Buy or Pass?

Welp, after 346k from my 3rd gen 4Runner and 3 kids later, I'm ready for a bigger vehicle. I'm currently looking at purchasing a 2013 Rock Warrior Tundra with 165k. It came from Vermont, so I asked for pictures of the frame. What's the verdict? Buy or pass?

 

Doesnt look too bad. The only possibly concerning part would be the rust along the top of that shock mount on the frame by the welds.

 

Agree^ But it also looks like it may have had several coats of paint over the years....so you may not be seeing everything.

 

Something was sprayed on that frame at some point.

 

It is pretty suspicious that the sway bar link is the exact same color as the frame.

 

That's exactly what caught my attention.

 

hmm, maybe that rubberized undercoating? If it is rubberized undercoating, that would raise some flags.

 

How far are you from the truck? If you are close, I would see if you and the seller could arrange to get a frame inspection done....just an idea.

 

This was just sprayed. What's going on with the liner?

 

If those pictures were scratch and sniff, you’d smell nothing but Krylon or Rustoleum.
I’m in CT and have my share of surface rust, but this looks shady to me.

 

That's a Hard Pass for me, fresh paint, hidden rust or what ever. Check out that exhaust near the muffler.

 

I'd need to see a safety inspection from an uninterested third party to even consider it.

 

Those are not sufficient frame pics. Super common to cover the spots that show from the side of the truck.

Get proper pics from the underside that shows some cross members. If you can’t get that, walk away or get a third party inspection to send you pics and a report.

 

You need more pics or the frame, he sent you nothing. Also ask for cam tower pics. Albeit I’m in a 1st gen so I hold no weight here. Is his shock spayed over in the 2nd pic? Leafs are sprayed.
Edit. Your legs are made for waking. That’s just what I’d do

 

Pass

 

Yep, judging on the amount of rust at the shock perch and the weld points at the frame, that thing is a rust bucket. They probably sprayed it 5 minutes before they took the pictures. I would pass. Prices in CO are coming down fast, you would be better off to buy a plane ticket and buy a western truck.

 

I would pass on it. The fuel tank straps, brake line fittings and exhaust (especially near the muffler) look pretty rusted which makes me suspect how bad the frame might be beneath the frame coating.

 

When something is obviously sprayed, then it is undoubtedly covering something up. It makes you wonder about everything else that has been "disguised" by a botched rattle can. I would pass unless you can actually see it in person and make a better evaluation of what was hidden, and more importantly... WHY?
If just touching up surface rust, you wouldn't blanket the entire wheel well with a monochromatic fresh coat, not a good sign.

 

I sense a coverup going on........

 

I don't know what you guys are talking about. For a 10 year old Vermont truck that thing is pristine. If you told me that was in Florida I'd be a bit more concerned. OP how much is the seller trying to get for it.

 

How can you tell it’s pristine? All we see are frame via the wheel wells that has been covered with something. Not enough info to judge.

 

I live in Buffalo, NY. I have the same problems with rust. Look at how dull the wheels look. I am so glad I bought mine from Virginia Beach. My advice, go South.

Mine had 165K miles on it also.

 

My thoughts exactly. Somebody is hiding something…pass, don’t buy someone else’s problems.

 

Pass

 

That's Toyota's treatment for frames with rust but that passed their inspection. If it failed the frame is replaced. Otherwise the frame gets undercoating. From what I can see that truck is most likely from a southern rust belt state. It has some rust but not a lot. I've seen plenty that passed Toyota's inspection in much worse shape. I would need to see more of the rest of the truck but that frame is still very solid. What gives it away is the flat part of the frame. It's still smooth. Had it been rusty like that perch (which needs attention) it would be pitted or bubbly. Secondly the bolt on the frame. When there's a lot of rust the heads of bolts on the frame loose their hex shape.

If it was me I would want to see it in person up on a lift. Look for spots like that perch that could have been covered by undercoating. Make sure the metal is still plenty solid. Also look for rust on the underside of the bed. Another place to look are the rear crossmembers of the frame. It's thinner steel and tend to see lots of salt so it'll rust through before the rest of the frame.