Radiator Support Rust (1 Viewer)

[Kernal]

Looks like a couple of slit vents on the upper side of that support which also might let water (and road salt/chemicals) into that area. Appears also that there's no seam sealer where those panel sections are spot welded together, also a place for rust to start. The spot welds themselves IME can rust but that often is just surface rust (see photo copied from above, not my vehicle):

IDK why Toyota put ? vent/slit on top of that panel (smaller arrow left)??

FWIW, when I replaced the radiator in my 97 model a few years ago I cleaned, primed and painted all the hidden areas below/around the radiator including the area underneath the radiator reservoir tank and battery, cross members, etc. however I didn't spray anything inside the radiator support section. This thread is a good reminder to include spraying rustproofing inside that support panel/assembly, something like 3M Cavity wax or Boeshield.

When I get a chance I'll look at that area closer to see how rustproofing might be applied inside, that rubber bumper on the right top of the photo above should have a hole underneath large enough to snake the spray wand down into the cavity. It could also be sprayed on/into those weld seams.

 

[Tyland Cruiser]

When I replaced the radiator in my 97 model a few years ago I cleaned, primed and painted all the hidden areas below/around the radiator including the area underneath the radiator reservoir tank, cross members, etc. however I didn't spray anything inside the radiator support section. This thread is a good reminder to include spraying rustproofing inside that support panel/assembly, something like 3M Cavity wax or Boeshield.

It appears there are a couple of slit vents on the upper side of that support which might let water (and road salt/chemicals) into that area. Also appears that there's no seam sealer where some of those panel sections are spot welded together, also a place for rust to start. The spot welds themselves IME can rust but that often is just surface rust (see photo copied from above, not my vehicle):

View attachment 3854447



FWIW, when I get a chance I'll look at that area closer to see if there's an opening to get a long spray wand inside. That rubber bumper on the right top of the photo above should have a hole underneath large enough to snake the spray wand down into the cavity.

Looks like a couple of slit vents on the upper side of that support which also might let water (and road salt/chemicals) into that area. Appears also that there's no seam sealer where those panel sections are spot welded together, also a place for rust to start. The spot welds themselves IME can rust but that often is just surface rust (see photo copied from above, not my vehicle):

IDK why Toyota put ? vent/slit on top of that panel (smaller arrow left)??

View attachment 3854447

FWIW, when I replaced the radiator in my 97 model a few years ago I cleaned, primed and painted all the hidden areas below/around the radiator including the area underneath the radiator reservoir tank and battery, cross members, etc. however I didn't spray anything inside the radiator support section. This thread is a good reminder to include spraying rustproofing inside that support panel/assembly, something like 3M Cavity wax or Boeshield.

When I get a chance I'll look at that area closer to see how rustproofing might be applied inside, that rubber bumper on the right top of the photo above should have a hole underneath large enough to snake the spray wand down into the cavity. It could also be sprayed on/into those weld seams.

Great observations. The lack of seam seals would would definitely let moisture and salt in. The new core support appears to have the seams sealed, where my old one did not. Perhaps that's the manufacturing flaw for later model 80s. I will apply some 3M cavity wax where I can here as a precaution. Thank you.

 

[Kernal]

Thank you for posting this up.

Previously I've sprayed 3M cavity wax into multiple open and blind cavities in my 80 including the tail gate, hatch, quarter panels, cross members, box sections, door pillars, hood, doors, fenders, and rocker panels. The rear most section of the rocker panel has another separate cavity you can get to by removing one small plastic plug on the bottom rear of the rocker panels. Also, while working in the quarter panel from the cargo area, spray around the wheel hump, forward and down, to where it meets the rocker panel ("dog leg" area) with a long wand. This IMO is where rust often first starts in the rocker panels. If possible I clean areas out and let them dry before spraying the wax. Other areas to protect, when the carpet is pulled up, is over each body mount bolt and into those cavities. FWIW

The radiator support discussed in this thread will now get cavity wax applied internally soon.