I just sold my 1997 f150 because the doors were rusting on the bottom inside seam. So I bought a 1999 F350 and like a fool i didnt look at the doors , Well lo and behold all four of my doors are rusting. I figured I was just cursed untill I went looking for an excursion,expidition and navigator for my wife and found that out of the 20 or so trucks I looked at all of them except for the navigator had the same rust. All of these trucks were low mile 20K to 50K vehicals that were from 1997 to 2001. Is this just in CT or are you others experiancing the same problem with rust. Some of the vehicals only had a little bubbling of the paint but others were almost holes in the door seams. And How is this fixable. The ford dealer told me the warantee for F350's is only 12 month 12K miles for rust.

 

I've got a 2000 F-250 and it sure ain't rusting. I'm down here in FL and I've got a lot of buddies w/ 99-02 superduties and none of them have rust either. Must be a CT thing....

 

I guess we all have to start ckecking doors before we buy any used ford trucks.

 

i would look real close because i spoke to few pleople in texas that had the same problem. Take a look on the bottom of the door where the sheet metal is folded over. It sometimes is just a tiny bubble but can get big real quick. If not its time to move to florida.

 

Well, of course living in Connecticrap ain't helping. All the salt and dirt kicking up from the roads, it's a wonder vehicles stay in one piece long enough to trade in. But seriously, I had a 1995 F150 4x4 for 5.5 years, no rust. I drove it frequently up to VT. The problem is that noone bothers to clean that junk out. I take my truck to the car wash, DIY bay. I spend the extra few minutes, and quarters, to aim the hose under the entire truck. It's like going for a cleaning at the dentist's office. You'd be amazed at how much comes out from underneath. I made sure to do this every winter, every 2-3 weeks, no matter how cold it was outside.
So, it's probably not a CT thing so much as a people thing. Vehicles are becoming so maintenance free, it's almost like buying a disposable camera. You just use it up, get what you want out of it, then throw it away and let it become someone else's problem.
One simple word, maintenance. Oil is changed every 3000 mi, the same care has to be done for the rest.
And for my last rant, that paint warranty sounds like a crock. Sure, buyer beware but come on. I thought the original warranty is for 5 years. How does that change just because it's an F350 or because you're the second owner. Have a buddy scratch or somehow cause just enough damge to have some insurance work done to the rusted area. Then, when the truck looks brand new, go back to the dealership and tell them they can kiss your @ss.
Oh, and don't think I'm being overly bitter or bias to this one subject, I hate everything just about equally. Boy I hope someone laughs at this.

 

Finaly found someone that has the same problem as my 1999.
RUST !!!
Lots of rust in all four door seams and tailgate.
I live in Toledo,OH. I checked out other 99 and 2000 models
on used car lots and found much of the same even on F150 and
Expedition's.
I found no answers yet, but still looking.

 

Here's a little tip for all you NorthEsat boy's and girl's RE: cleaning undercarriage - - -

Buy or use your existing lawn sprinkler (the kind that shoots a fan of water front to back) Drive over sprinkler adjust it so it's just about in the middle of yer truck - turn on the water and whaala - the more water pressure you have the better the job it does and it's great for after the muddy off road runs...

 

 

2000 f-150 xlt ext cab
rust at all 4 doors repaired
tailgate rust repaired 3x; rusting again
rust at lead edge of hoos; repaired 1x, rusting again

Anyone else hear that Ford skipped step or 2 in the coatings process?

 

I have a '99 Super Duty SC rust on all four doors! After I bought it, like you, I found the rust under the rubber gasket on the bottom of the doors. Ground it out, treated it and sprayed undercoating on it. Then I replaced the rubber gaskets. This was last fall and it made throught the winter with no new rust. I live in NE MN, everything rusts up here! The truck is undercoated and garaged, hopefully it won't rust off the frame in the next four years. (Time 'till new truck!) By the way the onlty rust on the truck was on the bttom of those dorrs, none anywhere else.

 

I have same problem with my 97. Now Idea why. As a car person I know for sure it comes form the plant, the way they stamp door panels.

 

A friend of mine is an auto body/painter guy for a Ford dealer here and he told me that the problem was the seam sealer,( or lack of) that was used in some of the pre 2002 vehicles, it is suposed to be corrected for the 02 and up vehicles. I'm not sure how accurate this, is but I trust he knows what he's talking about.

 

I'm in CT no rust on my 2001 f250. I always clean around the door gaskets. There is always sand and salt stuck in it. Just stay on top of it.

 

Having done body work for almost 20 years now I'm still amazed at that people spend $40,000 on a new truck and won't undercoat the darn thing "CORRECTLY". Even spraying a little waste oil into the door seams is better than letting the salt and dirt collect and cause rust.

Steel rusts, plain and simple if you don't treat and take care of it you'll have rust.... Putting the blame on Ford because your steel truck rusts is like sueing Mc Donalds because your fat.