Expected Rust On F150

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Dec 8, 2013 | 02:16 PM

Subzero68

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Expected Rust On F150

I've just sold my 2002 F150 due to some rust ( external perforation) that bothered me on it and I've found a few 04 F150s that I really like. Although I'd love to find a mint one, that more than likely won't happen. How much rust should be "expected" on a 4wd F150 in lower Virginia? How do these frames hold up after surface rust has begun? Also where are the usual rust spots on these years? I ask this because all the ones ive seen have surface rust where the welds are and a little more on the frame ends.
Thanks

Edit: I'm one of those people that want to keep their cars for a very long time so I need to know what should concern me.

Dec 8, 2013 | 02:55 PM

pdqtimetrialer

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From: Cleveland

I have an 04 that I've owned for 2 years and live in the rust belt (Cleveland). I'm seeing some signs of rust on the bottom front fenders near the doors, both sides. There is a pocket in there that collects mud and stones, creating a nice place to hold moisture. The bottom of the doors are thinking of about rusting. So far only surface rust on the edges. The bed is in worst shape, with paint bubbling and peeling because it is rusting through at the wheel wells where the two pieces are spot welded together.

The frame overall looks good. I have surface rust on the welds like you have seen. It will be a long time before it rusts through.

I've been doing a long term experiment with various rust preventative materials. One of the best I've come across for sheet metal is CRC 06026 Marine Rust Inhibitor. I spray it on our vehicles once a year.

Dec 8, 2013 | 05:16 PM

bigunit54

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I have an 04 with almost 100,000 miles (owned 8 years) and I live in northern illinois. Lot of salt put down up here. I have no rust showing on my truck. However there are some places I am keeping an eye on. One is the rear bumper. The inside looks like it could start rusting where the hitch goes up in there. Also that pocket near the front doors the previous poster mentioned. The rear cab corners are something to keep on eye on too. I actually had some paint bubbles on the rear cab corners. I busted them and moisture came out and there was like a little pin hole in the metal but no signs of rust. Kinda strange, anyway I just touched up the spots then. I spray rustoleum clear coat on those areas a couple times a year that I mentioned before(not anywhere that shows). I try to wash real good in those areas each spring too after the salt is done being put down. my frame looks good, just normal wear you would expect after ten years.

Dec 8, 2013 | 05:25 PM

Subzero68

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The trucks ive seen ( and my old one) had rust on the bed underside where the bed had mounts for the tailgate and frame. They were square plates about 3in by 3in that seem to have weak paint on them that flakes off. Another place was on all the corners of the frame, such as openings,edges. No clue on what the inside looks like. I can't seem to find a rust free one where I'm at.

Main thing I'm trying to find on the rust is normal wear looks like on a truck thats been off road and whats cheaply fixed ( yes, I know "cheap" and "fixed" rarely go together). I saw one today that I liked but had some surface rust in the front of the frame by the engine and the very back by the tail gate. Other than that it looked spotless.

Thanks for the replies, keep'em coming.
Thanks