Hey look! Rust!

Man you guys were quick on this thread. I usually have some advice on the rust threads but you guys covered most of it it seems.

My best advice for OP (@drupapa) as others have mentioned is to check Toyota.com/owners and make sure that the stuff that's been sprayed on was from the dealer and was a recall.

My truck (same year, color, trim actually) got a frame last year and wasn't that bad but only because the previous owner(s) neglected to have the frame coated by the dealer which really helped out in the long run.

 

You probably want to treat the underside of the bed with a rust encapsulator like POR-15 to help prevent further deterioration. Hopefully the bulge isn't soft. At that point, it would be rotted completely through.

 

I don't see anything that looks too bad. I had worse on my old T4R. Start one section at a time and piece it together. Just be ready to spend a good bit of time underneath with a wire wheel, which it sounds like you are.
It's hard to tell, but some of the pictures make it look like it was spray painted over. Good luck with your project, and welcome!

 

That truck looks good to go! Stout! Take a wire wheel brush and spread some grease on that frame if u want

 

This would not scare me. But, as others have said, clean the scale off, treat and paint the worst areas. Make sure to protect the weak areas;
1) Frame stiffeners are a weak spot. (This area is not a frame overlap) Loads of conversations about them and that area
2) cross member where the spare tire hangs. The frame attach points on each end are susceptible to rusting, which really goes for every cross member under the truck
3) Frame horns up at the forward end of the frame, just aft of the front suspension. Those box areas can hold alot of dirt and muck..

Just do an overall complete cleaning of every little corner you can reach. I use Fluidfilm and a spray extension hose to reach inside all the boxed areas.

 

Thanks for the info N84434, your thread on the subject has honestly been really inspirational. When I first got the truck I immediately felt sick and depressed but the more and more I get into it it the less worried I become. I started to needle scale in the dark tonight and it was really motivating, I think most sections are in really good shape actually. I'm a novice mechanic at best but I'm excited to learn and love the restoration process, I've been restorating old woodworking tools for years now. I'll keep up with occasional updates if people seem interested and selfishly so I can bounce questions of the community without having to dig with the search function .

Initial plans are work on the frame little by little for what I can reach scaling, brushing, wire wheeling, cleaning and chassis savering, while simultaneously doing brake jobs all around and new suspension.

Then I'll take the bed off sometime next year and get the top of the fame and address the bottom of the bed.

I do want to drive this truck on the beach from time to time so I'm definitely airing on the side of caution when it comes to rust prevention. Although 99% of its life will be a pounding pavement in mostly dry climates.

This truck is so fun to drive, I just came from driving a 97 f-350 7.3 diesel dually and man what a difference (obviously) This engine seems so quite its almost unbelievable. The drivetrain feels so smooth its crazy. Our 2017 prius seems just as loud or louder and honestly doesn't shift nearly as smoothly. Plus this is my first 4x4 and I'm just giddy.

We used to park the prius at the edge of the sand but not anymore...

 

Everyone here loved build threads and updates! You already see the value of that kind of thing from @N84434 's thread. You should see how long @Tundra2 's thread is (and how much help was delivered). Bring it on!