I found a 1500 Ltd., that's dropped in price quite considerably. My question is whether these things will (already) have rust on the frame and key underbody components when and if I take possession, and is there a priming technique that functions to remove the rust before any rust proofing treatment I would buy post purchase gets applied...or am I screwed, and is the only way to ensure you protect your truck from rust is to order brand new and rust proof if the day it gets off the delivery truck?
5thGenRams Forums
Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Rust
- Thread starter A4Owner
- Start date
BackCountryinNJ
banned at member request but still lurking
What year is the Limited? Probably doesn't have extensive rust. I bought my '22 in September and finally put Fluid Film on it today. I was a little sursprised to see how much rust I had at 2750 miles. Some areas on the frame and quite a bit on the back rear. Good thing I protected it when I did!
A lot of these trucks come from the factory with surface rust on parts of the frame and rear axle already. It's nothing to worry about really. Even if you live in an area where they salt/brine the roads, a good wash a few times a month during winter and a really good decontamination wash in the spring after rain cleans the roads goes a lot further than some rust proofing coatings.
Get under the truck with fresh water and make sure to get up in all the nooks a d crannies, especially around f the wheel wells. Remove rear wheel well liners and get behind them. Spray inside the frame. Pressure washer may not help due to restrictions of getting the wand where you need to. I just use a hose and nozzle. Get more water flow through way anyways.
Littlejoe81
Active Member
If you live in the rust belt area, Detroit, Chicago, Wisconsin area, ect... PLEASE spend the extra money and undercoat your RAM when purchased new!! I love rams, 20 years ago the body would rust bad and engine and trans would last forever, but now surface rust on brand new vehicles is crazy and unacceptable. Surface rust is like cancer... it creates streaks, then spreads to the frame and body and then when you finally notice it, it's too late and the damage is done. I had to show Linex areas they missed when undercoating, bc I looked at used vehicles undercarriages and areas not coated rusted very badly, I'm talking new 2019-2022, long story short....I sprayed fluid film after their job was done twice anyway because spots were still missed. I'm keeping this for 30 years or forever so I'm doing my best to protect my investment.. Below are pictures of new vehicles with surface rust! If purchasing used.....look at the undercarriage, because any detail shop can make the interior and exterior body look awesome but they cannot hide rust underneath. Don't let this happen to you!! In a couple of years the whole underneath will be coated in rust... I seen it on the Rams in their used car lot!! LOOk brand new Ram!!!
People can't pay 60-80 grand and have a rust bucket! And Amazon sells this undercarriage pressure washer; do this in the spring when the temperature goes up because this is when the salt is really activated and does the most damage!
People can't pay 60-80 grand and have a rust bucket! And Amazon sells this undercarriage pressure washer; do this in the spring when the temperature goes up because this is when the salt is really activated and does the most damage!
Last edited:
Jako
Spends too much time on here
Great advice if you plan on keeping your Ram. For those living in areas mentioned and with older (now going on 5 years) check out your spare tire also. My spare has been showing rust for a few years now.
My 2001 Dodge Ram is doing fine mechanically but is a rust bucket all over the place. Hopefully I can do better paying attention to the 2019.
Littlejoe81
Active Member
Yup 100% right Jako, sprayed mine like crazy with fluid film, lts good to lower it every year, clean and spray where it rest and fluid film on the wheel!! Thanks
Jako
Spends too much time on here
Same here, fluid film, surface shield or something similar. I'm sure how the wheel holds up depends on conditions that it is exposed to. Mine has not been too "exposed" in 36,000 miles. Do believe Ram can do a better job on the finish for the spare.Yup 100% right Jako, sprayed mine like crazy with fluid film, lts good to lower it every year, clean and spray where it rest and fluid film on the wheel!! Thanks
Mr.Grid
Well-Known Member
I live in SE Wisconsin and when I sold my 2011 Ram 1500 Sport (plastic front facia) in 2021 with 179K miles it had no body rust top or underneath, and little to no drivetrain rust underneath. Yes, it was winter driven. The guys that bought it couldn’t believe how clean it was when I had it on my lift for them to inspect.
After every snowstorm or period where the roads were wet salted and then dried and was clear, I went to the quarter car wash and cleaned the underneath of the truck as well as spraying the body using their high pressure wand doing it myself. Using the same method with my 2022.
After every snowstorm or period where the roads were wet salted and then dried and was clear, I went to the quarter car wash and cleaned the underneath of the truck as well as spraying the body using their high pressure wand doing it myself. Using the same method with my 2022.
That's all it takes
