FJ underbody rust

[fj_jason]

I've had my FJ since November 2006 here in Toronto Canada...so driving in snow and salt. I'm just concerned about the rust I'm seeing...is that normal? I didn't bother with the electronic rust protection gizmo, but wondering if it would have made a difference.

Looking for your thoughts on what to do next. Thanks

 

[spaldam]

I'm in texas, have had mine since Febuary, and have a little rust under thier too. Not as much as yours, but the salt will definatly do that, even after one season. The best thing to do is clean it regularly, and spray some hot wax under there from the local self wash. A few extra coats of rust proofing paint might help some too.

 

[emtee]

Best trick I've found is to age the rig about 30 years or so and let the oil leaks provide on ongoing rustproofing program. Another option would be a complete tear-down and restoration. (Not helping, am I?)

I'd second the undercoating; make sure it's real clean & dry before applying. That's really one of the only "dealer extras" I ever go for...rig's as clean as it's ever going to get rolling off the factory floor so that's the ideal time to get it sprayed.

 

[saskdiesel]

Thats normal wear and tear.
My F250 had no more black paint after 3 or 4 years.
I wouldn't worry about it. But you could always spray some black paint on if the look bothers you.

 

[BC_FJC]

Everytime I go under mine I take a wire brush and a can of tremclad black with me and give all the rust spots a spray

 

[Martin White]

Or you could get something like POR or Rust bullet and try that. I think what you have is "normal" but from what I've read, stopping it before it spreads is probably worth while if you are going to keep the truck for any substantial length of time. It might help with resale as well.

 

[BC_FJC]

I like to keep it simple because I keep on taking the paint off the underside

 

[AF Chief]

regular rust prevention/maintenance will go a long way.

 

[mackage]

I've had mine since March 23rd 2006 in Montreal Canada.A lot of snow and salt up here,I've put a rust protection called EONIZER two days after i got the truck.So far so good no rust at all,a bit expensive 600 Dollars but i think it pays by itself.

 

[foxtrot6]

Everybody should Ziebart their trucks, and make sure the stuff is oozing out the holes when you get your truck back from the shop.
I had my truck done in 91 and it gets in the snow and sh#t every chance it gets, no sheet metal rust yet, except in one fender, and there was no Ziebart there.
I had them do any place I "could not reach with a hose" rockers, roof rails, doors. The stuff is the best.

 

[imzjustplayin]

I have an FJC from April '06 and I've yet to take it to Tahoe but have plans on doing so this winter. So what can I do to make sure this doesn't happen to my vehicle? List of all the rust prevention techniques? I've already got this issue with my FJ80 and I'm not sure how to combat the problem with that and how to fix it.

 

[Zack1978]

I think of the best products to use is Fluid Film, which you can get at a John Deere dealer. Just spray it on and it will stop rust in its tracks.


Zack

 

[RAAK_FJ]

I have heard of some using line-x to cover the belly for protection... will that work?

 

[spaldam]

I have heard of some using line-x to cover the belly for protection... will that work?

Line-x, and rino liner require bare metal to adhere to. It could be done, but it would be a lot of work.

 

[Diesel Weasel]

That's just surface rust, don't worry about it. The worst thing you can do is spray undercoating on there. The undercoating will look fine for a couple years but will eventually crack and break and start flaking off making a perfect area for water and dirt to sit and giving rust an opportunity to REALLY eat into the metal--trust me, I've scraped a lot of that s*** off! As long as the water and salt is draining don't worry about it. The best way to prevent rust is to keep the underside clean. Another good idea is to use some sort of oil product, like fluid flim as was already suggested.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Agree with the Fluid Film. That stuff is awesome and will protect your undercarriage like no other.

 

[LandCruisers4Life]

Another thing is just to get one of those undercarriage sprayers you hook up to a garden hose and wheel under your truck. It's like a creeper, but it is to spray water all over under your vehicle to clean off the salt etc.....

 

[goldn2637]

Im in TN and have surface rust as well (not as bad as yours though.) What I used previously on chassis' and other things was POR-15. Once your wallet starts to feel the burn, I would recommend going to a Home Depot or Lowes and get a gallon or quart of Rustoleum paint in black. The same kind of rust inhibitor you find in the cans by the guys. It works pretty good and its 30 bucks or so a gallon. The spray on stuff works good, but I prefer to brush on, as it tends to be a bit thicker and adheres better. Just my .02.

 

[alfred442]

With the amount of salt they use in Toronto your cars and trucks look like hell in 2 years. Then the dealers here in Winnipeg buy them at auction then undercoat them, which lasts a year before your car/truck falls to pieces. Good times!

Put some sort of coating underneath to slow it down. But I bet if you check your lower door seams, they're done.

 

[Jacques Villeneuve]

I just bought a vehicle in the southern States and imported it because in Southern Ontario, cars fade away in all the crap put on the roads in winter. From now on, I will only buy used cars from the Southern U.S. (like Phoenix, Tuscon and any other arid and hot areas). Perfect vehicles everywhere.

Did you know that Ontario is only one of three jurisdictions in North America that does not allow the use of studded winter tires? So I studded mine anyway and what a difference. No need for salt on the roads when these babies are used.