2500_dan

Ok Guys, I have a question...

I was looking under my truck the other week and noticed that there are several components that have not been painted and are covered in rust. For example, the steering gearbox is completely covered in surface rust. There are also a few other things (I'll have to look again to verify exactly which ones) that have not been painted from the factory. My truck only has 5K miles on it and really only gets driven on the weekends.

With my other vehicles I don’t recall ever seeing components that were not painted from the factory? Seems strange to me.

Just curious.

Dan

bulabula

The tranny is another biggie. Your truck isn't unique - they're all like that.

banshee

It's just some of the cost cutting methods by DC. A couple cans of black paint and some time on a creeper can cure it, though.

John

Pop-Pop

Since the things you mention are already covered in rust, I suggest you use some spray on rust converter. This stuff can be found in most automotive stores in an areosol can. It converts the rust to a hard black finish that is pretty durable or, if you wish, you can spray an exterior paint on top of it. If you skip this rust converter step or fail to prime it with zinc chromate, the rust will work through any paint.

This rust converter is very thin and will wick into rusty sheetmetal seams to stop the rusting. As a vehicle ages, I use the stuff routinely on all the little things that begin to rust. The nice thing about this stuff is that you don't do any wire brushing or sanding to get rid of the rust.

Dodgezilla

Check the rearend!!!

2003Ram

First day I had my '03 home I was underneath the truck painting everything that was bare metal. I did have the luxury of looking at several used '03's before buying mine new, and the surface rust was one of the things that stood out.

I've heard that the Fords have a lot of bare parts too, but I can't confirm that.

2500_dan

It just seems really strange to me that they can leave parts like that unprotected in some way. I would think that Rust, in any way, shape or form, is not a good thing.

cquestad

It takes many many many years before rust has an real effect to thicker walled structural steel or thick cast. Probably 30 years plus before there is a measurable difference in strength. DC saved money and weight...the paint eventually fails. Look under your old truck!

12PACK

Funny you should mention this. I stopped in a local dealer on Tuesday and all they had was one 3500 600 and two 2500 SO's. I wanted to see the differences in the cats (since I read here that the SO's have cats) and was shocked to see how much rust all three of them had. Sure the SO's were built over eight months ago, but even if they were driven a couple of times when we had salt on the roads, it's way too much.

BTW, the cats are different, one resembling a football (600) and one a funnel. Or are they resonators?

ed paul

yup,,this is my third dodge ram,,first diesel,,they all get rusty underneath,,just got a can of black spray paint once in awhile, spent a few minute under them and they looked good,,,,,,however,,the new 04.5 i just got doesn"t have any under coating at all on the body..my 2001 gas ram does!, picked up a gallon of under coating and a spray gun for it for $53.00,,,took acouple hours but it"s all undercoated real good now! even the rear differential,,which I am double thinking if that was a good idea,,,anybody know if undercoating a differential is a good or bad idea???,,,,,i didn"t under coat the drive shaft or oil pan or muffler ( knew better than that) help me guys!!! need too put my mind too rest! thanks ,,ed