4th Gen 4Runner Frame Swap Project Timelapse

[@JML1987]

DAMN that's the most work I've ever seen going into saving a 4Runner. Props.

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Haha thanks, it was certainly a lot of work! Well worth it though, it's been a very solid and dependable vehicle ever since.

[@4wdaddict41]

They are worth it i did that to my 3rd gen

[@FreedomFundsTV]

@@rustbeltwrenchers1310 I have a rusty frame on my 04 runner and I'm not a mechanic but I did find a couple really good quality frames in my area. any advice on moving forward with this repair? I've been sending emails to shops and my Motorhead friends on any tips that could save my runner it's a limited and immaculate so I hate to lose it over the frame.

[@FrankBullitt390]

@@FreedomFundsTV Call a chassis shop / race car builder. They'd be the only ones that "might" consider taking on something like that, or a Toyota mechanic that did the tacoma frame swaps solo. Also, unless your frame is VERY bad it could be fixed by a decent welder / fabricator.

[@Earthscapeoverland]

It's funny that we have to go to this extent to save our trucks due to the extreme price increase on the market for another one. Great job guys. I'm doing my 3rd gen right now by myself.

[@theshyguitarist]

Nice to see family helping one another out. Great job.

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

It was great getting the whole family involved, plenty of friends too!

[@descendinggod9740]

Wow this was so much work. Props to you guys. Me personally I wouldve just bought a new 4runner but seeing the cost of new vehicles i understand why

[@marshallcox134]

Merry Christmas guys yall did a awesome job, cool video!

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Thank you, and Merry Christmas!

[@PocketsandOutlaw]

WOW that is a lot of work! Absolutely amazing! Been considering getting a 4runner but the frame rot is one of the things giving me strong second thoughts (as well as the 'Toyota Tax' on em) Rust truly is the #1 killer of vehicles.

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Yup, that rust will really get ya! But honestly I wouldn't say it's a reason not to get a Toyota, just something to avoid when shopping, because pretty much every 4x4 has frame rust issues. Ford Explorer, Land Rover Discovery, Jeep YJ /TJ/JK all have frame rot issues in the salt belt. It's an unfortunate part of the game!

[@FrankBullitt390]

If enough people complained to Toyota they'd probably replace the frames for free like they did with the tacomas

[@sanjaygandhi7962]

Lots of people complained. Toyota would not offer free frame replacement. If they are forced into it, they will probably just buyback the vehicles as frame replacement will cost around $15,000 with labor.

[@marceldaigle2778]

@@sanjaygandhi7962your not far off, i seen invoices for tundras at over 21 000$

[@joepuperi721]

They were compelled by a legal settlement and/or lost law suit to replace Tacoma, Sequoia, and Tundra frames. Those were made in US. The claim the 4Runner frame was different because it was made in Japan. It is not. Just received notice that a court ruled in favor of Toyota for the 4th generation 4Runners, so it sounds like Toyota is leaving us with nothing but rotted frames...I came here trying to decide if self-replacement is a reasonable option...

[@FrankBullitt390]

@@joepuperi721 Have you made a stink with Toyota USA/Canada? Replacing a few here and there quietly is different than a full recall.

[@joepuperi721]

@@FrankBullitt390 yes...I've talked to multiple Toyota dealers. Called Toyota USA, wrote letter to Toyota and BBB. They aren't interested in doing anything. Heck, I'd even be happy if they offered a trade value "as if" the frame were good. Body and engine are both great...but I wouldn't sell it to another person.

[@paulreilly5308]

Amazing, incredibly involved job. Thanks for sharing.

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Thanks for commenting, glad you enjoyed!

[@neilnoon6936]

I own a 05 runner. The frame is going on mine too. Im shopping for another frame . My 4runner is my favorite SUV. Ill do what it takes to have a long life with it.. if you owned one youll understand. Most dependable machine Ive ever had. Aside from the rusted frame issues😂

[@001dman]

nice work on the swap. I've got a (now almost 5 year old restoration) going on my 01 tacoma.. New frame and all.. nice to see im not the only person crazy enough to do all this work to an old toyota truck

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Sounds like you're going deep with your project, it'll be very well worth it!

[@001dman]

@@rustbeltwrenchers1310 deep is an understatement. But this truck deserves it. Plan on Keeping it for a long time. My other truck is an 05 tundra that was a rollover.. life without projects is a boring life!

[@JONNYCABANI]

You all did a great job.

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Thank you!

[@izzyc.4746]

Bro that’s coo love it I’m having issues with my 2005 4runner

[@christopherobrien1156]

Video turned out great!

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Thanks!

[@user-ue6lu5vt2k]

Awesome project.

[@andingxiang2477]

you guys are so great

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Thank you!

[@louiewiessv5756]

Glad you didn’t give up on your vehicle over rust.

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Me too! Very worthwhile project.

[@sthomas7211]

Nice job , I use fluid film or Wool Wax with a 4 ft extension wand with a 360 degree spray tip . You just feed it in the frame, rockers , fender cavities, door cavities or anywhere moisture can sit. I do it every year before winter.

