Where is your rust?

parker_lansing · Nov 26, 2023

I recently bought a 20-year old Gen 1 (2003 4WD). It is a southern vehicle that is about to see its first Michigan winter (road salt).

I'm planning on getting the Krown oil treatment soon. But before I do that, I'd like to know where you're seeing rust on your vehicles.

The primary points I'm certain of are the body mounts, basically anything that is connected to the frame.
Also, I think the tailgate is usually a prime location, especially the bottom interior.

Are there any other places that could be pointed out as being especially rust-prone on these Gen 1 vehicles?

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Update! I got the Krown oil mist rust-proofing treatment done this week (February 5, 2024). I'm adding photos from underneath. Fortunately, this was a mild winter in Michigan, and the roads were only salted once. Krown did a power wash of the vehicle (some proprietary cleaning solution) before doing the coating. They also drilled holes in non-exposed spots on the doors and body to get the coating sprayed on the interior of the doors, tailgate, and other areas, then plugged the holes with plastic. They will reuse those holes during future treatments (once per year).

DILLARD000 · Nov 27, 2023

On this 2001 SportTracJob2,
persistent surface rust on rear frame+attachments: shock+spring mounts\shackels, spare lift...
Also around body mounts, rocker+fender panels, body panels rock strikes\pits.
Try to do an underbody inspection once a year, clean any new rust with wire brush\wheel,
recoat everything in site with FlatBlack Rustoleum,
then SilconeSpray or sticky RedAxleGrease on all Bolts\Nuts\Bushings.
Coat all door+body+tailgate cavities with SiliconeSpray thru any hole available.

rwbenner · Nov 27, 2023

Right front fender, just behind the running light is a common first rust spot. Also look for discoloration to the metal rocker panels just above the plastic body cladding that is mounted inferior to the door. And finally, as u mentioned, the inside bottom of the tailgate. That plastic body cladding that they wrap around the sport trac hides a lot of sin for many years….till it’s too late. As mentioned by Dillard, check the underside/inside walls of the rocker panels from under the truck. If there is rust holes there that hasn’t migrated to the painted exterior, fix it or run!!

I have a gen1, and I want to find another gen1….and those are the 4 places I look immediately.

Dmiranda1269 · Nov 27, 2023

parker_lansing said:
I recently bought a 20-year old Gen 1 (2003 4WD). It is a southern vehicle that is about to see its first Michigan winter (road salt).

I'm planning on getting the Krown oil treatment soon. But before I do that, I'd like to know where you're seeing rust on your vehicles.

The primary points I'm certain of are the body mounts, basically anything that is connected to the frame.
Also, I think the tailgate is usually a prime location, especially the bottom interior.

Are there any other places that could be pointed out as being especially rust-prone on these Gen 1 vehicles?

Few shots of a 2004 4wd living in Massachusetts it's entire life with 209791 on the odometer

I did a body lift 2 years ago and put all new bushings in so that's a plus. Took lots of heat but they all came right out

Doug Kaye · Nov 27, 2023

my 2004 had extensive rust on everything underbody when I got it in 2017. Oddly the body is still in good shape, no tailgate or door problems. I'm not sure if it ever lived in a salt state, thought it was in Colorado mostly, but I've never seen rust like that on any other car I've owned in CO over 30 years. My wife's 2006 MDX still looks new underbody, no rust at all, it's a pleasure to work on it.
Working on mine needs the big can of PB Blaster, a propane torch, assortment of breaker bar and Grip-Tite sockets..

Some parts had completely rusted away - the splash shields / brake dust shields on the front wheels had only a few scraps of rusty metal retained by round blobs of rust that used to be bolts.. The replacements aren't showing any sign of rust yet after six years.
I'm too scared to touch the body mounts..
replacing the shocks needed a sawzall to cut the old ones off, same for sway bar links, as the bolts had rusted into one-piece with the rest of the metal.

It looks much like Dmiranda's pictures, honestly I do have some misgivings about driving it in this state. If the body mounts give way I think it will be a write-off.

Luckily yours should be in much better shape, do the Krownoil treatments and keep up with regular underbody washes.