Rusty undersides (1 Viewer)

[mooker82]

How common of a problem is rust in an 80. I read the post about the Denver lx450 for sale and it was from the east coast. Mine was originally from NY that I just bought so I got worried. Went out and looked under it and it is completely rust free. Looks like there is enough undercoating under there so that it would never rust. Axles are painted perfectly and so is the frame. I know the dealer that I bought it from would not have done. So I guess im wondering is rust really that common in these.

 

[stayalert]

Near as I can tell my '94 has been in New England all its life. The rust I've encountered has been evident in/on:
-power steering cooler
-tin plate under radiator (All fasteners snapped during removal)
-Cat back exhaust/supports
- Rear heater hard pipes
- heat shields on cats/down pipes
- spare wheel left mechanism
- running boards (removal may be in their not so distant future)

Muds fine by me.....
IH8SALT

Rob M

 

[OGBeno]

I heard that the 80's are much more solid against rust than say the 60's were. I've seen some pretty horrible 60's in NE Ohio...many of them unsalvageable.

If you are worried, what I did was take some synthetic 5-30 I had leftover and sprayed the underside with oil. It drips and is 'unenvironmental' (I acutally put a tarp underneath it for the night and then drained into extra can), but it protects really well. Oil was a common undercoat for before winter PM.

There is one guy left here in all of Northeast Ohio who still does it--I believe for about $60 or so.

Best.
-onur
Akron, OH

 

[ginericLC]

I notice the aluminum isn't as nice on the motors on trucks from the rust belts. Discoloration and pitting.

 

[NovaFZJ80]

might try that oil thing this weekend.. as of late, ive been spraying silicon grease on some of the bolts from underneath.. did break the bolts for the skid plate that covers the drain plug for the transfer case...basically have zip ties to hold it in place for now..