I recently entertained getting a 100 series LC...and went to see one. Upon closer inspection, i saw the truck was almost completely rusted away...

that made me think about my 4R.

I moved up from Texas this summer, so have never had rust issues in the south- but now living in NY, with the 4R being outside - winter / snow / salt / rust etc it will become a topic.

I'd like to keep my truck for many years to come... but i'd also like to protect it as far as possible.

Any insight / suggestions from the folks living in the East coast or wherever it may snow as to whether there are any way of inhibiting (aside from garaging the truck which is not an option for me) rust? Do folks spray / cover the chassis with anything before winter comes..?

Thanks!

I have tried Fluid Film based on may recommendations on here and to be honest I am not impressed. It seems like it would work, but it washes off pretty quick and by mid winter appears to be gone and when spring arrives I notice a bunch of surface rust appearing. I am sure it helps some, but not great IMO. I suggest undercoating from a professional shop. My dad has a 2000 Ford SD and got it undercoated when he bought it. Granted it only has 165k miles I believe, but there is zero rust on the underside from many MN winters.

As soon as the Temp. drops below freezing hose off the underside of your truck, this has worked for me for many winters of salt used on our roads.

Any rust will continue as long as there is moisture in the air. I use a rust neutralizer on my undercarriage every Spring. A wire brush will take off any loose shale. It chemically neutralizes the rust and turns it black. Even with moisture, it doesn't start rusting again except in places I've missed. I use Etch n Prep, that I bought at one of the home improvement stores. Just pour some in a glass jar and use a chip brush to brush it on. Don't get it on your skin and wear long sleeves, gloves and eye protection. Just get back under the truck every few months and look it over.

Fluid Film works great in areas that won't see external contamination to wear off, otherwise expect to reapply yearly. Spots under the hood and in crevices are still pretty well protected with FF from last winter.

Even the professional stuff like Krown advises to re-spray every other year or so.

I'm ok with the aerosol FF cans from Advance Auto. Find their 30% discount codes which makes it a bit more affordable. Spray my underbelly in the fall. It's important to get into the frame holes and not just spraying what you can see.

For those of us with older trucks, is there a good way to get inside the frame rails? I've been slowly going over mine and removing/spraying surface rust, but I'm afraid it's rusting from the inside out.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

You can buy this hose from fluid film to get the inside of your frame. This hose attaches to the can and the nozzle has a great spray pattern. Every 1ft-1.5ft there are holes in the frame that are convenient for feeding in the hose. I used this method earlier this year.

Attached Images

 

Every two weeks or so I run through the self wash stall and wand the undercarriage. Worked wonders on my subaru, and I expect it to on the 4runner.

I did some major frame prep and chassis saver paint when I bought my 4runner a few years ago, then been touching it up with rust oleum rattle can where it's scraped off and fluid film in the fall all over frame and suspension parts. In the spring all the crap just pressure washes off easily. I also use the spray hose inside the frame, really easy to apply. FF is still seeping out of some of the frame openings from an early spring application, not sure what it looks like on the inside but makes me feel better.

for inside of frame this another option- Eastwood Internal Frame Coating 14oz Aerosol

I treat the under carriage twice a year , once before winter and then again before summer since warmer temps will accelerate corrosion.

I use Wurth Corrosion Protection Spray
https://eshop.wuerth.de/Corrosion-pr...sku/en/US/EUR/

It clings to surfaces so doesn't run off easily.
I'm sure there are similar products on the market by other companies.

Hose things down good and let it dry completely before applying .

In 3 weeks I am taking a week off of work since I have 2 to burn by the end of the year. I am in the market for a new home so don't want to take a trip and spend the money. Anywho my plan is to protect the frame and axles on the 4Runner from rust. I'd like her to see another 18 years. My frame is in pretty good shape but the rear axles is starting to rust. I am going to get what I can stripped off. Next use GEM Rust Killer on the parts. Coat with Por15 those parts need brightened up anyhow then Fluid Film inside and out or a body cavity wax from work.

I am still doing my research on FF it seems to be a great product but we have a Transtar body cavity wax at work that I know does a great job plus a I get a nice employee discount so I'm still trying to figure out that end of the job between the 2 products.

CorrosionX. Love that stuff...

I have a local guy here in NH who does oil undercoating. Thats all he does. He sprays a mixture of chain oil, wax, and other secret ingredients into a sprayer and coats the frame rails, inside of doors, etc. I have done this a few times and my mechanic says he definitely can tell the difference!

Here is what we do to every vehicle every fall...

Don?t lose your rig to rust, prep for winter! ? Seven Slot Syndicate