Rusted

[BrHotte]

So I new what I was getting when I bought a 94 XLT from up north. Lots of rust underneath. I went ahead with the purchase because the cab is excellent and the mileage is low for the year. It runs really quiet. I like the truck. Was wondering what all of anyone is doing to neutralize the undercarriage rust? I don't have any holes or serious damage just heavy, flakey rust, mostly on the heavy iron parts. Frame, steering rods, axles, ect....Any thoughts out there?

 

[Dirtman]

Strip off as much rust as possible and either fluid film it every year, that's pretty good at stopping rust from spreading. Or get a rust neutralizer like corroseal and paint everything with that and then coat it on top with por-15 for a more permanent solution. I'd still fluid film it every year anyway but that's just me. My truck is 11 years old living in the north east and has ZERO rust using fluid film every fall.

 

[pjtoledo]

fluid film. it does spread and creep into seams & joints. I have it applied in the late fall.
there are other products similar to fluid film.

 

[BrHotte]

Thanks Dirtman and Pjtoledo. This sounds like the stuff I need. Never tried to stop rust before, but I really like this truck. Thanks again.

 

[Josh B]

My first Ranger was given to me due to being rusted underneath. It was bad, but not That bad really. Worst part is it had rusted through a brake line and the guy(a younger fella with a wife and baby, had brought it down to TN from MN to pursue a physics major at VU in Nashville) the guy had patched the metal brake line with a rubber hose. I think that caused him to get into a bind with his wife and baby onboard and he just wanted it gone. In spite of it having a nearly new crated factory engine.

I put it up on blocks all around and took a chipping hammer, wire brushes, punches and chisels, anything I could find to scrape, brush, and dig rust out of the frame and anywhere else it was.
Dropped the gas tank, even patched some holes in it. New shocks all around, etc. etc.

Spent maybe 2 months messing around with it in my spare time. Then suddenly my DD gave up the ghost while I was on a major renovation project on the far side of a large city. I got onto the Ranger, missed a week of work, but after 7 days it was on the road. Painted with 15 or 20 black spray cans from Wmart

A very faithful little truck

 

[BrHotte]

Mine isn't anywhere near that bad. I just don't want it to get worse. I love old iron. I grew up on a dairy farm in Vermont. I learned to respect and take care of machines from a very young age. So many people believe you have to buy a new car or truck every so many years. I very much enjoy hearing and reading when someone save a perfectly good machine from the recycle heap. Thanks for sharing.