Tailgate body rust

[CJ3Flyr]

I had read about this potential issue a while ago and decided to have a look for myself. I was surprised to find that even in my mild climate, minimal off-roading, no spills, no rains with the windows down that my T4R has a developing issue. The factory weather-strip seems to trap water along the bottom edge and sets the body up for some rust development.

Rather than hassle with Toyota I decided to proactively address the issue. I may have shot myself in the foot but I promise, it won’t be the first time.

Below is more text and some annotated pics showing what I found and did about it.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii246/CJ3Flyr/TailGt1.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii246/CJ3Flyr/TailGt2.jpg

I wiped/cleaned this entire edge and treated it (top & bottom) with the rust product shown below.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii246/CJ3Flyr/TailGt3.jpg

Some of you may have noted the antenna for my wireless back-up and wonder if that isn't causing me problems. I don't think so as both sides were pretty equally messed up.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii246/CJ3Flyr/TailGt4.jpg

[CJ3Flyr]

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii246/CJ3Flyr/TailGt5.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii246/CJ3Flyr/TailGt6.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii246/CJ3Flyr/TailGt7.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii246/CJ3Flyr/TailGt8.jpg

[CJ3Flyr]

After swabbing out the nasty stuff I cut a little hole in the bottom of the strip to function as a drain. There was a substantial amout of water along the strip. With the OEM setup there's no place for the water to get out. Based on where this strip is and the bumper etc the only way that my hole let water in is to swamp the whole vehicle. I guess a 2nd way would be to lower the spare and aim a pressure washer at the top, underside of the bumper and I'm not sure that would do it...
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii246/CJ3Flyr/TailGt9.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii246/CJ3Flyr/TailGt10.jpg

I hope this helps somebody else...



:rockon:

[bulldog]

Cool stuff, thx for all the pix.

[TNcaveman]

I looked at an '03 4runner that was from PA - the frame had a serious coating of rust all over the frame - one of the many reasons I did not get that one.

I've noticed that my 04 has more "little rust spots" on the frame than my old runner at 485,000 miles. And I have almost no offroad time yet. And, we rarely have snow or salty roads. Might not be a bad idea to douse it down with some silicone or black Rustoleum?

Steve