Hey guys,

I was just wondering if anybody on here is running any mud flaps. My thought is that if I can get any wide enough, it will keep my tires from kicking stuff up onto the body of the truck. I'm going to be driving it all winter, and I live in Illinois where they salt the roads mercilessly. Any other suggestions as to what I should do to minimize rust? I've basically gotten rid of all the rust on the truck (frame cleaned and painted, new cab corner, new passenger's door, new rear wheel arches etc.) and I'd like to keep it that way.

Thanks

 

A couple of threads for your perusal:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...mud-flaps.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...dentsides.html

 

Thank you. I looked through both threads and have some ideas... My goal is to just keep as much salt and whatever other chemicals they lay down here off the body. Any other tips?

 

Sure.

Set up an undercarriage wash system... it can be as easy as a couple of those oscillating lawn sprinklers... the slow moving kind that swings an arc side to side. Park the rig over 'em, turn it on for a minute or so.

Scrub clean and paint the wheel wells and the back, unseen side of the front and rear bumper. I prefer gloss black because it's easier to spray off dirt and mud from a slick surface than a rough surface.

In fact, paint all bare metal because paint is not only an aesthetic consideration but an anti-corrosion coating as well.

Periodically and liberally spray WD-40 in the chassis' nooks and crannies (after cleaning them of course). It's a light oil and can be washed away in the spring.

Clean out the cowl and the vent bowls and keep them free of leaves & debris.

Use antiseize on nuts and bolts. Torque to spec if required.

Use dialectric grease on all light bulb bases, light sockets, and exterior electrical connectors.

Before every winter, do a full chassis lube... hit up every zerk fitting.

Lube all door hinges, locks, tailgate pivots, hood hinges, hood latch, tailgate latch.

Clean out the door drain holes. In fact, paint the inside bottoms of the door... again, with a gloss paint.

 

i will be washing the underside of my truck and spraying it with a rubberized undercoating, should work well i think.

 

The best way to keep rust away is to not drive the truck. Surely you can find a cheap beater to drive?

 

Thanks HIO, lots of good stuff there, I appreciate it.

As much as it would be best to not drive it, I just can't. I love the truck and got it to drive it as a daily, since it gets 20 mpg now with the diesel. I'm just looking to minimize the rust caused by all the wonderful things they "treat" the roads (and our vehicles) to up here.