80 rust prone areas?

[Fromage]

Looking at a 1993 FZJ80 that has led a hard life in the Northeast. It has rust along the bottom edges of the doors, and some other random spots on the body. It's for a 4wd beater to get us around in the winter when the TDI volkswagen can't get up the snow-covered hills. It's cheap and runs well but the body needs some love.

My experience is mainly with 60 series trucks. I know that they have a propensity for chassis rust in certain spots, rocker panels, rear quarters, etc. However, I'm not sure if there are any major problem areas on the 80s. This one shows rust in most of the usual exterior spots, around the rear glass, etc, however I don't know where to look for the really nasty rust traps, rust-prone chassis areas, etc. Are they prone to rust-through? Are the floors usually gone? Rocker panels?

 

[phishtaco]

rockers and windshield frame and rear hatch. Those are the three places I have seen it.

 

[PACNW96]

Definitely on the rear hatch, right below the window....

 

[-Spike-]

Just about anywhere they put salt on the roads.

Never seen any rust on an Arizona vehicle. Location, location, location.

 

[Fromage]

What about the frame and floor? Any problem areas to worry about?

 

[bugsnbikes]

rear cargo windows/ frame area. Those window tracks have drainage that plugs up easy....water sits- leaks into cabin- super rust prone area imho.

 

[dhc4ever]

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[bignasty]

I think i found another spot. I found this when i installed my trailer light harness. It is found in the bottom area below the rear tail lights( inside the truck in cubby hole where the drain plugs are). I pulled a big piece of rust out of there. I was scared to to investigate because i didn't want to get pissed before i went on my trip. I might have a body shop fix that and the rear hatch just to be done with it so i can do some mods. It would be pointless to do mods on a truck that is rusting away. I also have rust on both front aprons. I am getting mad now thinking about it. I wish i did more research before buying this truck. But, i have to turn lemons into lemon aide as usual.

 

[vjr021]

I had some rust around the top of the windshield, and around a few spots on the seal or the back window.

Not sure why, but that seems to be it for surface stuff.

 

[wearsabrowncoat]

I have rust on the bottom trim of rear window as well. Just a small area bubbling up but I was wondering about the best way to handle it.

 

[nicholas]

I think i found another spot. I found this when i installed my trailer light harness. It is found in the bottom area below the rear tail lights( inside the truck in cubby hole where the drain plugs are). I pulled a big piece of rust out of there. I was scared to to investigate because i didn't want to get pissed before i went on my trip. I might have a body shop fix that and the rear hatch just to be done with it so i can do some mods. It would be pointless to do mods on a truck that is rusting away. I also have rust on both front aprons. I am getting mad now thinking about it. I wish i did more research before buying this truck. But, i have to turn lemons into lemon aide as usual.

Rust on my truck: windscreen, under rear window (hidden, but waiting to rear its ugly head), rear cargo slider window frame---> also dripped water inside into the cubby hole below the bottle jack which caused rust in the lowest corner on the mud flap side of the fender=dime sized rust hole all the way through the body.


I removed the rear slider window and sanded/primed/painted the lip before it got too bad. However, it still seems to leak. I'm pretty sure I would need a new rubber window gasket since the one on there is 12 yrs old and has shrunk/stiffened.

As for the cubby hole, I tried to weld a chunk of metal over the hole which was larger than a sacajawea coin after I had removed the surrounding cancer. My shoddy welding skills led to me burning through the body exacerbating the problem, so I cut my losses and slapped on some faststeel and several coats of primer and rustoleum. I had discovered this hole whilst installing the labs bumper and I was in a hurry to get it done so I could get back to the books. Ghetto, yes; but it seems to be holding up so far. A nasty salt infested ohio winter will be the ultimate test.

I'm sure I'll find plenty more rust spots before my two years in OH are over.