Are LCs just not made for the salt belt?

[m3fan]

I'm at a bit of a crossroads. I purchased a 2005 LC100 a couple years ago to replace my 2006 4Runner, and that 4Runner replaced my 99 4Runner. So I've had body-on-frame Yotas for a LONG time now in the salt belt. I know what winters in Illinois can do to these cars. Of the 3 cars, the 4th gen 'Runner seemed to have the best anti-corrosion properties to it but underneath had the regular insane surface rust everywhere and totally dissolved heat shields, etc.

The LC100 is a great car. Goes great down the road and I've kept up with the body rust as it's come up here and there. The driving feel and sightlines are great, the brake pedal feel is outstanding (compared to a 200), it's a great car. The undercarraige rust bothers me a lot. I'm the first guy on these forums to chime in and say it's just surface rust, nothing functional, etc. but it does drive me nuts. It's more "OK" on the LC100 because it's depreciated and paid for.

Sooooo, I've always wanted a 200 but when I see ones that have been here a while they all look the same. Just insane corrosion underneath, like the steel they used was coated with a rust attractant. Doesn't make me want to drop 50K+ on a 200 that if it's not already really rusty underneath, will be in short order. I also don't want to spend hours under the car spraying it with corrosion inhibitor every year and worrying about it.

Which got me thinking– the market for LC is generally what, Austraila and then the Middle East, then probably South America and Africa. It would make sense that the salt belt in the USA is probably not a huge consideration. As such I don't think they really give much thought to salt and corrosion. And that make me think that although I LOVE the 200, one of my favorite cars ever, I don't think I can do it. As such I now have to look at cars at least remotely designed for this climate, such as a Q7. Sad but true! Am I crazy here or do I have a valid point?

 

[Mogwai]

Not sure I comprehend, are you assuming others vehicles will be that much better than an LC in rust belt?

I'd say if you're worried about buy a west cost clean no rust vehicle and have it sprayed with rust inhibitor from time to time.

 

[m3fan]

Not sure I comprehend, are you assuming others vehicles will be that much better than an LC in rust belt?

I'd say if you're worried about buy a west cost clean no rust vehicle and have it sprayed with rust inhibitor from time to time.

Basically yes, I'm assuming a galvanized monocoque vehicle may fair better.

I've definitely considered getting a southern 200 and coating it meticulously annually. Definitely an option.

 

[Mogwai]

You certainly could be on to something. However proving yourself right could be detrimental to your future driving experience!!

 

[SWUtah]

I've seen even aluminum disintegrate on rust belt cars. The crap they now spray on the roads in the rust belt is salt on roids. Buy a clean 200 have it rust proofed every year. It's the price you pay for living in that part of the country. Every vehicle made will rust/corrode with that crap they spray on the roads. Your going to puck everyday you drive that Audi and it will corrode just like every other vehicle.

 

[Oakleyguy]

Colorado truck with 40K+ on it here, and no rust.

I also have a '05 100 with 200k on it and no rust issues underneath. That said, I wash the under carriage of my trucks frequently (weekly during winter) and I believe that has helped prevent any issues.

That said, I originally did look at an 08 with 100k on it, and it had a significant amount of rust underneath. There may be certain years that are more susceptible to rusting due to changes in coating composition.

 

[GoISU]

Bring your vehicles over to my place. I spray fluid film undercoating under Toyotas for mod money, you can even have a beer while you wait from the garage fridge. I looked and no one in Chicagoland is spraying this stuff from what I could find. Seriously, PM me if you're interested. I'm in Wheaton IL.

I last had an FJ and I ran it for 170K miles and ten years from new. It had surface rust but more concerning was the fasteners that were starting to go. I broke half of the bolts on the rear sway bar the last time I took it off, mind you, it's been off a few times in its lifetime previously. I lost heat shields etc too. I purchased my '13 LC200 rust free out of Texas in February of this year and I swore I'd never let it rust like the FJ. I researched undercoatings and fluid film seems to be the best option. I bought the whole spray gun kit with all the hoses for getting in frame rails and everywhere else. My LC was the first vehicle I ever sprayed and it's coating is holding up extremely well. The only down side is if you work under there you're going to get oily as fluid film stays wet for its lifetime. Small trade off for having to not worry about rust in my opinion.

