Ultimate Rust / Undercarriage Thread (1 Viewer)

[Alphakiller1]

Curious to get some opinions from everyone here. Recently picked up a 2000 LC for a good deal for 4500 with 202k. even though it needs a couple things (timing belt/WP job, exhaust manifold gasket, hood latch, and rear brake shim clanking). What gives me concern is the amount of rust underneath. I would like to see what you all think and how much of it I can do something about without dropping serious cash.

 

[Alphakiller1]

Additional photos

 

[jlm43]

Curious to get some opinions from everyone here. Recently picked up a 2000 LC for a good deal for 4500 with 202k. even though it needs a couple things (timing belt/WP job, exhaust manifold gasket, hood latch, and rear brake shim clanking). What gives me concern is the amount of rust underneath. I would like to see what you all think and how much of it I can do something about without dropping serious cash.

I can't offer much for help other than that looks scary. I live in the northeast and personally, I would have passed on that. Not that it's a bad deal, just that I plan to keep mine for a very long time and that amount of rust would make it much harder to do.

I picked up this one a couple months ago. I actually feel a little bad for bringing it to the northeast.

 

[Alphakiller1]

Where did you get yours at? I couldn't imagine one looking that clean in the northeast. . And yeah i had the mechanic who did some of the PM for me look at it and they said it wasn't anything to worry about but it was also my first time there and I don't think I'll be back for various other reasons. You found a really good one though.

 

[jlm43]

I got this one from Florida. It’s a 2005 one owner with 135k miles. But I also paid $11k more than you did so it’s all relative. If I found one local with that amount of rust for under $5k, I may have went that route. Good luck

 

[CBeckFJ]

Just purchased a 1999 a few months ago. 204K miles, New Hampshire. Underneath is full of rust. Holes everywhere, and the gas skid plate is half gone due to rust. Its now relegated to parts duty for my next 100

 

[TXLX007]

Looks pretty clean, however, when I received it it was a pretty substantial level of rust.

I used Corraseal and that’s it.

I’ll hit it with POR soon.

Before:

After:

 

[Alphakiller1]

Did you brush any of that down or off before applying the seal? Have you had any issues with it?

 

[TXLX007]

Did you brush any of that down or off before applying the seal? Have you had any issues with it?

Gas tank cover and stabilizer bar had flaking rust. As you can see, it didn't take that well. Corraseal is great for superficial rust only. I'll go back with a brush tool on the drill and re-touch it. Then the POR-15.

 

[CLEcruiser]

This forum has major rust phobia, too many southern boys. Keep on rockin those rust buckets.( I just replaced my rusted out gas tank)

 

[Hokie LX]

I picked up this one a couple months ago. I actually feel a little bad for bringing it to the northeast.

I bought a rust free example from Atlanta when I lived in Buffalo, NY and immediately did the entire underside with POR15 prior to any snow. Glad I did. I live down in NC now and it only spent one winter in Buffalo but now she’s protected for life!

 

[FLWookie]

I can't wait to start posting pics of Crusty up here for ya'll!

 

[rampantwolf]

I bought a rust free example from Atlanta when I lived in Buffalo, NY and immediately did the entire underside with POR15 prior to any snow. Glad I did. I live down in NC now and it only spent one winter in Buffalo but now she’s protected for life!

From my own experience—and factory recommended—it is advisable to top coat the POR-15 if you haven’t already done so even if it is on the undercarriage and doesn’t see much direct sunlight.

 

[Hokie LX]

From my own experience—and factory recommended—it is advisable to top coat the POR-15 if you haven’t already done so even if it is on the undercarriage and doesn’t see much direct sunlight.

Yup, already done. It got etched, POR and some topcoat to finish it all off. The sunlight begins to deteriorate it otherwise.

 

[MuseChaser]

I guess I will need to do some wire-brush rust cleaning and to avoid further rust do undercoating maybe?

First, I heartily agree with the previous two guys... low miles, and in very good shape rust-wise. $14k is an excellent price. I wouldn't undercoat it; rust has already started (although very little), and all you'll do by undercoating now is seal it in where you can't see it; it'll still keep developing under there. If you'd like to really stop it and protect it, POR15 is the way to go. Just don't paint your boltheads to the frame..

 

[LXFAM]

How did you apply your correseal? I have 2 bottles of it that i plan to use on my truck. Did you clean off the surface and brush it on?

Looks pretty clean, however, when I received it it was a pretty substantial level of rust.

I used Corraseal and that’s it.

I’ll hit it with POR soon.

Before:
View attachment 1753026 View attachment 1753027





After:View attachment 1753023 View attachment 1753025 View attachment 1753024

 

[Sherpa100]

How did you apply your correseal? I have 2 bottles of it that i plan to use on my truck. Did you clean off the surface and brush it on?

I used corroseal on mine and applied it with an actual paint sprayer hooked up to my compressor I bought from lowes. it did gum up the sprayer a little bit but man it was much faster than painting it on. if you do it this way I would recommend 2 applications and allowing to dry for 24 hours then hit it with high temp frame and roll bar black. also I spend about 4 hours wire wheeling, brushing and air chiseling loose rust off

 

[TXLX007]

How did you apply your correseal? I have 2 bottles of it that i plan to use on my truck. Did you clean off the surface and brush it on?

Sandpaper and wire brush followed by a paintbrush and 2 1/2 hours on my back. I didn’t spray it because it’s super thick and dries, and it dries with this plastic-ish type film.

These rigs have tons of electronics and sensors and stuff in the undercarriage so I was a little hesitant to use the spraygun. But it probably would’ve saved about two hours.

 

[uHu]

....just that I plan to keep mine for a very long time and that amount of rust would make it much harder to do.
I picked up this one a couple months ago. I actually feel a little bad for bringing it to the northeast.

Just leave it in the garage from the first salt until the spring, or be charged with slow murder of a truck worth living.

 

[MuseChaser]

Just leave it in the garage from the first salt until the spring, or be charged with slow murder of a truck worth living.

Believe me, I completely understand that sentiment; the 470 I just bought is in such beautiful shape for its age and mileage that I'm almost afraid to use it and modify it for the purpose for which it was purchased, namely an extended cross-country camping trip.

However, leaving it in the garage and not exposing it to some of the very weather and conditions it was built to handle so beautifully is sort of like buying Porter-Cable tools but not using them 'cause you want to keep them in new condition. Why bother? Mine will be driven year-round with total joy, and I'll do my best to keep the rust at bay. What else is a guy to do, right?