So I picked up a 2002 SR5 4x4 on Friday. This thing is in great shape - body, interior, engine, only 85k miles. Well it was pouring down rain when I went and looked at it, so I only spent a little amount of time lying on my back in the pavement in a puddle checking out the undercarriage. This is what I found on the exterior:

This is what I found underneath

It obviously didn't stop me from buying it, but it definitely helped my negotiation. Anyways, I don't really have a question or anything, just amazed at the corrosion that's happening down there, and felt like sharing while I should be working

 

wow! Did they wash the undercarriage with salt water?!

Seriously, my '95 has been a chicago truck, and its not that bad.

 

Arrrr Matey! That vessel looks sea worthy.

 

Where are you located? It does seem a bit abnormal to have that much corrosion, but looks like it can be treated with ease. I would invest in a new gas tank protector to keep the wear off the tank itself and then give the truck an oil based undercoating with something like FluidFilm (I love this stuff). Thats an auto trans right? Very nice Runner though, low miles too.

 

I'll look into that FluidFilm - thanks.

I'm going to try to see how thick the metal still is on the rear differential, and maybe sanblast/paint/undercoat it. The backing plates on the rear brakes are in bad shape too. I'll give it some attention, not too worried about it, except for developing holes in the rear diff.

 

wow..i thought mine was bad

my diff is leaking though

 

I'm very thankful for Colorado's dry air and we don't salt our roads. I can't believe your gas tank skid has become swiss cheese.

 

Oh, c'mon now, you're just showing off

I wish it was like that around here, here in Ohio they like to pour on the salt.

 

We have mag chloride and its only 3 times more corrosive then salt.



Maybe people in colorado wash under the cars more?

 

Pictures like that make me SOOOO thankful i live in Tucson

 

Looks like they forgot to rustproof that skid plate at the factory. Everything else looks fine structurally. That's what cars do, they rust, and have a life expectancy. You are not even half way through it. Just scrape off all the loose rust under that black undercoating. It just traps moisture and makes things worse.

 

That is really bad for an 02

 

ouch. Did they spray paint the rear axle to cover the rust?

 

Wow, I thought mine was pretty bad... looked a lot better after taking it to a shop and had it cleaned/converted/undercoated.

 

I bet you will have a hell of time getting that spare tire down.

 

I don't think the Mag C is as bad as salt but after every snow I take my truck to the carwash and hose it off diligently. The sand they use kinda sucks since it stays around after the snow has melted.

 

KROWN OIL SPRAY!!
this is what a 91 from japan look like but i get it krowned and it only seen 1 salt winter and hopefully not another one this year!

your truck is 11 years newer lol



when i bought my truck i was looking for 96-02 but in canada they all looked like that truck with 180 000km plus so i stayed with a second gen and LOVE IT!

 

snow what snow ? its very rare for it to snow here

 

my truck looks like that New England winters. I plan on wire brushing mine and treating it with por15.

 

that's exactly what i'm gonna do. here are a couple pics of my F350 after POR15