous owner who lived in the NE was not mindful to wash off the salt. I was lucky to walk away during the test drive period and went ahead and bought a new 4Runner instead. Thank you for all of your help and tips.
People who don’t listen and understand this video are in for a rude education. Interior of box frame undercoating is critical to make sure it is done by the undercoater. Failure has a very steep price and you don’t need the headache or expense. He told you the frame cost! $7,000 basically. Probably more after taxes and shipping. It’s your call, but you better take his advice and remember, rust works from the inside to the outside.
You mentioned so many important points about the frames in detail, on this episode. This is the reason I keep coming back to this channel! This was very informative! Thank you!
I just bought what I feel will be the last of the great old school 4runners, a 2024. Before I start driving it regularly I'm applying a lanolin based undercoat. Actually doing it today myself with a 5 gallon pail of Blaster Surface Shield and rattle cans of Fluid Film. Blaster for the frame (in/out) and undercarriage. Fluid film for inside doors and places that need more creep and won't get road washed out. I also ceramic coated the paint. I plan to keep this thing as long as possible. FYI, don't buy an undercoating that dries out over time like rubberized. It will crack, let water get behind it, and hold that water and salt against the frame. It will rot without you seeing it. Use a lanolin based product like Fluid Film, Woolwax, or Surface Shield and touch them up as needed. Spray that stuff all through the inside of the frame with long tube spray adapters with 360 degree nozzles,
I live in the Chicago area and just keep the 4Runner garaged with battery maintainer when salt is being used. I use a winter car which I wash regularly and have no problem driving on the heavily salted roads!😌
According to Scotty Kilmer he told a viewer that it's a waste of time to rust proof and doesn't need it.. His reason it's zinc coated. I take this with a grain of salt and do it because it makes me feel better. Top notch video again, thanks for sharing. Cheers
Thank you for that video on Toyota frames. I would say it's very important information since everything mounts and rides on the frame. Also, excellent information for those looking for a used Toyota. 👍🙏
So I'm totally screwed. I just bought my 2012 recently, got it serviced and learned it was very rusted. I'm devastated. I was so excited when I got it too. I'm stuck with it now. After wanting to buy one for years.
Exactly just try to keep it from getting worse and spray with Krowns! I’m sure you will still get great use out of your 4Runner. I know I love my Limited!
Another well detailed video about the 4 runner. This series of videos on the 4 Runner is perfect for someone like me looking to buy a used 4 Runner. Now I have knowledge of what to look for when shopping around. The info about the rust is particularly very important to know. Thanks for these videos and keep them coming.
2022 Off Road Premium - 22Kmiles --- so, even in Kansas where salt may be used: first, thing find a shop that will powerwash the frame inside and out and have that done in the spring. Question: is there a product that can be used to 'spot treat' areas including inside the the frame - great videos - really a good job!!! Thank you ALSO-- If someone put together a list of steps to get this done- calling out the right holes to clean inside 'from' that would be highly popular (I believe) I don't trust most of the car people around here.
I am a new subscriber. I am just so impressed with all of the technical details that you provide. Thank you so much! You provide raw technical details rather than sales pitch, which is exactly what I was looking for. Much appreciated!
Hello AMD ! I am amazed with how much time you spend and of the amount of outstanding valuable info you post on your channel, it is just mind blowing. Congratulations. You should be named RU-vidr of the year. You sure are a passionate man as I am. I just got my new 2021 4Runner sprayed with anti-rust (Fluid Film like) all over; frame and cross members outside and inside, inside fenders, inside rocker panels, inside of the hood and tail gate; mechanics will hate me. I had done this with my former 2011 Grand Cherokee every 3 years and no rust to be seen anywhere. Except, after 10 years, before selling that Jeep, I had to replace both driver and passenger front doors ($$$$) because rust had built up inside the doors but only behind these patches on the door skins. My 4Runner has these same exact patches with the same material. My truck sleeps in a my garage all year round and heated at 60 deg.F during winter. It is rust belt conditions where I live. Have you noticed that particular rusting issue with the 4Runner over the years ?
