Electronic Rust Prevention

[Whiplash Willy]

From the responses to my previous posts about rust, it seems like a fair amount of you guys aren't bothered by rust, but for those who are, I thought I would share some information.

I have heard about some Toyota guys using this electronic device hooked up to their frame to prevent rust. I ran across a link to this device and wanted to share it:

How Electronic Rust Prevention Works | CAT III Rust Protection System

I am waiting on a quote from them, but the FJ guys said it is about $200.

I believe the NAVY uses a similar device, on a much larger scale on their ships to help fight rust.

It is an interesting way to address our rust prone frames (due to Toyota's cheap coating that doesn't even cover the welds)

 

[1engineer]

If you really, really want to learn about corrosion and how to prevent it read this Center for Corrosion Science & Engineering and click the links. I read your earlier posts and while you have nothing to worry about other than cosmetic looks (you mean opti-coat can't be used under there lol?) if you still insist on being perturbed then by all means find out what the Navy REALLY uses to combat corrosion. You are 32 years old. At the rate your frame is rusting you will be 72 years old and the frame will still be structurally sound, just rust colored. I debated posting this as apparently you have $200.00 burning a hole in your pocket and you are one of the very few that is bothered by that little bit of rust. If you really want a vehicle that is mostly rust free for a long time you need to move to the high deserts here in North America where humidity is low and rainfall is almost nil.

Edit: Because I'm a nice guy here are a few more links for your reading pleasure

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/glob...l-an-electronic-rust-inhibitor/article535224/
http://reviews.canadiantire.ca/9045...ic-rust-protection-system-reviews/reviews.htm

If you had a direct to ground strap, removed the rubber tires that isolate the truck from ground AND installed sacrificial anodes while driving through water then that system would be equivalent to a ship or bridge and it would work.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

1E, I LoL'd as well at your Opti-Coat comment, you must be reading my posts!

If I could only get my frame dipped in Opti-Coat...I would be a very happy man!

 

[eddiebx]

^^If it were only possible, I rather dip my whole truck in one of those new super-hydrophobic coatings, any and all dirt/salt/water would just fall off, lol.

If it bothers you, have you considered those paraffin wax based undercarriage coatings? It's pretty popular in the north east regions I think.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

^^If it were only possible, I rather dip my whole truck in one of those new super-hydrophobic coatings, any and all dirt/salt/water would just fall off, lol.

If it bothers you, have you considered those paraffin wax based undercarriage coatings? It's pretty popular in the north east regions I think.

I plan on using Rust Bullet on all of the problem areas. I was going to do that over Labor Day Weekend, but my wife decided to have Twins instead, so it may be awhile before I can address it.

I just figured something like this would help those salt state guys, whose frames look like this after a few months.

1E, thanks for those links, I will check them out.

 

[Antman]

You are 32 years old. At the rate your frame is rusting you will be 72 years old and the frame will still be structurally sound, just rust colored.

[MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION]

Greg-
You get around this forum too- havent you seen the 3rd Gens with completely rusted-out frames? They aren't even close to 40 , lol.


I will be paying attention to mine because I plan on keeping it quite a while. I can say, with certainty, that my Titan had much much less rust underneath (almost none) after 4 years than my 4runner at 2 yrs. AND, the Nissan made it through some of the most aweful salted-roads weather I can remember.

I dunno- suspension uprights rusting- no problem. Every frame weld in sight- I have a problem with that. I'm gonna keep wirebrushing and spraying until your frame rots out and then- I gotcha!

Just my thoughts- A/M

 

[1engineer]

[MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION]

Greg-
You get around this forum too- havent you seen the 3rd Gens with completely rusted-out frames? They aren't even close to 40 , lol.


I will be paying attention to mine because I plan on keeping it quite a while. I can say, with certainty, that my Titan had much much less rust underneath (almost none) after 4 years than my 4runner at 2 yrs. AND, the Nissan made it through some of the most aweful salted-roads weather I can remember.

I dunno- suspension uprights rusting- no problem. Every frame weld in sight- I have a problem with that. I'm gonna keep wirebrushing and spraying until your frame rots out and then- I gotcha!

Just my thoughts- A/M

I understand. The 3rd gens and the Tacomas had issues. I suspect it was the metallurgy spec that got messed up. Toyota did step up to the plate and bought many of those back from the individuals.

If you guys really are worried then you need to wire brush the areas, CLEAN them thoroughly with a chemical prep and use rustoleum to touch up the areas periodically. I have no idea how long I will keep my 4Runner. Maybe 5 years and may trade tomorrow...who knows. I know life is too short to not enjoy driving what you like. Regardless, I stand by my assertion that a stock 4Runner frame will outlast the useful life of the truck, rust and all.

 

[1engineer]

I understand. The 3rd gens and the Tacomas had issues. I suspect it was the metallurgy spec that got messed up. Toyota did step up to the plate and bought many of those back from the individuals.

If you guys really are worried then you need to wire brush the areas, CLEAN them thoroughly with a chemical prep and use rustoleum to touch up the areas periodically. I have no idea how long I will keep my 4Runner. Maybe 5 years and may trade tomorrow...who knows. I know life is too short to not enjoy driving what you like. Regardless, I stand by my assertion that a stock 4Runner frame will outlast the useful life of the truck, rust and all.

Edit: I went over on the 3rd gen area and looked at several threads on frame rust. This one http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/102154-all-frame-rot-rust-through-3.html is typical. It ends with "I like Turtles."

 

[eddiebx]

I dunno- suspension uprights rusting- no problem. Every frame weld in sight- I have a problem with that. I'm gonna keep wirebrushing and spraying until your frame rots out and then- I gotcha!

But his frame is never going to rot out before ours because he plans to trade in for a big bad dodge charger SRT with a hemi in it loooong before rust is an issue. He's even told me that he plans to come do donuts around your driveway while you wirebrush and paint the under carriage.



Okay, now a serious question, what is more common with when it comes to frames rotting through...outside in, or inside out? I've never owned a BOF truck before, but I would imagine rotting through from the inside out would be a lot more common since water and salt can sit in there in all the crevices??

I've had older unibody cars rot through, and it all starts from the inside out, and usually due to spots where road debris and water spray can collect...

So basically, I was wondering is there any point in painting the outside surface of the frame if the inside surface could be equally rusted and we just don't see it?

I, like most of you people, don't like to see the sight of rust either; but at the same time if I know I can't accomplish anything that will dramatically slow down the rusting process, I would be more inclined to just not look under the truck too much, lol.

 

[2013Trail]

If you guys really are worried then you need to wire brush the areas, CLEAN them thoroughly with a chemical prep and use rustoleum to touch up the areas periodically.

Better yet, Toyota could do it right the first time then Toyota owners wouldn't have to do the jobs themselves.

Here's current photos from the undercarriage of my 15 year old Trooper with 170,000 miles on it. About the only places there is rust is where rocks and debris have scraped off the powder coating. Otherwise, it's 95% rust-free. With the exception of the bare metal such as exhaust pipes muffler, washers bolts, etc, most of the brown that is visible is dirt, not rust but you can clearly see wherethere's rust in places that the paint has been scraped off. See, Isuzu did it right the first time.