08 Land Cruiser Rust Treatment

[MHLC08]

Hi,
So here's the situation. I live in the south and through a long story ended up buying a 2008 Land Cruiser from up north (I know...I know) that had 35K miles on it and a very clean carfax (got a good price). It's pristine except for the underside. There is surface rust underneath. My LC mechanic(a trusted friend) looked at it before I committed to it and felt it was no big deal...seemed like the negligence on cleaning was within the last couple of years (vs lifetime) and he would buy it.

Now that I've read through the forum I'm afraid I'm going to have nothing but trouble. I've seen lots of different opinions but not necessarily read about anyone treating the rust and slowing the process with success.
The question is what would you do to treat what is there? Have it blasted and sealed? What would that cost? or Can i apply something like Rust Bullet or POR15 to slow the spread?
I would like to get another 8 years out of the truck...
Thanks

 

[Willy beamin]

I purchased mine out MASS and it had a little surface rust. I went to work on it with a pneumatic wire brush and then repainted with proper rust inhibitor. No issues since or return of rust. Just get down there and go to town on it over a couple of weekends. You own it now so make the best of it. Or go through the expense of having it done for you. Either way just tackle it.

 

[thzpcs]

Just remember that rust is like cancer. Once it starts, you have to remove all of it or it'll just come right back.

 

[Willy beamin]

Post up a photo for the think tank to assess your situation.

 

[Rigger]

I'm kinda with Willy here.

You researched the truck. You bought it. Now just deal with it. A little surface rust is likely not a big issue. Get under it, clean it, paint it, then watch it.

 

[garymyman]

Was it the one at the Lexus dealer in New York?

 

[MHLC08]

Agree with the comments. Should've done more research and maybe not have listened to a friend but it is what it is. Let the work begin. Attached are some images for the think tank...

 

[mreedbmwm3]

I'd say if that is a problem keep it a couple of years or less and trade it off for another one.

 

[INTP]

I would spray it all down with Fluid Film every couple years and call it good.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

There are products out there that convert rust into an inert substance, so you don't have to try and completely remove all of the rust. Here is one example: Corroseal Rust Converter Primer-82320 - The Home Depot

I would suggest buying some and trying that as a primer and then painting over it once it drys.

 

[Tripledave]

There are products out there that convert rust into an inert substance, so you don't have to try and completely remove all of the rust. Here is one example: Corroseal Rust Converter Primer-82320 - The Home Depot

I would suggest buying some and trying that as a primer and then painting over it once it drys.

This stuff works pretty well. I've used it on some smaller projects (old dirtbikes etc.....) just saying. I'd prob wire brush the big parts, spray them down and repeat as necessary. Sucks, but what are you gonna do?


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[MHLC08]

Appreciate the thoughts. Have got a couple of options. Will post what course of action I take and will monitor and share the results.

But help me....who the heck buys a $70K truck, drives it 5K miles a year, services it religiously at the dealer but then doesn't take care of the underside????? Is this a case of more money than sense????

 

[LCHardriver_02]

Someone who never looks underneath...

 

[Markuson]

Appreciate the thoughts. Have got a couple of options. Will post what course of action I take and will monitor and share the results.

But help me....who the heck buys a $70K truck, drives it 5K miles a year, services it religiously at the dealer but then doesn't take care of the underside????? Is this a case of more money than sense????

I have a feeling that many mall cruisers never have even one set of eyes look underneath the truck...
Or...they religiously take it for all scheduled service...and scheduled service never indicates rust inhibitors...?

 

[White Stripe]

Appreciate the thoughts. Have got a couple of options. Will post what course of action I take and will monitor and share the results.

But help me....who the heck buys a $70K truck, drives it 5K miles a year, services it religiously at the dealer but then doesn't take care of the underside????? Is this a case of more money than sense????

Most people actually. Up north they just buy a new vehicle every few years. Washing the underside is too much of a chore for many people. Personally I would sell it immediately or trade it in and get a clean one. Your not going to be able to rust treat all the rust frozen bolts and inside the frame rails.

 

[Angelo1]

I just take mine to the local car wash that fresh water blast the underside once a week during the winter. Salt and crud goes bye bye. I wish they used no salt "chemicals". Should be banned.

 

[linuxgod]

If you don't get salt on your roads and be driving it on the beach, I would clear it up and repaint what you can, then live with it. My 200 spent its first two years in Texas. When I got it, not a spot of rust underneath. If you treat what's there and you live in the south where you don't get salt underneath the vehicle it won't get much worse as long as you take care of it. I lived in southeastern Virginia for 9 years and vehicles down there just didn't rust badly. Georgia shouldn't be a problem.

Living in Chicago, mine is going to get some rust underneath no matter how much I clean it - in the winter the asphalt is a perpetual shade of white. I just accept that and will treat it as best I can. I could garage it and get a beater for winter but since winter is 7 months of the year it seems pointless to me to have bought an LC that I wouldn't drive.

 

[Yossarian]

I live in the south and through a long story ended up buying a 2008 Land Cruiser from up north....I would like to get another 8 years out of the truck...
Thanks

Beno (mods) this is a known issue on the 200 series, maybe make it a sticky (even though no real solution other than the obvious has been offered)?

MHLC08, since you've already purchased it, and I assume incurred extra costs getting the vehicle from the north, I wouldn't worry to much about it either. From your pictures it appears to be surface rust on heavy gauge steel bits, not the vulnerable thin sheet metal. One area of concern is the KDSS valves, search as that has already been discussed here on Mud. Mine like yours has some of the rust, with a little elbow grease I don't see any reason you wouldn't get the 8 years of use you desire (I'm shooting for 10).

If anything, shame on Mr. T for not properly coating and protecting the undercarriage. Are we to see what the long term Tacoma owners have, full frame replacements in our future? Also, what about 200 owners that live in the rust belt, are they to search for pristine examples only to subject them to the elements again? These truck are to be used and enjoyed, please do so MHLC08, congrats on your LC!

 

[linuxgod]

If anything, shame on Mr. T for not properly coating and protecting the undercarriage. Are we to see what the long term Tacoma owners have, full frame replacements in our future? Also, what about 200 owners that live in the rust belt, are they to search for pristine examples only to subject them to the elements again?

+1 on the sticky post recommendation.

Personally I wasn't searching for a pristine example - price was much more of a concern than a couple years of salty use for me. I might have felt differently if I was looking at a 15 year old 100-series though.

What's the recommended rust protection
for those of us in the north? I've seen mixed recommendations, from "weekly undercarriage wash" to "paint everything underneath" to "spray with motor oil (or an equivalent oil/wax solution) 2-3 times each winter". I don't have a garage, so whatever I do will need to be done at a reputable shop.

 

[Angelo1]

+1 on the sticky post recommendation.

Personally I wasn't searching for a pristine example - price was much more of a concern than a couple years of salty use for me. I might have felt differently if I was looking at a 15 year old 100-series though.

What's the recommended rust protection
for those of us in the north? I've seen mixed recommendations, from "weekly undercarriage wash" to "paint everything underneath" to "spray with motor oil (or an equivalent oil/wax solution) 2-3 times each winter". I don't have a garage, so whatever I do will need to be done at a reputable shop.

I would call a paint shop and see if they can apply a recommended product and have them apply it. Might cost you a couple hours of labor but they will have the proper equipment to get into hard to reach areas and in a clean indoor environment.