Hi! Thank you for watching my channel! On the 4runners I haven’t seen issues with the body rusting but the frame yes. So protecting the frame is a very good move in ensuring you don’t have problems at any point. On the body any dings or rock chips touch up and you should be good
I love this series. Internal and external frame coating/rustproofing is an option/service I would have bought if offered by my dealer when our 4Runner was new, especially if I saw this video then. They left some money on the table. On the other hand, buying and maintaining the equipment and training to do the job probably is not worth the cost to the dealer if they could only sell the service once in a blue moon.
This video made me want to subscribe. The content and extensiveness of details on just the frame as a topic is great. I own a 5th gen 4Runner SR5 4WD, love it. Great video. Thank you, Sir!
Thank you now I know exactly where to put my efforts this coming fall. This is my first 4RUNNER 2021 Sr5 Premium…I will be retiring about the same time I pay this vehicle off and hopefully 🙏🏻 I can get 20 years out of it. I appreciate your efforts making this series Thank you!!! 🙂 👍🏻👍🏻
I just picked up my 2021 4Runner TRD Off Road Venture Package with KDSS Loaded.... even got the basket on the roof.... Now we can take the Mother-in-Law.... lol
Love this series, makes me want a 4runner. I prize reliability over getting another MPG. I wonder how long until the next generation 4runner and how modernization will affect reliability.
You know they will soon become a EV or hybrid then everyone will be after the older ones that are in nice shape. We will never own any EV no matter what happens.
Load some bar chain oil in a pneumatic sprayer, thin with kerosene if needed. Spray the frame inside and outside of frame every two years. You can also melt wax in the oil to make it last longer. I have a 96 4runner with an excellent frame and it's driven in salt roads all winter.
Bar and chain oil is better than nothing but I have seen comparisons. Fluid Film is MUCH better. If you are going to make the effort of spraying it, pay the extra and get Fluid Film.
Tell you now, because I fix them - they rust. The bad spots are the bodymounts, above the fuel tank, the inners of the rear body-panels (those are HARD to fix) and down inside the wings/chassis at the front, the crossmembers go & can be a sod - all unless you pull the body/mechanicals. Which isn't 5 minutes. The rails also rust internally - so use rustproofer as fixing that's a bit of a mare too. If you do have to unzip the rear quarters to get to the internals, you'd need your "I'm good at this" hat on and new panels for the older versions ain't too plentiful either. Chances are, if you take off the outer panels because they're corroded, the inners will be 80% worse when you get a look at them. All these points apply to the Hiluxes as well.
Just watched this for a second time since I’m waiting for my trd pro to arrive. Always informative to the point and simple to understand. Thank you again!
One thing that I do is take a hose and put it in a frame hole, rinsing the dirt and junk out of the frame. It will rinse all the dirt and junk, trapping moisture and not letting it dry out ever. Also fluid film is what I use and it's really saved my truck rocker panels, cab corners and frame the stuff is great. I just acquired a 2020 4runner and will be giving it the treatment aswell.
I have two 4Runners, one 2010 and the other one 2014. The 2010 is with rust and I'm fixing it, removing the rust mechanically, applying rust converter, phosphate, primer and painting. It is only the surface but like you said, it is the start. The most important thing is clean (wash)....
Thank you for this 4Runner series. I would LOVE to see you review the 4th gen 4Runner with the V8. Truly exceptional as the only 4Runner ever to get a V8. Thank you!
my 2013 4runner , 100,000km usedd, previous owner neglected frame, paint chip and starting of rust, spent 20 hours wire wheel, descal, , wassh , acid etch, wash, dry indoors heated room , por 15 over entire frame 3 coats over entire frame very thin coats, then 2 coats of por 15 top coat aerosol (let dry inbetween all coats!) after all dry, 6 cans of FLUID FILM over everything! everyone should do this, or fluim film 3 times a year from a fresh frame, inside and out!!!
