How much rust is too much rust (used Toyota 4Runner) (vehicles, chip)

[Shaolin Shadowboxing]

in the northeast it's almost impossible to find a 4th gen 4Runner without a somewhat rusty frame.

i know i *could* travel to a southern state but that seems like a massive hassle.

thus, i am on the search up here, for now.

here is a 2006 i am checking out:







and a 2008:

[JustMike77]

Reason # 27 why I love living in California. Lots of 60's era cars around with ZERO rust.

[Shaolin Shadowboxing]

Originally Posted by JustMike77

Reason # 27 why I love living in California. Lots of 60's era cars around with ZERO rust.

i know

[Me007gold]

I would forget the 2008. It looks like it is rusted through in a place or two. Unless I am seeing thngs the mount where the drivers side control arm mounts to is rusted through.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by Me007gold

I would forget the 2008. It looks like it is rusted through in a place or two. Unless I am seeing thngs the mount where the drivers side control arm mounts to is rusted through.

I agree, too much money to replace all of that to make it safe. I have seen 1995s here with no rust. A little on the body is OK but that's structural.

[Shaolin Shadowboxing]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

I agree, too much money to replace all of that to make it safe. I have seen 1995s here with no rust. A little on the body is OK but that's structural.

on both it's structural or just the 2008?

i can keep looking. no real rush. but damn i doubt i'll find anything WITHOUT rust here in the NE.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by Me007gold

I would forget the 2008. It looks like it is rusted through in a place or two. Unless I am seeing thngs the mount where the drivers side control arm mounts to is rusted through.

I don't see that. Just looks like surface rust to me. Not good, but not a deal breaker. If that's the worst of it, this truck should be fine for many years to come.

[ukrkoz]

Honestly, I see nothing special or dangerous here. Rear diff simply has paint chipped and of course it's covered in superficial rust.
The rest looks like superficial rust too. I'd run some Marine Jelly on it all and spray paint with some engine enemal or, better, cover with rust proof mastic.
For the heck of it, grab long pry bar and try prying on control arms, just to make sure. I see no rust through but it's also hard to tell without close up.
You can also grab wire brush and run on that rust in most crucial areas. If it brushes right off and there is solid metal underneath, don't worry about it. FLAKES you do not want to see.

[jambo101]

Amazes me why rust proofing hasnt taken off in the USA like it has here in Canada, a $100 yearly oil spray of the car will prevent rust from ever happening to your car.
Two of the many franchises=
https://www.krown.com/process/

Metropolitan Rust Proofing | A Unique Expertise in Quebec

[Shaolin Shadowboxing]

Originally Posted by Blind Cleric

I don't see that. Just looks like surface rust to me. Not good, but not a deal breaker. If that's the worst of it, this truck should be fine for many years to come.

Originally Posted by ukrkoz

Honestly, I see nothing special or dangerous here. Rear diff simply has paint chipped and of course it's covered in superficial rust.
The rest looks like superficial rust too. I'd run some Marine Jelly on it all and spray paint with some engine enemal or, better, cover with rust proof mastic.
For the heck of it, grab long pry bar and try prying on control arms, just to make sure. I see no rust through but it's also hard to tell without close up.
You can also grab wire brush and run on that rust in most crucial areas. If it brushes right off and there is solid metal underneath, don't worry about it. FLAKES you do not want to see.

interesting. not really knowing much about vehicles though how can i tell during the pre-purchase process whether this rust is a serious concern or just superficial?