A few years back I bought a 70,000 mile 2007 GX470. We had made a quick move from the city to the suburbs and needed to buy two cars quickly. I bought an RX450 for my wife, and the dealer also had the GX for sale at a reasonable price. I knew I wanted a GX based on the Toyota / Land Cruiser “light” lineage (I couldn’t justify a real LC or LX based on how little I drive) and this seemed like a truck that had been decently maintained – two prior owners and I could trace all of its service history back to a couple of dealers. Do to the rushed nature of our move I didn’t do much more diligence. It has 80k miles now. The truck has been exactly what I expected – a reliable, fun-to-drive, hauler that can get me back and forth to Home Depot and little league games on the weekend and the occasional Boy Scout trip or family ski trip. I take a train to work so it doesn’t usually move Mon-Fri.

But the rust. So. Much. Rust. It now has me wondering if I screwed up. I can post a few pictures below. I realize everyone talks about the rust on these vehicles, and it seems like the consensus is that a layer of superficial surface rust comes with the Toyota territory. But how much rust is too much? I get a knot in my stomach when I look underneath and see how bad it is, and then wonder if I should be using this truck for 500 mile ski trips? The truck has lived all its life in the Northeast, so I understand where/how the rust was ‘acquired’. But how do I tell if the rust has become a safety/structural issue? Is there any sort of service or process to have someone test or treat the rust? I’ve looked for such a service and not found anything. I don’t have the time to get under the truck with wire brush etc and scrape it off myself, so I’d gladly pay if there was such a service. I otherwise love it, and have invested in snow tires & rims etc.

Anyways, I guess my question is – how to tell if there is too much rust? What can be done?

Thanks for any help.

 

Go around with a screwdriver or pick or some other tool and try poking holes in various places. If that was my vehicle I'd give it a good Fluid Film treatment it will drastically slow down the rusting process.

 

Yep. "POR 15" But prep. is key (obviously).

 

"Too much" is when it perforates things, "more than I'd like" is what you've got going on there, same as what I've got going on under my truck,lol.

To slow the cancer keep it clean underneath during "salt" season. To turn back the clock would involve brushing/scraping/blasting the surface rust off, treating it with a rust convertor, and sealing it with a POR15 type product. It's a lot of work, and in most cases not worth it at that stage, for a vehicle that isn't a collectable/garage queen.

 

in 15-20 years it may develop into an issue but even then a shadetree welder can extend it's life..a spray converter will turn that visual all black meanwhile.

 

Or 5 years...you never really know with rust.

 

To my knowledge this gen Toyota has not had a history of frame problems like the prior.

 

Got it. Thank you all for the helpful replies. I will probably chip away at some of the worst spots and try some converter and see how it goes. Seems like there are a few good video guides out there. Thanks again.

 

Please keep us posted since I am interested too. I was planning to use the can sprays to protect it. May be some grinder to rub off the rust before it.