The only vehicle I purchased new was a 1997 4WD Tacoma. The frame rusted through at 91,000 miles. I missed the extended warranty by two weeks because the post card was deceptively worded and the dealership laughed at my misfortune, because they're customer hating psychos. I bought a 2005 4Runner last year and I had to look at a lot of them to find one that didn't have severe frame corrosion. The one I bought spent most of its life in Florida. I drove 75 miles north to look at a dozen 4Runners around Cincinnati and they ALL had horrible frame rust. The sellers sprayed black paint over the rust. I'd poke it with my finger and big chunks of painted rust would fall off the frame. The first thing I did with my 2005 4Runner was cold water pressure wash the frame and undercarriage and I sprayed everything but the exhaust system with Surface Shield, which is arguably a slightly better version of Fluid Film. Don't mess with rubber undercoatings or spray paint. They chip and flake off, and they seal in the rust and promote rusting from the inside out. The lanolin based non-hardening corrosion protection maintains a waterproof seal longer. For a hard, waterproof and air-tight coating, I'd recommend POR-15 or Chassis Saver from Monstaliner, and I"d STILL spray over that with Surface Shield! Frame corrosion is car cancer. Everything else can be repaired on a 4Runner. I bought a 4WD Daihatsu Hijet mini truck from Japan. It's getting the corrosion resistant treatment too.
I picked up mine in July 2020 and I love it. The big caveat with me is I test drove one way back in 2010 and loved it, but ultimately went with at the time the Tacoma OR as it was more practical. That truck and it's drive was one of the best driving experiences I've ever had. That entire time though, I wanted the 4Runner and watched the price slowly increased over that 10 year period. I went into the 4Runner knowing exactly what I was getting all around (ie. a similar drive the Tacoma), and with my mind already made up. I think Toyota knows their 4Runner customers pretty much only want the 4Runner and no other vehicle, which is why a typical dealer will only have a handful of them at any time instead of 2 or 3 rows. The deal I got last year would be extremely rare if not impossible now.
I live in Chicago and wanted a 2021 stripped 4WD SR5. All the dealers exclusively had the loaded varieties. On Carvana I found a dealer in Omaha NB with the exact model. Drove out there, picked it up, and drove it home. Love the 4 Runner.
That's awesome! I truly wanted to go the carvana route and kept track of it for about a year before March 2020..average price was always roughly 35k for a low mileage 2 year old OR. Eventually people had to pre-buy them without knowing what they were getting. I gave up then since I'm still old school. GX460s also had the exact same trend.
Great video AMD! Always was curious about 4runner underside, so cool to know we’re in the same “rust belt”! lol.. thankfully I had it undercoated before winter! Really Appreciate your great work!! Thank you & God bless you as well! look forward to seeing videos, especially 4runner videos✌️
I just got a 2021 4runner TRD Off Road after lots of research, your videos make me feel good about decision. This one scared me. Please do a follow up short video about where and how to get the frame coated. Maybe you could get a sponsor who specializes in 4runner frame coating. I plan on keeping mine 20 years. I am 66.
I am expecting the same 4 Runner in a few weeks with every intention of keeping it for at least 15 years. I’m undecided which option to go with. Dealer sprayed undercoat or apply Fluid Film or CRC myself. Big price difference is not the issue. Its whether the Fluid Film or CRC option is more effective in keeping rust from forming vs dealer option.
@@utubem2ddd I was not given an option for the dealer supplied undercoat. how much was it? I wish there was a Toyota approved company that could do it. My friend who was a Toyota salesman has a 4th gen and it never had an issue, he was afraid of clogging a drain hole and making it worse. He always washed it after a snow storm at a car wash with underbody washers. What color is yours? mine is gray metalic, but I wish it was silver.
Coating the frame is one thing, but the important thing is to coat the inside of the frame. That is a bit tougher to do, but that is where it will rust.
My 4Runner is 10 years old. I live in Chicago like you but fortunately, I only have a little bit of surface rust. Every winter after salt spreading, I rinsed the underside (temperature permitting).
It makes a significant difference if you rinse the salt off after the salt season is over. Imagine some people will count on run to hopefully wash the salt off
Can you do a series on the FJ Cruiser frame??? There's currently a class action suit in progress for the 4Runner frame. The FJ Cruiser rust issue, due to it being out of production and low total volume, is being ignored. Potential buyers and owners would benefit from a video guiding them to where to look.
