clubsport

so i bought a blizzard pearl 2004 gx470 with 51k miles on it and there is heavy undercarriage rust with the passenger side front tow hook (u shaped) about almost to break off if i tried to use it, the car came from massachussettes so is this normal any concern i should have? or how to fix this or am i screwed? thanx

clubsport

well i searched and seems like a common issue, so i take it normal then...

Ancient

The factory "U" shaped hooks are not really tow hooks. They are to secure the truck down during shipment or transit. You could use it for something light duty. I have an 08 in Ohio with about 60,000 miles. A lot of my fasteners are rusted. The rest of the undercarriage is good.

I would take it to a local independant service station, where they can put it on a lift, for an inspection. Periodically (in warmer weather) when I am rotating tires, I usually touch up what I can see. I wire brush any surface rust and use the product that converts rust into a black finish. Then I use a black spray paint for metal on those areas. Frame and suspension parts are the most important.

If I could ever get it clean enough, and could find a company that I trusted, I would have the clear, waxed based rustproofing installed. It is a parfin base, not black. It never really dries. It wears off over time, but doesn't chip or peal. If is the big word. They would probably spray all of my wiring and electrical components underneath as well. Not a good thing. I used to have a lift and did all of my cars with that product.