Most common rust areas?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Laramie, WY
Most common rust areas?
So while I'm waiting on tying up the last few ends before listing my pickup for sell I've decided to find out if it's truly rust free.
I thought the cab corners and wheel wells would be the most likely places for rust and yet they both felt as smooth as the painted surface on the outside of the body. Any hidden body parts to check?
The frame has a good scattering of surface rust everywhere but it seems pretty solid. I just read that the crossmembers get weak so I'll check them when I swap the driveshaft out. Any particular pockets to check out on the frame as being the first to go?
Thanks in advance for the help.
I thought the cab corners and wheel wells would be the most likely places for rust and yet they both felt as smooth as the painted surface on the outside of the body. Any hidden body parts to check?
The frame has a good scattering of surface rust everywhere but it seems pretty solid. I just read that the crossmembers get weak so I'll check them when I swap the driveshaft out. Any particular pockets to check out on the frame as being the first to go?
Thanks in advance for the help.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,843
Likes: 27
From: Eastern Ky
Wheel arch and quarter panels are the first to go, usually...
The lower portion of the front fenders usually eat through quick also.
And make sure to check the Core Support section (Where the Radiator sits)..
They tend to rot out from the factory, essentially...
The lower portion of the front fenders usually eat through quick also.
And make sure to check the Core Support section (Where the Radiator sits)..
They tend to rot out from the factory, essentially...
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
Being Wyoming, it is likely pretty dry and not as bad as a OH/PA truck would be.
It sounds pretty nice, if the rust hasn't blown through anywhere by now it should be good for a few more years.
My '89 came from NC, the frame was still completely BLACK and not as much as a scratch of surface rust yet. Not bad for a 24 yr old truck. It turns heads in Ohio, as I don't think there is one left here that isn't rotted to the ground by now. I've oil sprayed it for 3 yrs now and still good and clean(just oily now LOL).
It sounds pretty nice, if the rust hasn't blown through anywhere by now it should be good for a few more years.
My '89 came from NC, the frame was still completely BLACK and not as much as a scratch of surface rust yet. Not bad for a 24 yr old truck. It turns heads in Ohio, as I don't think there is one left here that isn't rotted to the ground by now. I've oil sprayed it for 3 yrs now and still good and clean(just oily now LOL).
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 75
From: Gilbert, PA
Radiator supports are the FIRST thing to go.
my lighting was(what I thought to be) rust free. but the rad support was rotten at the mount area. EVERYTHING else was SPOTLESS.
The rear spring hangers and shackles are know to be troublesome as well.
Check the bottom seams of your doors and tailgate.
my lighting was(what I thought to be) rust free. but the rad support was rotten at the mount area. EVERYTHING else was SPOTLESS.
The rear spring hangers and shackles are know to be troublesome as well.
Check the bottom seams of your doors and tailgate.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 1
if you would like to make it rust free for a potential buyer, take your time and check everywhere on the truck
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Laramie, WY
Well my exhaust had many holes rusted in it, but it's been replaced.
Looks like there is a bit starting above the fenderwells and enough on one shackle to cause the paint to peel. I don't have any shots of the floor, but it was clean when we pulled back the carpet to swap transfer cases.
Other places that I've missed?
Looks like there is a bit starting above the fenderwells and enough on one shackle to cause the paint to peel. I don't have any shots of the floor, but it was clean when we pulled back the carpet to swap transfer cases.
Other places that I've missed?
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 75
From: Gilbert, PA
That is Not rust free to me with the wheel wells blistering like that. But everything else appears to be pretty clean other than the frame having light surface rust.( I would show all pics you just posted)
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
Likes: 17
From: SW Florida
My Southern 96 SuperCab has surface rust on the frame, and rad support. Top of the cab had surface rust, and there is currently a spot at the top of the pass. door jamb where 2 sections of metal meet that is rusted pretty bad. Will fix that next weekend. Other than that, just a mysterious rust hole in the firewall behind the defroster duct, I was wondering where my cab water leak was coming from and found that hole. Of course, then I checked the front floorboards and they have light rust from the water that the jute padding absorbed and held against the metal for however long. The rust hole in the firewall is waiting for a nice weekend when I can pull the complete dash, ducting and cowl panels off and cut out the bad section. I'll weld a new piece of sheet metal in rather than dealing with the rotted stuff. Truck has been in Florida it's entire life to my knowledge.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Curwensville,PA
Very clean truck GBukert! Even the southern truck will have some surface rust on the frame and a few other places, my brothers truck spent its whole life in Texas until last year and has some. we are now gonna give it a nice coat of POR and see how long it takes for PA salt to do its toll
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
OliveDrab76
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Dec 24, 2013 01:54 PM