Rusty GX Frame? Class Action Started for 4th Gen 4runner Owners, GX470 Owners may be added (3 Viewers)

[Rednexus]

Thanks, looks like the full kit is only $35. I'll add the frame plus to my to-do list as well.

 

[KeithMD]

I think what you are observing is the minimal gap between where the layers overlap going to pot. Water can get held there just by capillary action and surface tension probably given the gap is pretty small. You can see this overlap especially well up near the front most cab mount. The nice big square hole on the inside of the frame in that area adjacent to the cat has a double layer of metal. This is what’s rusting from the inside out, same way the Tacomas rust. So I can agree, you may be able to see pretty clean frame on the inside and have that section of frame just fall apart. It’s exactly what killed my 4Runner’s frame, and what I caught very early on my 470 in the same exact area and have hopefully halted as the rest of my frame is super clean.

That’s where it starts, then any further accumulation of say road salt, etc compounds it. Which is why if you look at a lot of current Tacomas, 4Runners, GX460s, etc you will find they have a ton of plastic frame hole plugs from factory. Toyota even added additional plugs at the transition from boxed frame to sandwiched C-channel on Tacomas. And then you’ve got ambient heat from the cats contributing too.

Funny enough the passenger side on these different vehicles universally develop issues before driver side. Mostly hypothesized to be due to added water drainage on the frame from the AC drain. Some people call bs on that hypothesis.

Anyway, hopefully it works out. I don’t have much hope.

Does anyone have a picture of the AC drain line location? It was mentioned that extending this hose would eliminate drainage onto the pax side frame.

 

[NJGX]

Does anyone have a picture of the AC drain line location? It was mentioned that extending this hose would eliminate drainage onto the pax side frame.

This is on a 4th gen 4R, but same spot as the GX. Might have to remove the engine plastics if you still have them to see it from the top, or the splash guard in the wheel well area to see it from the side.

 

[KeithMD]

This is on a 4th gen 4R, but same spot as the GX. Might have to remove the engine plastics if you still have them to see it from the top, or the splash guard in the wheel well area to see it from the side.

Thank you. This appears to be a similar location on my Tacoma.

 

[RustyGX]

Does anyone have a picture of the AC drain line location? It was mentioned that extending this hose would eliminate drainage onto the pax side frame.

It is near the body mount under the front passenger door, but tucked further towards the center of the vehicle.

 

[RustyGX]

UPDATE to anyone following, Zoom call was rescheduled to today (Sept 28) at 3pm EST, here are the new link details:
Topic: Lexus GX470 Zoom Meeting
Time: Sep 28, 2021 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87560183514...
Meeting ID: 875 6018 3514
Passcode: 081470
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,87560183514#,,,,*081470# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,87560183514#,,,,*081470# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 875 6018 3514
Passcode: 081470
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kmZLfRu8E

 

[crfernandez613]

UPDATE to anyone following, Zoom call was rescheduled to today (Sept 28) at 3pm EST, here are the new link details:
Topic: Lexus GX470 Zoom Meeting
Time: Sep 28, 2021 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87560183514...
Meeting ID: 875 6018 3514
Passcode: 081470
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,87560183514#,,,,*081470# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,87560183514#,,,,*081470# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 875 6018 3514
Passcode: 081470
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kmZLfRu8E

What came from this?

 

[RustyGX]

I haven't been following it myself, I had a change in priorities, even though I was the one passing along the information... My frame is still rusty though!

 

[jdevtac]

What came from this?

I haven't been following it myself, I had a change in priorities, even though I was the one passing along the information... My frame is still rusty though!

They are still bs’ing in court as of this February.

 

[ballscb]

I recently un fortunately purchased a gx470 with quite a bit of rust I didn’t catch. (Purchased in colorado). Went after it with needle scaler, die grinder and some rust remover. Hit it with wool wax black after. Hopefully it holds up for 5 years or so would be ideal. They certainly seem to rust out quicker. Love the vehicle though. Rides amazing. 142k 2003. Putting some sliders and suspension upgrade in soon

 

[TLar25]

View attachment 2942444I recently un fortunately purchased a gx470 with quite a bit of rust I didn’t catch. (Purchased in colorado). Went after it with needle scaler, die grinder and some rust remover. Hit it with wool wax black after. Hopefully it holds up for 5 years or so would be ideal. They certainly seem to rust out quicker. Love the vehicle though. Rides amazing. 142k 2003. Putting some sliders and suspension upgrade in soon

View attachment 2942445

Looks like it was all just surface rust, unless this wasn't the bad areas

 

[ballscb]

Seems like lots of it was surface but at a certain point definitely pitting going on and inside frame had some decent chunks. The front door body mounts were probably the worst but no holes etc. I’ll definitely say needle scalers are awesome for scaling rust etc. not a big mess like grinding, I think I paid 60 for it. Rear axle assembly had decent rust on top tie link connections etc but I got it pretty cleaned up and all that metal seems very think in general.

 

[ballscb]

Body mount before I was done cleaning up. You can see rust above in photo. Super fun work!

 

[jdevtac]

For anyone interested the NHTSA wiped their hands clean after their ~3+ year investigation citing their identified cases of catastrophic failures involved vehicles near ocean front. Which again doesn’t surprise me. I saw in a recent court document dump that the NHTSA denial was presented for the case so that probably doesn’t bode well for anyone crossing their fingers.

I’m not sure if the actual court proceedings are wrapping up but there have been continued updates.