Hi guys. My 95 is down for a transfer case rebuild, I think I can handle that OK. But the rust seems to be getting steadily worse. I've already replaced a brake line and made repairs to a fuel line and the filler neck. Now, I see I have another fuel line leak. So thinking I might drop the tank or even pull the bed and do a little sand blasting while the TC and trans are out. Have any of you tried this, if so, I sure would like to hear what worked for you...Bruce

 

If your gonna sand blast be sure and cover the metal with something or it will get worse. The best thing you could use would be POR-15 or something of that nature. If your on a budget, rustoleum would be better than nothing.

Its odd how rust suddenly explodes after a vehicle sits for a while. I never had a spot of rust on my Pathfinder. As its sat the underside has started getting a light coat.

 

Personally I like zinc chromate (now phosphate) primer. Id clean the metal off and prime it well with that stuff and topcoat with something like SEM rust shield or POR-15.
For stuff that you cant get to like inside doors and rocker panels, Ive found phosphoric acid/zinc treatments and even zinc cold galvanizing paint work well on.
Im trying some paraffin spray stuff this winter. I think eastwoodco.com sells it.
I just painted the underside of the cab with zinc paint and plan on using the paraffin over it since you cant really topcoat this paint.
I just got done replacing one rocker panel and cab corner that was trashed from rust. I sprayed the inside of that with zinc as well. You can pull the body plugs from behind and get a straw in there to spray with.

You might want to blow out your front cab supports with compressed air and keep an eye on the front of the cab where it slopes down to the floor.

 

Good ideas guys. Yea I know I have to coat it with something, I'm leaning toward epoxy paint for the frame and maybe one of the things you recomended for the underside of the cab. The truck looks pretty good still but has little hole coming through above each rear wheel and a few other spots. I want to put off the body work though till next summer and just try to get the undercarriage stuff under control before plowing seasons starts. Bruce

 

My theory is that if a vehicle is moving down a roda it has 4 wheels constantly throwing abrasives up on the frame which probably controls rust. Stop driving it and you have stopped throwing abrasives at it.

 

What about those electronic rust preventers where you hook anodes up to the frame? Anyone have any experience with those?

 

I heard about them but it sounds more like snake oil.

 

I gotta wonder about these too. In the boating world these make sense because it's the electrolysis with the water that does the corrosion, kind of lke a battery. You put a softer metal anode on the piece of submerged metal equipment so it corrodes firt, as the electrolysis is drawn to it. On top of that, anodes are more important in salt water, which is more corrosive, and conducts electricity better. When I spoke to more experienced boaters about my aluminum pontoon boat they said not to worry about anodes unless I would be using it in salt water, and it would be moored in salt water. Since I am only going it fresh, or brackish water, and I pull it out of the water after every outing, I don't need to mess with the anodes.
Since you do not normally have your truck in contact with water, much less salt water, I am doubtfull that this would be a useful solution.

Chris

 

I think they best route is to spray down the underside of the bed and cab with cold galvanizing paint and some paraffin spray over that.
Eventually I want to do the frame which will probably be just an epoxy primer. Maybe some of that ceramic chassis black eastwood has.