Rusty Frame already????
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Rusty Frame already????
I was under my truck for the frist time ever today as I was trying to install my new running boards.....I looked around under the truck and saw the great new frame Ford has built for these trucks...But as I was looking more at the frame, I see rust starting in many places on the frame (moslty by the holes that are i nthe frame) Is this normal? Right now it's surface rust but should I be worried about it?? I don't want my frame to get all rusty and loose it's Strength or anything like that. Would these framse ever loose strengh due to rust?? My truck was build in April of 04.....Should I just get the under coating done to stop rust?? Any info would be great!!!
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From: "Garden State"
I feel your pain. I had a 1989 F-150 and the frame rusted to the point of being dangerous. The body had some rust but the frame was the worst. I have a 2002 F-150 I purchased new in Dec 2001 and the frame has begun to rust seriously. I'm in Northern NJ so they use "generous" quantities of salt on the roads 
. I was told about a product called LPS 3. It's an industrial rust inhibitor that is wax based. It can be applied by brush or spray over a lightly rusted area. If the rust is "heavy" use a wire brush to remove the heaviest rust. It can be used over rubber products as well as screw and bolt threads. I can see that I'll have to keep up every year with the inspection and application of the LPS 3. But If it stops the rust it'll be worth it. It's widely used by Porsche enthusiasts here in the rust belt. I purchased a gallon jug at an industrial supply house. But you can call LPS Labs @ 1-800-241-8334 to find a location near you. It lists for $45.77/gallon and I paid $33.90/gallon. Good Luck.
Whimsey
. I was told about a product called LPS 3. It's an industrial rust inhibitor that is wax based. It can be applied by brush or spray over a lightly rusted area. If the rust is "heavy" use a wire brush to remove the heaviest rust. It can be used over rubber products as well as screw and bolt threads. I can see that I'll have to keep up every year with the inspection and application of the LPS 3. But If it stops the rust it'll be worth it. It's widely used by Porsche enthusiasts here in the rust belt. I purchased a gallon jug at an industrial supply house. But you can call LPS Labs @ 1-800-241-8334 to find a location near you. It lists for $45.77/gallon and I paid $33.90/gallon. Good Luck.Whimsey
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I can't believe you have a 2002 truck which is still new and the frame is as rusty as u say it is!! Thats crazy! I'm worried now..I'm worried that this frame is not going to hold up and just rust away and loose all of it's strengh :-( I want to keep my truck for a long time, and now I have to worry about this frame rusting up on me and getting weak :-(
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: South Jersey
http://www.prp-porstore.com/ This stuff here will kick LPS's butt. Believe me, being in the saltwater boating biz for 40 years I've seen some rust and corrosion. I bought a 88 Bronco 5 years ago that had serious rust starting on the frame. I spent two days under it applying this stuff. The rusting stopped dead in it's tracks and it's still working 5 year later.
Yes, I agree, Ford, GM, Mopar....they all do crap jobs painted/sealing their vehicle's steel frames. So lousy you have to figure they want them to rust.
The problem with the stuff I mentioned above is it works best on "already" rusted surfaces. It goes into rust and solidifies it. Read their web site...
The new truck I really don't give a crap about. It's leased and in 2.5 yrs it's somebody elses problem....but I've been running it on the beach(beach vehicle permit) here in Stone Harbor and Avalon. I hose it off up under after these runs with the dog and I haven't seen any rust...yet..
Yes, I agree, Ford, GM, Mopar....they all do crap jobs painted/sealing their vehicle's steel frames. So lousy you have to figure they want them to rust.
The problem with the stuff I mentioned above is it works best on "already" rusted surfaces. It goes into rust and solidifies it. Read their web site...
The new truck I really don't give a crap about. It's leased and in 2.5 yrs it's somebody elses problem....but I've been running it on the beach(beach vehicle permit) here in Stone Harbor and Avalon. I hose it off up under after these runs with the dog and I haven't seen any rust...yet..
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If I go to the dealer to have them put some rust proofing on the underside and frame itself, will that stop the rust from ever forming on the frame and underside?? I need to do something about this frame since I don't want it to rust up on me!
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From: California
When I leased my then new 2001 f150, the day I got it home I looked under the truck to check it out and saw that every exposed, non-painted metal surface was covered with a layer of rust. This was a brand new truck, which I ordered to my specifications, so it had not been sitting somewhere for months on end. I was shocked at this, however did nothing about it since I only had a three year lease. Last weekend I was watching that show Trucks on Spike TV when they were doing some suspension work (lifting) on a new style f150. They compared one of the stock suspension parts to the replacement part. The stock part was covered with rust, but the Trucks dude didn't make note of this.
