Lets's talk Corrosion, a.k.a. Rust!

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pokey

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I live in upstate New York,close to the boarder with Canada.I am starting to see fewer OBS trucks around,natural wear along with rust.Our problem area is the frames on these trucks,where the front,firewall forward,is welded to the c channel of the remaining frame.When I had my 95c1500 apart, I sand blasted the frame,then painted it with POR15.I was lucky as nothing was rusted through.If you ever had one of these completely apart,drive train,front clip,cab,and box,you might be surprised.It reminded me of the old trick that was used on 55 -59 trucks,that was to weld a sub frame from a Camaro to replace the strait axle and have a relatively new driving truck,along with the platform for your choice of engine.But back to the rust issue.I seem to recall that GM was promoting the use of 'hydro forming' the frames on these trucks.I wonder if this might play a part in why we see the rust problems that we have.The only other issue that might play a part would be the use of different qualities of steel,assembly plant to assembly plant.As I said,my truck has always been in the North East.The only real problem I had,was every line,brake and fuel,was rusted.As you know yourself from working on these ,or any vehicle from this part of the country,that is the price we pay for living here.I replaced all brake and fuel lines with stainless steel.I read somewhere,that every gear head should do at least one "body off" in their automotive life.It is usually a matter of time or money,or the reverse.My truck is 10 plus years in the making, and I stopped counting the money.
 

Mikeee404

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Rust on these is almost the norm in Wisconsin. You see a GMT400 rolling around with intact fenders, rockers, etc you can’t help but stare. Seems like damn near half the pickups rolling around town one year are gone the following year because frame cracked just behind the cab. Don’t want to chance another winter with my Burb, frame is going to need some reinforcing soon before it’s too late to save at all
 

1ton-o-fun

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My truck is 10 plus years in the making, and I stopped counting the money.

Never...EVER.. keep track of the money. Unless you want to drive yourself insane. You rarely ever get all that you've put into a vehicle back out of it. -If you've done it (restore/refurbish/enhance) correctly.
As far as doing at least one frame-off deal, I think this truck will be it for me. If I'm lucky, I might be able to body swap the Vic, but it seems a lot more daunting than the truck. We'll see.
 

letitsnow

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Never...EVER.. keep track of the money. Unless you want to drive yourself insane. You rarely ever get all that you've put into a vehicle back out of it. -If you've done it (restore/refurbish/enhance) correctly.

Ha! I have a notebook where I keep track of every penny spent on each vehicle. That includes tax, license, etc..

Looking at that book made me put the credit cards away and start buying older trucks...
 

Hipster

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Yep. The first car I ever tried to block out was a vw bug.
Hard damn cars to learn on which is why Dad picked that one for me.
Nothing but curves. Not a flat spot on a bug.
Bondo it, sand it all off, crap.
bondo it, sand it all off, crap.
God I hate those cars
I've done quit a few Bugs in my lifetime. Best analogy I can come up with. They are like trying to paint a basketball. lol
 

stutaeng

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Well, my old college roommate who works for a government agency decided to take a job in Pittsburg, so he packed his stuff, wife and kids from OK and moved. We were talking yesterday and I casually asked how he was going to deal with rust on his vehicles up there...well, let's just say he apparently didn't know about rust up there! :confused:

I told him to watch a few YT videos on applying Fluid Film...didn't really know what else to say, LOL. :D
 

99Yak

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Tell him to compare the price of a new car to the cost of a weekly car wash during the winter. It's the brine that really eats them up. That stuff is coustic.

Fluid film is good. I do Krowne on the Suburban and wash (under carriage) the winter truck regularly.
 
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