Ugent help needed for evaluating frame rust

[seanysx2001]

Will pick up a 2000 LX470 tonight, but found some rust on the frame. Is this serious and a safety hazard, or is it just surface rust? I'm in the Boston area.

Thanks a lot in advance!!!

 

[seanysx2001]

One more photo. The rust seems only at the bottoms of the frame, but the top and sides of the frame look clean.

 

[KLF]

Personally, I'd walk away from that.

 

[seanysx2001]

Another photo showing the bottom of the frame. I'm waiting online for your opinions. Thanks again!!!

 

[Sandroad]

I don't think that specific photo shows a safety hazard, but it's more than "surface rust". It's an indication you should give it a complete look underneath and also on the body to see what else you find. I can't offer anything further without more pics, just go into that purchase with your eyes open.

 

[Sandroad]

Ok, with that second photo, I'd be more concerned about the rust. That's very heavy frame rust and I'll be there's more and perhaps worse elsewhere.

 

[seanysx2001]

Thanks for the quick reply, KLF and Sandroad!

The truck is clean except this. It has 179k miles, and timing belt was changed not long ago. Also the transmission was replaced by Lexus at 87K. The owner showed me a receipt to prove that. He asks for $6700, and I offered $6000.

 

[ogsuv]

It's bad but not dangerous In my opinion. It looks like my 99 I just sold. I was more concerned with the rear qtrs and windshield but not the frame.

 

[badlander]

Mine is nowhere even close to that bad and I kick myself every time I have to deal with a snapped off bolt. With that amount of rust those torsion bar adjusters look like they may be a big problem to me. Toyota assembles all fasteners dry as a bone and consequently they tend to rust together - even in the best of environments. If you plan an doing any suspension mods where you'll be doing a lot of wrenching under there I'd walk away. If not, probably be fine for a daily driver. The price sounds pretty good......

 

[jLB]

That could be normal in that part of the country, but it's scary to someone who lives in a snow/salt free area!

 

[ponytl]

Funny how we in rust free areas see one bubble on a body or one bolt that won't turn and we RUN... I own an all original 85k mile 1959 electra 225 convertible with less rust that that and I still think it's rusty several cars over 30 yrs old with zero rust.... guess it's all what you are use to and comfortable with... I just prefer a wrench to a torch when I'm removing a bolt...

 

[hkeller]

Man, get you one from CarMax from the south. That is rough and working on it will be a bear. These things run forever, but rust eats them in a few years up north.

 

[Stylo07]

It looks like the rust is verging into territory where its compromising the integrity of the metal. I'd take a scraper and wire brush to a section and see what you're left with, and go from there.

 

[2001LC]

I recently heard that Toyota took care of a 100 past the ten year mark, for some real bad rust. To qualify rust must perforate the metal. This looks like it would qualify.

Personally I not buy rust unless Toyota agreed in advance to take care of (replace).

 

[seanysx2001]

Thanks for all the inputs, guys! I finally walked away.

 

[m3fan]

I'm normally the guy that chimes in and says "no big deal", but damn.

 

[Ali FJ80]

Smart that you walked on this. Cant believe how bad the rust gets out east. Buy remote and ship it if you can.

 

[bctlex]

I recently heard that Toyota took care of a 100 past the ten year mark, for some real bad rust. To qualify rust must perforate the metal. This looks like it would qualify.

Personally I not buy rust unless Toyota agreed in advance to take care of (replace).

Just something to think about, even if Toyota agree to replace the frame, I am not sure personally I want to go that road. I owned the first gen Sequoia, which Toyota recall for rust. If the car isnt rusted as bad, they would spray a rust preventative stuff all over the frame like what they did to mine, or if it is really bad, they replace the frame. I have read that the vehicles with the replaced frame end up with all kind of problems. Imagine all of those bolts that are frozen, not to mention the electrical wires that may get disconnected by accident and other potential issues.