Truck rusting factors

[Retiredguy2]

I live in mid-Michigan which obviously gets a lot of road salting in the winter months but my Y2K GMC still has perfectly sound body panels. It was Ziebarted when new and I keep it clean and waxed, but while at a local store today I observed a pair of GM pickups about the same age as my truck that were severely rotted out in the lower bodysides and rear quarters. One of them had a rear bumper that was rusted through from the back side..it was a chrome bumper but you could practically stick your fist through the holes. It never fails to amaze me at the disparity between vehicles of the same year and I wonder what is the major factor that leads to severe rusting: Is it the miles driven, or the neglect of the owners to keep their vehicles clean and waxed, or not touching up chipped paint and keeping body drain holes clean, etc. that makes a vehicle rust prematurely? Would appreciate any input on this issue, thank you.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Keep it clean, in a garage but driven regularly to air out, and your climate are the biggest factors.

My 2006 F350 doesn't have a drop of rust but I see them all the time rusting out.

Chris

 

[Retiredguy2]

Keep it clean, in a garage but driven regularly to air out, and your climate are the biggest factors.

My 2006 F350 doesn't have a drop of rust but I see them all the time rusting out.

Chris

Chris, thanks for your input but I always wonder about the owners who keep their vehicles clean YET have rusting issues. Perhaps they do not keep the body drain holes clear?

 

[Tomtint]

Ahhhh, rust. ... Well, just last week I brought my 3000 mile 2016 F450 dump truck that I bought in January 2016, to the dealer because of a break "surging" feel. As I came to a stop, the last 6 mph down to full stop, it felt like the tires were egg shaped. Dealer test drove it and confirmed my thought. Mechanic did something under the truck and drove it again. .. When he pulled back in the bay, he noticed a trail of oil drops into / out of his bay. Back under the truck and the oil filter was rotted to the point that it had a hole and it was leaking ...wtf. The break issue ended up being 4 rotors that had rusted and all 4 were replaced.

 

[Rustyiron]

Try to keep all your snow plowing to the months of May, June, July & August. Then park the truck, it will last forever this way! (I feel your pain, I hate salt!)

 

[4570Man]

Around here rusting isn't a problem. Personally I like to buy rusty vehicles with a solid frame. It keeps the price way down that way.

 

[sld]

A couple of days ago I took my spare down on my 10 year old 2007 F250 (just to clean and grease the cable and mechanism).

I noticed some rust on the bed cross members. I spent quite a bit of time wire brushing followed by primer and paint. You can't stop rust but you can slow it down. I hope I did that at least.

My body panels have zero rust. Galvanized metal is pretty good but if you live on a gravel road and get lots of nicks it will start to rust. From there it all depends on how you address it to slow it down. Some people do nothing.

It boils down to how you take care of it. Even in winter in sub freezing weather I will go to the car wash and spray the underside off. And I try to never leave mud caked in the fender wells.

 

[dfkrug]

It was Ziebarted when new and I keep it clean and waxed, but while at a local
store today I observed a pair of GM pickups about the same age as my truck that were severely rotted out in
the lower bodysides and rear quarters.

I don't miss my years in MI fighting rust. That said, don't some makers now say that using Ziebart or Tuffcoat will
void the vehicle's warranty? I guess they are concerned about plugging up drain holes.

Also, regarding pickups, some use C-channel frames that collect salty road gunk. I gather that could be a factor.
For the frame, anyway, not the body.

Why have not environmentalists in the midwest fought to stop road salting?

 

[ultrarunner]

My 85 Chevrolet is just showing it's first spot... it been outside 31 years and the spot is at the windshield gasket.

My cousin is a mechanic in snow country and he would have stories about brake systems being totally frozen or only have one wheel with brakes...

Amazing how climate/exposure varies.

 

[davepg1]

For the past few years, in the fall I wash the underside of my 98 GMC dually, let dry and spray the underside with Fluid Film. I now use it on anything around the farm that might rust. It seems to be the only thing that works well. It seems to last about one winter, then spray it down again the next fall. The GMC doesn't have a spot of rust anywhere.