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Fluid Film is awesome!! It really does save frames. Have you found that it washes off easily? I'm hesitant to use it, just because I don't want to waste the money and time to put it on if it'll just come off next time I hose mud off the chassis. I also like to go through carwashes a lot in the winter to keep salt off the body and frame, and am concerned that would eventually wash it away.

[@sthomas7211]

@@rustbeltwrenchers1310 only in the areas that get beat by sand, snow, etc. The frames rust from the inside because that's where dirt sits. I flush the frame best I can every year too with a hose thoroughly.then do inside the frame . Wool Wax smells better. You can buy quarts or gallons online. You will need a spray gun with wand to do inside frame, doors, etc.if you want to keep the truck for a long time. If not find one that is rust free and do this so it never starts. Once it starts its hard to keep it from progressing.

[@sthomas7211]

@@rustbeltwrenchers1310 Waxoyl is another product I used to coat my frame when I first got it. I like it because it doesn't encapsulate the metal like most coatings.

[@jaymoar3561]

Wow real men! They don’t make em like this anymore. 💪🏻

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Haha thank you sir!

[@andyking4701]

Nice Work

[@tipr8739]

Project farm just did a rust prevention product comparison and the winner was POR-15

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

I'll give that video a watch! Personally I'm not a fan of POR-15 because it makes everything a pain to work on and if the coating it compromised it can trap moisture (my opinions), so I'm very interested to see what Project Farm has to say.

[@RevDevGaming]

The frame you replaced looks a lot better than mine 😂

[@stevenh4970]

Damn and here I am cutting off rusted sections and welding in new 1/8 inch plate steel. Then painting it with black enamel paint.

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

That's a great way to go! I didn't have a welder or any welding skills at the time, so I went this route and am very happy with the results. If/when it rusts again in 15 years I'll be patching it up with a welder I'm sure.

[@tipr8739]

Good stuff. How long did it take?

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

13 days start to finish. That includes cleaning up and painting the new frame. Could have chopped out a ton of time if I didn't spend so much time rebuilding the suspension parts.

[@johntaylor1947]

4 runners are worth the work

[@hlubkuv7]

You guys are dangerous.

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Thanks?

[@analogdad9235]

Iceman told Maverick the same thing...and look how Maverick turned out.

[@donotedit4646]

The old frame could’ve easily been fixed with Safe T cap or just some fabrication. Maybe it was cheaper for you guys to swap the frame but either way. You have a brand new 4R lol

[@elbart7557]

Wow!! Y’all did an awesome job!! Wanna do mine? 8)

[@Me-zo8yc]

I wish I had cool car friends and family!

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Buy a broken cool car, learn to work on it, and the rest will figure itself out. ;)

[@jimmyschmidt14]

😓

[@dominofive5075]

You guys are helping me work up the go-nads to do this myself with a 2006 v8. Where did you find the frame?

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Go for it!! Very worthwhile project. I got mine through East Coast Toyota Restorations.

[@dominofive5075]

@@rustbeltwrenchers1310 awesome job folks

[@scottpetrie8707]

Hats off to you guys!!! Be sure to give updates. My fear is that it’s just polishing a turd. Just painting the Chinese metal that is the issue to begin with will have the same outcome. Did you do anything to the inside of frame?

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

I agree, after 15 years of routine use and abuse this frame will be just as bad as the original. I didn't coat with anything special, because the frame gets packed full of dirt and rinsed out and just generally used pretty hard. So far I've been keeping on top of it, so it should last longer this time, as I assume the original owner took no extra precautions.

[@calmic75]

It's not the quality of steel. It's the quality of the factory rust proofing that caused rust issues in the 4runners

[@FrankBullitt390]

@@calmic75 Thats why you get it oil sprayed religiously, my 06 V8 is very solid and that's probably the only reason why

[@obazaar3363]

So all my Toyota people out there: When you buy any SUV, minivan, Sedan, especially trucks.. please for the love of God when you buy the car get it Zibarted under coating then spray that bar oil under the body. This will keep the value of your car high for many many year. Also during winter please do an under body wash once a week when its a sunny day outside and wash off all that salt.

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Yes yes yes! Regular washing and slather with oil! My new frame still looks great going into it's third Michigan winter thanks to obsessive washing.

[@FrankBullitt390]

NO, you do not use any rubber coating on the frame, look it up on here, it locks in moisture and rots it from the inside out. Get it oil sprayed every fall and it'll last forever. Fluid film, Krown, corrosion free, etc. Its $125 and they spray the absolute sh!t out of it for an hour. The underside of my 4runner is slimy grease and solid as a rock its been sprayed so many times. Good annual oil sprays is the only thing that will save a frame.

[@sanjaygandhi7962]

I think that keeping your vehicle outdoors in the winter will also reduce rust formation. Storing the car in a warm garage will accelerate rust formation.

