How bad is this rust?

[Corgi4x4]

Hi I’m going to look at a 1997 LX later today and other than this one area in the first pic, the rest of the vehicle looks great

 

[405]

Judging by the paint runs on the frame it may have been rattle canned black to hide more rust. Look for overspray.

 

[Augustiron]

Rust tolerance is a regional phenomenon.

Upstate NY? That truck is mint in comparison.
Arizona/California? Run away.

 

[SpenserAK]

Judging by the paint runs on the frame it may have been rattle canned black to hide more rust. Look for overspray.

This.

Could be fine, but be wary. There's no reason to hose anything with black paint unless it's covering something.

 

[BILT4ME]

That's clearly overspray on the body mounts.

The only spray like that that's acceptable is Cosmoline or Fluid Film or Woolwax.

Based on that rear axle, that's not what that is.

I'm in the Midwest and I'd be wary of that.

 

[Kernal]

Pennsylvania. Any questions?

Seriously only way to tell is to check it over very closely on a lift, slowly, methodically, bring a flashlight. Better to have another person or two look at it also.

Not only the undercarriage (frame, bolt heads, brake lines, small brackets, body mounts, cross members, exhaust,---) but also the body: fenders (inner and outer), rocker panels (push the running board rubber thingy out of the way), wheel wells (put your head inside, not just a quick glance), quarter panels lower aspect, doors especially the inner lower lip behind the weather strips, rear hatch especially around (under) the dust/wind deflector and glass gasket, check for "bubbles" around the windshield gasket, anywhere there's factory applied seam sealer ie: around the inner edge of doors, hood, hatch, tailgate. Then the engine bay, bolts, brackets, around/under the radiator and battery box.

 

[Rifleman]

Corgi4x4, Just a word to the wise, that's the rust you can see in your photos, don't forget about the rust you can't see,​

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If the current owner will allow, I'd ask if it would be okay to pull some of the plastic interior body panels to look inside where water can collect,​

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I'd check the bottoms inside of the doors, I'd also be looking at the front fenders where leaves can collect between the inner fender and cowl, and along the bottoms of the rear quarter panels in front and behind the rear tires too where mud collects,​

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Those are just a few of the hidden spots that rust can grow in before it eats it way through to the outside of the body panel,​