Advice on how much rust is "too much"

Hi, I don't know if I picked the right forum here, but I'm just hunting for some advice/experience.

We are looking at purchasing a 2007 Tundra, and it has some rust on the undercarriage. It was originally up in New York, and we're in Utah, so I'm just unfamiliar/uncomfortable with how much of a concern rust would/should be.

I've attached some pictures that I took of the rustier spots.

My questions are:
1) Should I be concerned about this rust? Will it cause problems in the future?
2) If we get it, do I let it be or should I try to get some undercoating put on or something?
3) Any other thoughts or advice?

 

hoo...i'd pass up on that.

 

Id pass as well. From looking at it, it doesn't look beyond saving quite yet, but that shows that the previous owners did not take care of the truck and perform preventative maintenance as they should have. That would make me question how well they took care of the fluid changes, lubing etc.

 

Also, when you decide on a purchase, be sure to coat the undercarriage with some fluid film once or twice a year. That'll take care of preventative maintenance concerning rust.

 

FWIW, with regard to maintenance, the carfax shows the first owner had Toyota do all the scheduled maintenance, and then it was sold as a certified pre-owned. Given that was at 40k, and it is now at 110k.

 

It's up you you OP. In my opinion, it better be sold for a really good price because it would take quite a bit of work to bust that stuff off and seal it.

 

Sorry, I didn't mean to argue -- I really appreciate the thoughts.

 

not busting balls, but you're saying the first owner took care of it...that's all well and good, but i have my doubts the second owner took care of it as well.....

 

yeah, I'd pass...

buddy of mine bought a 4R that looked similar...
a) maintenance is a royal pain in the ass because everything's rusted... 30 minute jobs take 2 hours
b) if there's visible rust like that, i don't want to imagine what the inside of frame rails looks like - sooner enough you'll see... when you poke your finger through

 

I didn't take it as argumentative at all.

 

I would pass on it as well. It looks like majority of the rust is surface rust, but some of it could be troublesome to repair. The rust is also indicative of how well the previous owner took care of the truck, it suggests that it was not maintained as well as it could have been.

 

oh helllll nooooo.

 

This is why I am glad that I live in Oklahoma! Low Humidity, Very little snow = very little rust

 

You know, doc and I almost ended up moving to OKC before we came to Memphis!

 

Memphis would not be bad either, Oklahoma does not have much to do. I imagine there may be more to do there. Additionally my family is from TN as well.

 

Still a beautiful place to live IMO. You're right about Memphis having more to do....we love it here, but still ready to move back to BR.

after moving around multiple times in the past few years, we're ready to settle down and start a family.

 

I'd def find a different truck to buy.

 

If you're ever worried about rust, take a punch/chisel and hammer and see if you can perforate the frame. I would probably pass on that truck.

 

Pass it like bad bad gas bro...that truck is roached. FWIW...

 

Pass!!!!
I bought an 08 and the only rust is the inner part of the rear fender. If you chose to de-rust it, this is one of the best applications on the market paint on to a haze and let dry apply your color of paint a few minutes later

 

I would pass. You can find something better without the long term hassles. Welcome from CO!

 

pass

 

Being as most you guys that have posted so far are from warmer climates (except you CO folks) I thought I'd give the OP my take.

Being from Ohio and experiencing winter long salted/brined roads this truck doesn't really look that bad, other than the tailgate. I don't see chunks falling off (or anything close to that), the frame looks fine from what I can see. Driving on salty winter roads will quickly make your undercarriage look like this if you don't spray it down periodically.

It's not "roached" (I had to laugh at that) and tells you nothing about how the previous owner took care of the vehicle. I agree getting bolts out is gonna be a huge PITA.

Would I walk away? Not necessarily - but man, I don't like tailgate rust. I would also look at other options but keep this as a possibility.

 

I'll agree with you, I'm in NW PA and that's about normal for a 10 year old truck in this area. I've seen newer with rotted out fenders around here. Hell my 98 Cherokee is ready for its 3rd set of rockers and the quarter panels were gone years ago.

 

OH THAT SUCKS! DONT BUY ANYTHING FROM / IN THE SALT BELT!

 

I bought my truck out of Salt Lake City and have been having issues with rust. It didn't look anywhere near as bad as that truck and I had to cut (or break) a large percentage of the bolts off while installing aftermarket suspension components.

 

Your exactly right Mike, your points are well taken. Salt just destroys metal. Saw a large number of winter "salt roached out" cars and trucks in Penn and upstate NY last week..brutal.

 

The key is to spray all bolts for days prior to your planned project. Then heat and patience the day of.

OP - curious as to where you're located. If you're in a cold weather state and you're looking at older vehicles you may have to be lucky to find something in better shape.