[@tonyb9225]

I purchased a 2005 limited 4runner($675) that has major frame rust...major. I've been quoted $4500 to fully repair the frame. My purpose for this vehicle is to use it 3-4 times per year(2 weeks per) for hauling, business, etc. when I'm in that part of the country. I'm trying to decided if it's worth repairing or if I'm better to dump it and pay a few grand more for another one without the rust issue. I'd sure appreciate any input. Thx.

[@Suprakid23]

This would be the dream to get to do this. How bad was your original frame ?

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

I probably had another year or two in it before it was properly dangerous. I had planned to start collecting parts the year I did this project, but everything fell into place quickly so I took the opportunity and got it done.

[@NARFALICIOUS]

what did you clean it with and coat it with? And how is it holding up so far?

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

After sanding down the rusty spots and wire wheeling the whole thing, I just cleaned with denatured alcohol. Painted with Rustoleum flat black enamel paint, which has held up very well to 3 Michigan winters so far! This year I'm going to touch up some spots and coat the whole thing in Fluid Film before they salt the roads.

[@nickschuldt9229]

Is it possible to swap the frame without taking the engine out? Just raise the whole thing up then secure the body and engine and then drop the frame? Or is there a reason why?

[@olbabybeard]

Can you do it again? Lol I need more detail and different camera angles. How much did the frame cost ya and how much do you think doin this yourselves saved you?

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

If only I had put more effort into filming it! I still kick myself about that haha. The frame cost me $1500, Toyota has this as a 40 hour job with 2 techs so I'm sure I saved a couple grand doing it myself.

[@ryanhuffman1225]

@@rustbeltwrenchers1310 more than a couple grand, my tundra is getting done for free because of the safety recall and very specific requirements that need to be met. They expect my bill to be no less than $11,000

[@PocketsandOutlaw]

@@ryanhuffman1225 It's a real dang shame that the Tundra got the recall but the 4R didn't. Aren't they the same frame?

[@macgreely9188]

How long did it take you total time? I have an 05 & the rear link mounts on the frame are rusted very bad & so is the radiator crossmember up front. Obviously the rest of the frame is in bad shape as well so Im looking for a solution because I absolutely love my 4Runner. Also, where did you get your frame at? I may have to end up swapping it myself as well, so I'm curious as to where you got your new frame for $1500?

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

It took 14 days, could shave off a lot of time if you don't worry so much about cleaning up every little part along the way. I got my frame from East Coast Toyota Restorations.

[@franciscomirandaiii4000]

@@rustbeltwrenchers1310 Are they OEM frame?

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

@@franciscomirandaiii4000 Yes, East Coast Toyota Restorations was able to find me an OEM frame. It wasn't brand new, it came off a salvaged 4Runner that had the transmission go out. No accident damage and no rust!

[@javrilaalvarado8666]

hi, what about the frame VIN number? is legal to change frames? I have a rusted 84 truck, and I want to replace frame too

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

I think it depends on your state. Michigan doesn't have inspections, so doesn't really matter I don't think. Plus, the VIN on my old frame was illegible due to extreme rust, so it kind of makes matching VIN numbers a moot point imo.

[@johnsnedeker2920]

Where did you get a good frame

[@aresz5932]

Nice where did you get the frame? I’m having a hard time looking for one for my 4runner

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

I got mine from East Coast Toyota Restorations.

[@elonsus9747]

It’ll last indefinitely assuming the frame doesn’t get rusty again.

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

That it will! And I'm going to do my best to keep it from getting rusty again.

[@4wdaddict41]

Forklift is what i used

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

That would definitely work! If I had access to one I would have done the same thing

[@4wdaddict41]

@@rustbeltwrenchers1310 rent one

[@ryevdee6064]

What spray is that you're using?

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Just regular Rustoleum enamel flat black paint. It's held up great so far.

[@dusk7519]

Where did you guys get the new frame?

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

I got it from East Coast Toyota Restorations in Georgia.

[@Toxedd]

Moment you started painting with cans it was wrong 😄

[@alexandervargas492]

What are you doing about the VIN#?

[@aemravan]

the VIN is on the body, not the frame...?

[@alexandervargas492]

I'm pretty sure they are stamped on the passenger side of the box frame

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

I'm not worrying about it, no inspections in Michigan. Not sure what I'd do if I lived someplace where it matters.

[@aaronbellman3262]

Fuck I wish I knew how to do this

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

There is a LOT to learn. Before this project I had only done suspension work, brakes, and a timing belt. I learned a lot real quick through this, but it is very daunting if you encounter anything that you absolutely cannot figure out.

[@rantabsolain1759]

What’s with the socks???

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

😂😂

[@jamesnewman5204]

I've never heard of a frame swap

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

Now you have! Loads of work.

[@eleemm2638]

the old frame didnt even look that bad lmao

[@rustbeltwrenchers1310]

It wasn't thaaaaaaat bad but it sure wasn't great. I was originally planning to wait a year or two, but all the pieces fell together and I had the time so I took the opportunity and knocked it out.

[@hercules2217]

All that work in labour just to fix a truck that's worth no more then 7K on the market.