They use this stuff to rust proof ships, it should be adequate for keeping the undercarriage rust free. They recommend a yearly coating but I bet it would go at least 2 years if not longer depending on how much you drive. Zero prep work required, if you just came off a muddy trail just drive it in the rain and you can spray this stuff under there. It's safe for electrical connections and rubber parts too, it's lanolin (by product or wool processing, sheeps oil essentially) you can just about eat this stuff. It has a sweet smell that dissipates with time and it creeps well when warm into all the nooks and crannies where rust starts and eventually eats through metal.

Even if you're not interested in lettting me spray your trucks consider doing it yourself. The fluid film aerosol cans are pricey so if you go that route make sure you buy a bunch, I put a gallon under my LC (it was way too much) and the cans don't shoot with the velocity that the air powered spray gun does. I only use the expensive aerosol cans ($12 each) for spraying into the drain holes for the bottoms of doors and the rear hatch.

If anyone is curious what this stuff looks like:


I did a ton of research, it's legit from what I can tell. I can't believe undercoating hasn't caught on here in Chicagoland. On the east coast and in Canada it's big business. I couldn't find anyone local that offered this service surpringly. I guess not many people keep their vehicles as long as we do so they just don't care. Hope this helps.

Kevin.

 

[GoISU]

Double post, sorry.

 

[JOFS]

I agree Fluid film is your friend. Buy it in bulk and buy the applicator gun, if you have a compressor. You can order it from amazon. I found it cheapest at napa auto parts. 40.00 for a gallon. Can't get much cheaper than that.

I spray my trucks twice a year. Even if I don't hit every cranny every year over time it creeps and will build up more protection.

I bought my 200 series new and applied fluid film the first week I had it. If you do hit exhaust etc it will smoke and smell a bit funny but it goes away quickly.

Just about everything will rust in the salt belt. This just minimizes what happens. These trucks were meant to be used and I put studded snows on all of them and drive them in the winter. You just have to protect them as much as you can.

My 80 and my 100 series have some frame rust but it is minimal. I bought them used so didn't start application when the trucks were new but I suspect if fluid film is used regularly you will not have any significant rust.

I was just thinking that it was getting time to spray a new coat on my trucks yesterday. I just drop the spare, put the truck on ramps and go at it. It is not hard.

Good luck
John

 

[GoISU]

I get my gallons at Napa, be sure to order it into your store online, they don't stock it around here.

 

[m3fan]

@GoISU you're on! Great idea. I think this is the way to go and makes me feel a heck of a lot better about buying an 200. And I'm an ISU alum! I'll come over once I get the 200.

 

[linuxgod]

We should have a fluid film application day for 200s at @GoISU's place.

I'm planning to have him do it. Will probably time it with a fall wash/clay/wax so I can try and knock the mud off the undercarriage from Utah/AZ first

 

[GoISU]

I have no problem hosting a LC spray party. The more I can line up at once the less frequently I have to clean out the spray gun etc. perhaps in the fall... as I said feel free to PM me and I will resurrect this thread later on if needed.

 

[Sandroad]

Hmm....you may be on to something with a spray party. I'm 5 hours away, but could stay at my sister's in northern Indiana. I bought 3 spray cans of Fluid Film for my 200, hoping to avoid the fates of my 100 and my 80. But, I sure don't relish the idea of getting under there this fall and coating myself with lanolin. The Land Cruisers I've owned here in Michigan have been far more susceptible to rust on the frame and undercarriage than the other late model Subaru, Honda, and Toyota vehicles I've had in the same time period. Some the frame welds on my 200 came with rust from the dealer's lot! I have the KDSS valves heavily greased with marine grease, but I'm worried about everything else.