Thoughts on undercarriage? (1 Viewer)

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sPaulp

sPaulp

Joined
Oct 28, 2014
Threads
42
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500
Location
Upstate NY
2014 with only 18k miles, NY 1 owner. Doesn't appear the previous owner did any preventative undercarriage treatment. I am a southern guy and not a rust expert. Thoughts?

rust1.jpg


rust2.jpg


rust3.jpg


rust4.jpg


Video from dealership

 
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Considering it's a 2014 with only 18k miles, that does not look very good. I wouldn't say it's alarming but, I bet other's opinions here are better off than mine. Good news is it's still a newer vehicle so I imagine the engine and drive train are in good shape however, it is obvious the salt on the NY roads are starting to take a negative effect on the steel. If you are planning on purchasing, I'd negotiate a heavy discount or look elsewhere.
 
I would get under there and wirebrush, grind etc as much as you can off frame, use self etching primer and paint. Then coating with Fluid Film at least once a year.

If you can't do this, coat with Fluid Film. Best to do this in a warm, dry space and let it sit in a warm place and let the film spread.

I live in Vermont and use Fluid Film twice a year, even coating inside body panels, in fenders, etc on my 89 FJ62.
 
My concern from the first photo is that the KDSS plumbing is rusted. You don't show a photo of the actual valves (they are inside the frame rail on the driver's side) but I suspect they are rusted solid. If you can't open them 2-3 turns (no more) then even minor suspension work like replacing the front struts will be much more difficult and expensive in the future (either because you'll have to pay to have Toyota replace the KDSS control cylinder, or the mechanic will have to fight the KDSS system to pry the struts in and out).
 
linuxgod said:
My concern from the first photo is that the KDSS plumbing is rusted. You don't show a photo of the actual valves (they are inside the frame rail on the driver's side) but I suspect they are rusted solid. If you can't open them 2-3 turns (no more) then even minor suspension work like replacing the front struts will be much more difficult and expensive in the future (either because you'll have to pay to have Toyota replace the KDSS control cylinder, or the mechanic will have to fight the KDSS system to pry the struts in and out).
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Ugh, that doesn't sound good. Ironically, the exterior and interior are mint condition. The engine bay is as clean as brand new. The dealer sent me a video, but I drove 2.5 hours yesterday to look at it in person. Price is $55,400 and is certified. I have a deposit on the vehicle and was planning on picking it up later this week. However, the rust has me a bit worried.
 
That's just surface rust. After you buy it take it to a body shop and have it corrected. Few hundred $$ later it will look like new. Then do the fluid film every year. As part of the deal have the deal gaureed the KDSS works. Enjoy you new beast. You live where you live so it will be something you have to deal with every year. No big deal at this point.
 
SWUtah said:
That's just surface rust. After you buy it take it to a body shop and have it corrected. Few hundred $$ later it will look like new. Then do the fluid film every year. As part of the deal have the deal gaureed the KDSS works. Enjoy you new beast. You live where you live so it will be something you have to deal with every year. No big deal at this point.
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If the KDSS doesn't work, is that covered under the CPO warranty? I assume I could pull it into the garage, spend a day with a wire brush and go crazy underneath. I have read about this stuff called Corroseal that is a rust converter/primer. Then I could either paint the underneath with rustoleum or apply fluid film/Krown.
 
ckkone said:
Thats nuts, you could almost get into a 2016 for that much money.
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True, but I don't want the 55" big screen TV's in the back of the head rests which apparently are standard, and not optional. Also, hasn't there been some issues with the 8 speed tranny? Not sure, but thought I read something about it. I would buy a '16 for the right price if the rear DVD's were an optional delete.
 
sPaulp said:
If the KDSS doesn't work, is that covered under the CPO warranty? I assume I could pull it into the garage, spend a day with a wire brush and go crazy underneath. I have read about this stuff called Corroseal that is a rust converter/primer. Then I could either paint the underneath with rustoleum or apply fluid film/Krown.
Click to expand...

Yes and no. If there's a leak it's covered. Whether or not you can get the dealer to replace the KDSS control cylinder due to rust depends a lot on the dealer. They may claim "rust"... the gas door spring on my truck broke and when I asked the dealer to replace it (since I was in for service anyway) they denied my CPO warranty claim saying it broke due to rust. I promptly told them the truck was just purchased from Houston and had only been in Chicago 2 weeks so they were full of crap.
 
sPaulp said:
True, but I don't want the 55" big screen TV's in the back of the head rests which apparently are standard, and not optional. Also, hasn't there been some issues with the 8 speed tranny? Not sure, but thought I read something about it. I would buy a '16 for the right price if the rear DVD's were an optional delete.
Click to expand...

LCD screen delete is a -$2k option on the 2018's only.

Trans issues are apparently fixed with a firmware update by the dealer.

(This coming from a guy who owns a 2013...)
 
sPaulp said:
If the KDSS doesn't work, is that covered under the CPO warranty? I assume I could pull it into the garage, spend a day with a wire brush and go crazy underneath. I have read about this stuff called Corroseal that is a rust converter/primer. Then I could either paint the underneath with rustoleum or apply fluid film/Krown.
Click to expand...

Should be covered just confirm it with them. Yes you could do it yourself, when I lived in KC Missouri I would do that every spring and fall, using rustoeuim only took 1 hour each time and kept the bottom looking new. $55k for a 2014 with 19k is a great deal.
 
sPaulp said:
Wow that looks amazing, can you walk me through what products you use an exactly how you make your undercarriage look that great? Thanks!
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Just a can of rustoeium black. After the first cleanup and painting just wash every spring and paint same in fall. I really seldom saw any more rust but would put another coat on anyway
 
SWUtah said:
Just a can of rustoeium black. After the first cleanup and painting just wash every spring and paint same in fall. I really seldom saw any more rust but would put another coat on anyway
Click to expand...

Do you tape anything off, like rubber or anything at all? And, to clarify, you are just using Rustoleum black paint? So, I should use a brissel brush and knock off the rust, maybe use a rust converter like corroseal, and then paint correct?
 
sPaulp said:
Do you tape anything off, like rubber or anything at all? And, to clarify, you are just using Rustoleum black paint? So, I should use a brissel brush and knock off the rust, maybe use a rust converter like corroseal, and then paint correct?
Click to expand...
Yes it’s called hammer coat finish
 
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