Should I run from the rust on this 05 LX470 (Pics) (1 Viewer)

[RedstitchNC]

First off let me thank everyone on this forum for the wealth of invaluable information. I have been talking with a local dealer about a 2005 LX470 with 216,000 miles. The vehicle is a 2 owner NC vehicle with 29 carfax service records, timing belt and water pump were recently done. The vehicle had a Holden Beach sticker on the rear window, and based upon the undercarriage I suspect it spent a decent amount of time in this salt air climate. Everything else about the vehicle appears in good condition, should the rust in these pics warrant a pass? If the vehicle was in a coastal environment, are there other areas of concern i.e. wiring, etc? I appreciate your input.

 

[geanes]

Based on those pictures, I see nothing to worry about. There isn't even any rust "scale" or any rust on the bolt heads. If you hadn't mentioned the beach sticker, I would have never suspected this thing was close to salt air.

 

[Runner2aCruiser]

I would agree doesn't look bad from the pics

 

[FxFormat]

Looks clean as a whistle for an 11 year old car in NC...

 

[Placemotorsports]

Looks good to me

 

[re_guderian]

Do you HAVE to buy that one? Do you work on your own rig? I've come to realize that it's not rusty rigs that are bad, but that I'm not good with rusty rigs. I hate it when bolts sieze or snap, when hour long jobs turn into three hour long jobs. I hate it. I'm quite possibly the world's slowest mechanic. Rust - any rust for me - compounds that problem. So if you're accustomed to working on (slightly) rusty trucks, and/or you routinely pay others to do so, then you might be okay with a (slightly) rusty truck. It's a personal tolerance question. You aren't going to fall through the floor boards on that one, and the frame isn't rotting. For me personally, there's no need to buy a rig that is rusty, or starting to rust. Why make life harder than it has to be?

BTW, I've had two AZ cruisers, one CO cruiser, and one PA/MD cruiser. Guess how I found my rust threshold????

 

[97 AZ LC]

Doesn't look good to me either. There's quite a bit of rust on some of those bolt heads. Also from Arizona, we get spoiled.

 

[AMGAndrew]

I'm from a ocean salt spray climate and that's not bad at all. If it's priced fair, buy it.

 

[jemsec]

Minor issue.

 

[re_guderian]

overall, it's not bad. But the last picture's kinda blurry. Am I the only one that think the rear axle's been painted over?

 

[labcab]

If it's at a dealer, I would use any rust as a negotiation point. The muffler and many of the parts underneath could be replaced. Or at least treated to stop the rust from progressing.

Have them pop off the running boards. The rocker panels can develop really bad rust and even holes that are hidden until the running boards are removed.

 

[jerryb]

the rear end is treated. I wouldn't buy. I think the other pics are fine. It's the rear end one that would make me pass.

 

[landylover21]

If it's at a dealer, I would use any rust as a negotiation point. The muffler and many of the parts underneath could be replaced. Or at least treated to stop the rust from progressing.

Have them pop off the running boards. The rocker panels can develop really bad rust and even holes that are hidden until the running boards are removed.

I second this, watch out especially for the rear corners of the rocker where it intersects the front corner of the rear wheel well... Lots of junk likes to collect in that corner and it tends to rot out from behind that running board panel. I always bring a mirror or something to lie on the ground with when I inspect.

Random pic I pulled from the net.

 

[RedstitchNC]

Thanks everyone for the opinions. I checked the rocker panels and they were in good shape. I'll be bringing her home on Saturday. Looking forward to baselining and coating the frame with por15. I intend to continue to use the forum and share as I build this LX470 for daily driving and weekend adventure travel with my wife and two boys.

 

[JOFS]

Enjoy it

I wouldn't worry about that rust at all

Folks from the west are very spoiled with their perspective of rust.

 

[btbowie]

I'm up the coast from you in Virginia Beach...took me a while to find a clean one on our southern coast...I sold mine last week but my reason for posting is A: that rust isn't too bad, and B: I found out that the local Line-X here has partnered with ValuGard to offer rust coating service. Just a thought if you're not too far...not sure, you may be 4 hours? Anyway, it's nice to not have to drive to PA for a Krown spray anymore.

 

[Tummler]

What rust?

 

[JETTIX2]

That's not rust LOL. It looks great, buy it

 

[jhanley]

Good looking truck man. I got new contacts and still don't see any rust?

 

[Dave Magdales]

Hey all, looking at a 2005 LX470 - too much rust? Walk away or ok to pursue?

- Dave