2016 200 LC Rust Concern (1 Viewer)

[DMVish]

Hi all. Negotiating on a low mileage 2016 200 LC that spent its life in the northeast. Underside shows rust (see pics) that seller is assuring is surface rust. Also claims the KDSS valve is rusted some, but nothing to hinder functioning (no picture yet). I’ve also spoken with the group that I would use to treat the underside, but they obviously cannot treat hot or moving parts. How concerned should I be about the rust in general and especially those that can’t be treated, like the breaks, shocks, muffler, etc. I have no reason to distrust seller either because of a longtime mutual relationship. And FWIW, at this time I plan to keep the rig for as long as possible, and then even after hopefully as my hunting rig.

Truly appreciate the knowledgeable input from you all as you’ve been extremely helpful in my search. Thanks ahead of time!

PS - fully admit I’m nuts to be purchasing in this market, but here we are

 

[04UZJ100]

For a 2016, I’d run.

 

[Tex68w]

Absolutely no way I'd be buying that truck, I don't care if it's being sold by God himself, no sir!

 

[Sandroad]

I’m pretty tolerant of rust, but this is not just surface rust. Most of the fasteners are deeply corroded and you may find rust-through on some of the thinner metal like the gas tank shield. You could get it if the price is right, but it would take a lot of work and expense to save it for long term ownership. It really depends on the price and how much work you are willing to put in it for your long term interests. And, BTW, this is not something that should just be undercoated. It’s major 4 step process with cleaning, wire wheeling, rust conversion, and then treatment using something like Fluid Film.

 

[Angelo1]

that is a lot of rust for a 2016. I would call some auto body/paint shops in your area to see if they can remedy this back to life. Take that shops quote and then make the deal for the LC. Keep in mind, the areas you can’t see might have rust.

 

[mcgaskins]

Hard pass with that level of rust!

 

[PDoyle]

The big question is, how much $?would it live in a dry climate from now on?

 

[Sandroad]

BTW, welcome to Mud!

To add to my earlier post, I suspect the KDSS valves will be rusted badly, in spite of what the owner says. Get a photo of those.

As you noted, this is a crazy time to buy. To get any LC right now at a decent price, especially a late model low miles, you’ll likely have to accept some major compromises. There is also some value in getting one from someone you know and don’t distrust.

 

[kwelhand]

My friend just brought a 2008 LC, and that LC spent its entire life in North before coming down to Georgia this year.
He has some light surface rust on the frame and hitch bar but no where close to your LC.
He's crying everyday for the light rust... I'm sure he's going to have a heart attack when he sees that pic.
Why do you want to invite headache and problem that you could easily avoid?
Look for Southern LC or buy LX like myself who given up on LC quest.

 

[stonepa]

My questions would be: how much? What are you going to use it for? How long do you keep vehicles? Honestly, you could buy a pristine LC from some arid desert place, drive it a few years in your location, and you will get what you see here. If you buy it for the right price, who cares about this level of rust. Are you just going to drive it for a few years, like 95% of people who buy and drive cars? Then, again, who cares? But if the truck is premium priced, or something you are going to mod, or if you are planning to move to Arizona soon, or you plan to keep it forever, then I would skip it. Lots of southerners get on this forum and freak out about a little rust on the chassis. Northerners look and say ‘What rust?’. You need to decide what you think.

 

[jbyrd78]

I 2nd taking it to a shop, and getting a quote on how much it's going to cost to have the frame blasted, wheeled and repainted.

I would also physically make sure you can get those KDSS valves open. If you can't get those valves open, then that's going to be another level of frustration to add to your plate when it comes time to swap out suspension.

 

[04UZJ100]

I 2nd taking it to a shop, and getting a quote on how much it's going to cost to have the frame blasted, wheeled and repainted.

I would also physically make sure you can get those KDSS valves open. If you can't get those valves open, then that's going to be another level of frustration to add to your plate when it comes time to swap out suspension.

Why would you want to do that on a 5 year old truck. It is not worth it. It was obviously NEVER washed in those 5 years.

My 07 4Runner survived 5 years of Chicago winters and 5 years in NJ winters all uncoated. I was religious about flushing underbody at car wash. Looks absolutely nothing like that.