I've rust proofed my 4runner frame w/ CorrosionFree including inside the frame. You'll also want to rinse the frame and internal (closed tube remember) w/ plenty of water. Rinse as much as possible and rust proof yearly for rust belt trucks.
@@DavidGagne Canadian here too. Not enough coverage of Corrosion Free. I use it on my cars. I'd love a comparison to Fluid Film which seems to be the leader of the stay soft coatings.
What I’m surprised about dodge had frame rust back in the 70s and 80s then they changed the metal composition and no more frame rust and cracking why can’t Toyota follow suit
If you live in the city try driving on two wheel drive most of the time that way you can save some gas,I only used 4 wheel drive in special occasions even like that I spend around 40 every week on gas ,I would guess depending on where you live also can mean more gas for example I’m from south Florida and the traffic sucks here
@@fisherman1353 just so you know, two models have all wheel drive, the Limited and the Nightshade I believe. AWD stays on continuously as a 40/ 60 split front/ rear I believe with the option to lock differential in a 50/50 split. Other models that have 4wd have a conventional system where you switch into 4wd from 2wd and that should never be used for driving around on, only off road.
@@Smitty_76 I own a 2018 sr5 premium with the predator package XP,I can’t tell you about other models but I do have the option on mine to switch from awd to two wheel drive although I heard that they have an sr5 with only two wheel drive
@@fisherman1353 I believe you are referring to is part time 4wd which is not the same as awd. An awd system does not ever go to 2wd. Look into it, I'm pretty sure.
Plenty on you tube already. A simple 30 minute job for a personal doing it the first time. 10-15 mins once you know what you’re looking for and what you’re already doing. I can already tell you from experience stealerships don’t normally lube the propeller shafts during toyota care. If you in a rural area where you are a fair amount of unpaved roads and more inclement conditions I recommend lubing the shafts every other oil change or at least every 15k. If your 4Runner is just mainly on road metro suburbia area you can get away with doing this every 30k or pairing the maintenance when you do your diff fluid change
@@jusimplicit FYI. Just had 40K service a dealer. They lubed the drive shaft (with 2 types of grease) and torqued the drive shaft bolts. Also did the fuel pump recall service!
I'm really concern about that because I'm live in ERIE PENNSYLVANIA wintertime City used a lot of saults. Thanks to know about the frame and place to be sure to check.
AMD, The Salt Belt® is the place where I live yet after 16 very salty winters there is no rust on my 'Toyota'. How is this possible? A yearly visit to Krown Rustproofing for their expertise plus an annual coat of paste wax applied in my driveway for the top side = one rust free vehicle. Rust = Neglect.
It’s because you’re using Krown. It’s the best rust proofing on earth period. I’ve seen many up here in northern Canada survive ONLY due to Krown. Good job
Great video, when you say coat the frame, what do you use to coat it ? Thanks again for your time for doing all these so informative videos as i just purchased a 2024 TRD Off Road Premium, ill be watching all of them of course.
It eould ha e been nice to add in this video what options are available to protect the frame. I wouldnt wven know who to call for a frame costing service. We have alot of salt here and this topic cones to mind every time i drive in the winter.
Awesome as always. I've gotten my 4Runner oiled with Krowns undercoating each Fall. I know this is off topic, but I was wondering what you thought of on this Low Pressure Fuel Pump recall. I'm getting ready to take mine to get replaced. I'm a little hesitant because my 4Runner runs fine as is. Thanks..
Hi! The recall is not a big deal. The pump has a manufacturing issue. They’ll drop the tank replace the pump and life is good. Take it in with as little gas as possible and make sure to check the fuel gauge as soon as you get it back to make sure everything is working fine.
Krown says they drill holes into the frame amd that’s when I get nervous. They say the need to drill holes to put coating inside frame. Is this legit? I keep my Limited very newlike so drilling into the frame gets me very nervous. Any suggestions?
The fact that this is such a glaring issue on a supposedly “rugged and reliable” vehicle is not acceptable to me. What good is a reliable engine and transmission if you have to replace the entire frame of the vehicle?