What I take from this is that Ford engineers its trucks to contain exposed metal components on the underbody (including the frame, I guess). Does this mean that the rate of rusting is so slow (perhaps due to the type of steel used) that it is not something to worry about over the life of the truck? I don't know, but would like to find out, since I plan on purchasing another Ford soon.
What I take from this is that Ford engineers its trucks to contain exposed metal components on the underbody (including the frame, I guess). Does this mean that the rate of rusting is so slow (perhaps due to the type of steel used) that it is not something to worry about over the life of the truck? I don't know, but would like to find out, since I plan on purchasing another Ford soon.
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From: Mililani, Hawaii
it will probably take 40 years for that frame to get to the point where its an issue....i usually worry about serious rust on floor boards....motor mounts....body...etc. I got a friend(who is an engineer) with an 88 F250, he has a lot of rust on his frame but says it takes a lot to weaken the frame.
in my opinion....even with all the rust and salt working on the frame...it will outlast the whole truck...or at least outlast your love for the truck, then you'll sell it and get a phat new ride in 20 years.
in my opinion....even with all the rust and salt working on the frame...it will outlast the whole truck...or at least outlast your love for the truck, then you'll sell it and get a phat new ride in 20 years.
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From: SE, Michigan
From the factory the paint isn't the greatest that they put on the frame. My 82 F100 still has a few little spots where you can see the factory black paint, but thats under the undercoating. Best thing would be to have the truck undercoated. I wouldn't worry a bit about frame strength with this new of a truck. Living here in michigan both of my trucks have frame rust from all the salt in the winter.
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From: California
Elaborating on my description above, looking at the underbody of my f150 when new, it seemed like when this truck was put together, they took parts off the shelf THAT WERE ALREADY RUSTING, and used them in the assembly of my truck. I just don't see how the amount of rust I saw could have accumulated there any other way. Even if they transported my truck upside down, on top of the rail car, and it got rained on the whole ride down to New Jersey where I picked it up (built in Ontario), it would not have rusted that much. Anyway, I loved my truck, it was great, but I didn't appreciate it being delivered "pre-rusted." 
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From: South Jersey
Originally Posted by MJEmerson
it will probably take 40 years for that frame to get to the point where its an issue....i usually worry about serious rust on floor boards....motor mounts....body...etc. I got a friend(who is an engineer) with an 88 F250, he has a lot of rust on his frame but says it takes a lot to weaken the frame.
in my opinion....even with all the rust and salt working on the frame...it will outlast the whole truck...or at least outlast your love for the truck, then you'll sell it and get a phat new ride in 20 years.
in my opinion....even with all the rust and salt working on the frame...it will outlast the whole truck...or at least outlast your love for the truck, then you'll sell it and get a phat new ride in 20 years.
There's absolutely no reason why any sales person shouldn't have access to these spec manuals...
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From: "Garden State"
The frame of my 1989 F-150, purchased new in Nov 1988, rotted so bad that by Sept 2001 the rear gas tank fell out and so did the spare tire mounting. Every legit shop refused to repair it due to liability reasons, ie lawyers in NJ 
. Can't blame the shops. For my 2002 truck I'll just keep up with the LPS 3. It's easy to apply and is also a good lubricant for cables, bolts, screws, rubber parts etc. My rear leaf srings have already rusted severely and I used the LPS 3 and it stopped the rust and also acts as a lubricant for the springs to keep them from sqeaking. Dunk I think you're talking about the POR 15, which I heard good reports about also. But it can't be applied to prevent rust such as on bolts, nuts, screws and rubber. Ironically my wife has a 2002 Explorer and there is no serious rust on the frame or underside. Yet we park in the same driveway and drive the same roads 
.
Whimsey
. Can't blame the shops. For my 2002 truck I'll just keep up with the LPS 3. It's easy to apply and is also a good lubricant for cables, bolts, screws, rubber parts etc. My rear leaf srings have already rusted severely and I used the LPS 3 and it stopped the rust and also acts as a lubricant for the springs to keep them from sqeaking. Dunk I think you're talking about the POR 15, which I heard good reports about also. But it can't be applied to prevent rust such as on bolts, nuts, screws and rubber. Ironically my wife has a 2002 Explorer and there is no serious rust on the frame or underside. Yet we park in the same driveway and drive the same roads .Whimsey