 

[99toylc]

It's not terminal that's for sure, but to say that it seems to have equal amount of rust to my Chicagoland daily driven 2008 Tundra.

Even in this market I would keep looking unless of course it's a deal it is hard to walk away from...

 

[jbyrd78]

Why would you want to do that on a 5 year old truck. It is not worth it. It was obviously NEVER washed in those 5 years.

My 07 4Runner survived 5 years of Chicago winters and 5 years in NJ winters all uncoated. I was religious about flushing underbody at car wash. Looks absolutely nothing like that.

I mentioned cracking the KDSS valves, b/c he mentioned that they were "slightly rusted". If he is able to open them on his own, or his mechanic is able to open them with no issues, then he has that piece of mind.

As far as getting the quote on the frame. As someone mentioned earlier, their is the possibility that if he able to get a quote on paper from a service area, then he can get them to come down on the price. Every little advantage helps in the current market.

I live in Indiana, so I get to deal with those lovely mid-west winters that we get. I'm pretty much a frequent flyer at my local Crew CarWash during the winter months just for the underbody wash itself lol.

 

[TheComedian]

Looks like the car was standing for a longer period? My LC has nearly everywhere heavy rust but except the frame on no parts like you shown in the pictures…
Would buy it.

 

[DMVish]

Thanks all. Your extremely candid input is exactly what I was interested in and all the considerations I am mulling over.

I got a quote for the restoration by a reputable group that would go through the full multiple day and step process (clean scraping and grinding of all rust, then rust eliminator application acid-based chemical, and finally undercoat everything that doesn't move or get hot). By just the pics, that is estimated at $1,000 - $2,000 and the seller is willing to negotiate that into the price. As for the KDSS valve, they assure that it has some rust, but not enough to "hinder its use or performance". Asking for photos and if they can open.

The car would live in Virginia so not necessarily a dry climate, but also not Rhode Island where its coming from. Even with the willing to negotiate the additional work on underside, I wouldn't consider it currently a deal I couldn't walk away from (just a wash), so I'm now down to trying to work them down to get to a deal where I'm ok with the added future concerns, walk away, or just say screw it, have fun with it for 5-10 years or until if or when it starts to get to be a pain.

Thanks again and keep the banter coming!

 

[CharlieS]

My questions would be: how much? What are you going to use it for? How long do you keep vehicles? Honestly, you could buy a pristine LC from some arid desert place, drive it a few years in your location, and you will get what you see here. If you buy it for the right price, who cares about this level of rust. Are you just going to drive it for a few years, like 95% of people who buy and drive cars? Then, again, who cares? But if the truck is premium priced, or something you are going to mod, or if you are planning to move to Arizona soon, or you plan to keep it forever, then I would skip it. Lots of southerners get on this forum and freak out about a little rust on the chassis. Northerners look and say ‘What rust?’. You need to decide what you think.

I agree 100% with @stonepa. Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[manofthewoods]

Thanks all. Your extremely candid input is exactly what I was interested in and all the considerations I am mulling over.

I got a quote for the restoration by a reputable group that would go through the full multiple day and step process (clean scraping and grinding of all rust, then rust eliminator application acid-based chemical, and finally undercoat everything that doesn't move or get hot). By just the pics, that is estimated at $1,000 - $2,000 and the seller is willing to negotiate that into the price. As for the KDSS valve, they assure that it has some rust, but not enough to "hinder its use or performance". Asking for photos and if they can open.

The car would live in Virginia so not necessarily a dry climate, but also not Rhode Island where its coming from. Even with the willing to negotiate the additional work on underside, I wouldn't consider it currently a deal I couldn't walk away from (just a wash), so I'm now down to trying to work them down to get to a deal where I'm ok with the added future concerns, walk away, or just say screw it, have fun with it for 5-10 years or until if or when it starts to get to be a pain.

Thanks again and keep the banter coming!

Surprisingly, I wasn't as scared as most who responded. I grew up in MN, and learned to loathe rust; so much so that when I got my "new" LX450 in April I got one without a flake of rust. Your photos seem manageable, and you possibly have a plan to deal with it.
Regardless, good luck with whatever you do.