Question NC Rust issues

[NoToyz]

Anyone from NC, how are the 4runners standing up to rust there? what should I look for in frame / body condition to tell vehicle may be good to go. Long drive to look at this vehicle, so I've requested some additional photos before I make up my mind if I want to be bothered.

 

[89s rule]

Where do you live? looking at a few of you older posts I am guessing you are asking about a 3rd gen? Rust can be bad anywhere in the country at this point. I looked at several in SC that were rust before I bought mine. Rear frame seems to be the most common. IMHO 3rd gens are to plentiful to drive too far for one. When I say too far Im saying ~ 5+ hrs from home.

 

[NoToyz]

89s rule Yeah I'm looking at a 3rd gen specifically. Long drive to look at is about 4 1/2 hours away so I'd like to have a very good idea what to expect before I go, but this also looks moot as I've not heard back from my emails to the seller. Possible it has sold and I won't hear anything. What specific area is the rear frame rust prevalent in, this cause breaking frames, holes thru? Does water tend to collect in a certain area or is this more of an issue with road salts? Thanks for taking the time to answer.

 

[NCjeff]

I wouldnt worry too much if its on the Eastern side of the state, say Charlotte / Greensboro east, not too much snow and salt. If its out in the mountains, then yes it could have a lot more rust on it.

It really depends where the vehicle spent most of its life. They might have moved down here from upstate New York and it could be trashed. Carfax, and see where the vehicle was located most of the time.

If its around Wilmington, let me know and I'll go check it out.

 

[NoToyz]

NCjeff Thanks for the info and offer to take a look. But I think this one is sold already, post removed from CL and owner not answering emails, thanks all the same

 

[98roamer]

my 98 with 175k, came from Cleveland and lives in Cincinnati. So I fight the rust but, so far, all of it is surface rust expect: Bumpers (front and back) and the seam at the bottom of DS rear door, is showing rust at the weather seam.

This next spring I will be replacing the bumbers and getting the door rust fixed. Be prepared for stuck bolts.

 

[NC_IslandRunner]

I wouldnt worry too much if its on the Eastern side of the state, say Charlotte / Greensboro east, not too much snow and salt. If its out in the mountains, then yes it could have a lot more rust on it.

It really depends where the vehicle spent most of its life. They might have moved down here from upstate New York and it could be trashed. Carfax, and see where the vehicle was located most of the time.

If its around Wilmington, let me know and I'll go check it out.

Anything near the coast is liable to have worse salt issues than from the mountains. Central NC is a safe bet, not much salt here.

 

[89s rule]

Tacomas seemed to be worse than any 3rd gen 4runners I looked at. I looked at a low mileage 2003 Taco that was from Hickory and then Rock Hill area entire bac of the frame was flakey. Best advice I can give you if you try to get something from several hours away is get tons of pictures of everything up close, asking is not enough, once you get pictures expect it to be worse than the pictures and you will probably be about right. I took several 2+ hrs each way trips when I was looking for a 4runner/Taco last time, drove me nuts when people insisted it was clean, never wrecked, and you pull up and it obviously has been hit at least once.

 

[NCjeff]

Anything near the coast is liable to have worse salt issues than from the mountains. Central NC is a safe bet, not much salt here.

I'd have to disagree, unless the vehicle has been on one of the islands its whole life. Lived at the beach nearly my whole life and rust is minimal.