Should I pass on a "free" 1997 4runner - rot issues (1 Viewer)

[LongIsland60]

A friend is offering a fairly well-cared for 1997 4runner (SR5 I think). There was a leak in the rear diff - it looks like the whole housing apparently rotted. It drives, but needs topping off apparently.


I called the mechanic who last looked at it and he said new rear end for sure. But the other caveat is that in his experience some of the 4runners just apparently have serious rot issues and everything under there needs replacement - fuel lines, brake lines, etc.

Is this a common issue and what would I be looking at for replacement?

I think I'll just take the truck and see what is going on there. I don't have the time or ability to work on it myself.

I would like to have the 4runner - it would be a better DD than my aging FJ60.

Thanks

 

[ken_79-fj40]

That's a rather odd place to see that much rot. Unless they parked it in salt water or something. My 00 4Runner is really solid with no rust issues at 200k miles. And it's always been in New England. My 05 Tacoma is a mess underneath though. Of course it was built here and the 4Runner was built in Japan. If that's all that's wrong with it I would pick it up and throw in a used rear axle for a few hundred bucks.

 

[LongIsland60]

That's a rather odd place to see that much rot. Unless they parked it in salt water or something. My 00 4Runner is really solid with no rust issues at 200k miles. And it's always been in New England. My 05 Tacoma is a mess underneath though. Of course it was built here and the 4Runner was built in Japan. If that's all that's wrong with it I would pick it up and throw in a used rear axle for a few hundred bucks.

Yeah - I am gonna pick it up and then see what the deal is. The mechanic I talked to seems very wary of it, but I can't really see too much risk.

I doubt he ever parked in salt water, but you never know. The diff housing apparently is just toast...

 

[LongIsland60]

Some added info - My friend says he used JB weld twice on the rear diff (took cover off) and that each time it lasted about 6 months. I don;t think he drove it much after that. He's got plenty of other vehicles and his wife is not going to go along with the temporary repairs any more.

 

[raydouble]

At the very worst, you could part it out.

Definitely worth free.

 

[LongIsland60]

At the very worst, you could part it out.

Definitely worth free.

Yep, I agree. Planning on getting it this week.

 

[Duane]

well free is free..I'll agree with raydouble. Saying that though I moved from the dry western prairies down to the great lakes area for 4 years and man i never and I mean never fixed things out west as I did near the lakes on local vehicles. The humidity and all the road salt.
It can take a lot of time and $ to fix things so be ok with that going into it.
It was common place to replace fuel tanks, brake and fuel lines, brake parts in rear drums, I recall getting pinned against a curb one day and couldn't back up... had to drive on the curb and back n forth to get tha darn brake to release finally, electrical connectors just green with rot.. locals fix was to cut out the connector, solder wires together and heat shrink over top, etc etc... we actually drilled holes in the body and sprayed an oil mix everywhere each fall to prevent body rust... had to park it on the street for a few days to let all the excess drip off rather than on the driveway... you might want to look at the shape of the frame, the exhaust system, floor boards, etc etc
Every time you have to put a wrench on a bolt it can turn into a penetrating oil, torch, drill and tap sort of affair. I just remember taking 3days I think it was getting the 6 spark plugs out af an old V6 chevy pickup beater I had bought... I really didn't want to break the plugs off or strip the threads out of the head.

 

[d0ubledown]

Some added info - My friend says he used JB weld twice on the rear diff (took cover off) and that each time it lasted about 6 months. I don;t think he drove it much after that. He's got plenty of other vehicles and his wife is not going to go along with the temporary repairs any more.

how does one take off the "rear diff cover" on a toyota 8" rear axle? or are you referring to the drain plug?

if its free, id take it and see if its worth swapping in a new axle. but if you dont have the time or ability/space to work on it yourself...then having a non running vehicle with no means to tear it apart, catalog, then post up parts for sale...shipping..etc isnt worth your time.

if its really rotted out, i wouldnt want to touch any of the bolts under there...

 

[LongIsland60]

how does one take off the "rear diff cover" on a toyota 8" rear axle? or are you referring to the drain plug?

if its free, id take it and see if its worth swapping in a new axle. but if you dont have the time or ability/space to work on it yourself...then having a non running vehicle with no means to tear it apart, catalog, then post up parts for sale...shipping..etc isnt worth your time.

if its really rotted out, i wouldnt want to touch any of the bolts under there...

Brain fart - yes - he just applied it to the housing. My mistake. I am not familiar with the parts or the car - never owned a 4runner.