Hi AMD, great video showing a weakness on the 4Runner, I looked about 20 different 4Runner in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦 before buying my 2019 4Runner couple months ago and surprisingly all of them had rust appearing on frame except mine had the least amount of rust spots. These 4Runners look immaculate from outside but it is when you lean under the carriage to look at it that is when it will be apparent. I Krown rustproof and going to do this annually and also especially under the spare tire it is crucial area. I recommend owners take the spare out and spray rustproofing around that area. Great video AMD educating us. God bless you.
Congrats on your purchase! I have a 2018 SR5 Premium, bought it brand new. I rust proofed it from day one and it has zero rust underneath except for the cheap bolts and fasteners Toyota uses is little rusty. Am here in Mississauga Ontario and you know what the roads are like in the winter , covered in road salt. Removing spare tire is crucial before spraying rust proof , that's where all the salt collects and deposits and does it's magic. Love my 4runner!
@@Thankyou_3 I use variety of products for different areas, use krown for tight areas like inside the door frame through the drain hole and the quarter panels and the engine bay. I really like the corrosion free rust cure formula 3000 from Canadian tire. It's clear gel based dripless product that i use for underneath and it doesn't wash away easily. Ofcourse fluid film, inside and outside the frame and the pinch welds and every where. I bought a separate wand that attaches to the fluid film can with a long tube and it sprays 360 deg, best for inside the frame and cross members. Very happy with the results, but you have to stay on top of it every year. Any rust proof is better than no rust proof!
@@teddynaicker2997 that’s great detail you covered. I got look into doing it myself. I paid 130 plus tax for Krown but they didn’t cover above the spare tire holder of course but with the free can they provide I touched it up. I wonder if I do it myself next it would be cheaper than 130.
I have an '03 and live in York Region. Further to the spare tire, I also drop the front skid plate and spray in that area as well. Over the years, I missed coating one of the high pressure lines on the steering rack and it ended up with a pin hole and started leaking last year. Tried everywhere to find a replacement line, but ended up having to replace the whole rack!
As always great info. Thank you..!! I do apply extra rust proofing when I install sliders and after market skids. I should think about better rust proofing here in Colorado.
Hopefully the 6th gen addresses this, especially since the new Bronco will have 35's available STOCK. Having to modify the body mounts to fit a 33" tire is definitely amateur hour on Toyota's part. Hopefully they'll see how the offroad aftermarket has exploded and want to make them more friendly to modifications. Better axle gearing options would be a plus as well.
Not a mechanic or an auto body specialist or a metallurgist or a structural engineer........but, I live in the northeastern U.S. and there are not exactly "a lot" of businesses who advertise fluid film type undercoating. I've asked two (non-Toyota) auto dealers, two independent mechanics, and two body shops, and they claimed to not even know what I was even talking about. It would seem to me, to be a "no brainer" for dealers in most of the U.S. to offer fluid film (or whatever) undercoating..........through their body shops.........for ALL the vehicles they sell; not just 'off-road' vehicles. I can't imagine that a majority of customers in a state where salt is used, would decline it. I would imagine that there is some logical reason that I am not aware of, why so few auto dealers offer a fluid film type coating.
Those hooks at the front of the frame that is described as tow hooks are actually supposed to be used for securing the vehicle for transport rather than towing or recovery. I could be wrong but can you confirm? They don't look like they'd be strong enough for a heavy pull but I could be wrong.
as someone who had their 82 BJ42 body completely disintegrate within 15y, i want to smack toyota upside the head every time i hear the words toyota and rust in the same sentence. why do they not put drain holes on the low points of the frame?? why do they not coat the inside of their frame??
Toyota frame steel and fasteners are no longer treated for corrosion using chromium and cadmium plating and pickling solutions. Mainly due to environmental restrictions. The alternative chemicals are just not as good, which enables faster corrosion degradation. If you live up north where salts are used in the roads, you MUST use a supplemental corrosion preventative compound on the chassis components and frame members, inside and out. Fluid film and CPC marine grade waxy hard film are really the best I’ve found.
Your videos are awesome and detailed. I own a 2006 4runner. I live in Chicagoland also. Wondering if you have a repair shop also. Let me know please. Thank you Rony
