2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Anyone had issues with Tailgates rusting?

[Silver Bullet Ram]

Mine did was fixed, looks like it is coming back. A Friend had his fixed twice and a replacement tailgate which rusted too. It is at the bottom seam.



Gary

 

[bmoeller]

I noticed mine is starting to do it at the lower seam also.

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

I wonder if it is that wax goop that is on the seam that traps all the dirt and salt?



Gary

 

[bmoeller]

Haven't seen anything like that, but mine is a '97, so maybe they didn't use any on it.

 

[BoostIsGood]

Not my tailgate, but both doors have been repaired under warranty



DC must use that cheap Chinese steel

 

[Royal]

No problem with rust in Tucson. You guys run in to much salt and water. Not DC fault.

 

[DOUGMartin]

My gate is fine but the cable on the side rusted threw like one day it was there the next it wasnt.

 

[BoostIsGood]

QUOTE]Originally posted by Royal

No problem with rust in Tucson. You guys run in to much salt and water. Not DC fault. [/QUOTE]



Thats bullcrap. When I see all kinds of 8 and 9 year old Chevys and Ferds running around with no rust and my 4 year old truck has two new doors before the warranty runs out it makes me worry. I will probably keep my K5 to run in the winter just for this reason, plus I wont have to worry about fuel issues.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Driver's side door on the '94 is rusted right through on the bottom.



The lip seal on the bottom of the driver's side door on the '98 is having similar issues... . Dad's '98 has the same problem.



Tailgates are all okay, though...



Matt

 

[Challenger-II]

Tailgate on my '99 was replaced under warranty. The body shop sprayed a rust preventer wax throughout the inside to help in the future.

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

Well when i see Dodge trucks from the 80s and 90s that are rust free to very little rust makes me question Chrysler and the use of galvanized steel. Through out the 80s and 90s they galvanized there trucks. My theory is when times got hard for Chrysler in 2000 and they started looking for ways to cut costs, galvanized had to be the first to go. I also question that goo that is on the seam that catches all the dirt. My truck did not see the salt and snow this winter.

 

[Kernel]

Mine bubbled up and started looking like crap above the 4x4. I took it to a Dodge dealer and they said they would help out some but only if it was rusted clear through the metal. I would have had to take it down to the metal and my luck would be it wouldn't be rusted through and I would be stuck. There are no stratches or dents there either, the paint has now popped and leaks water after it rains. Estimates here are like $400 to paint the stinkin' tailgate and that's not fixing the other dents . Going to get it repainted soon I guess.





Scott

 

[EBottema]

If the back of the tailgate has screw on it to look inside, open that up and undercoat the crap out of it!



Erik

 

[DGFoster]

None on the bed or the gate,but from underneath the floor boards were looking rough.

 

[justinp20012500]

I know what you guys are talking about. It the bottom lip in the tailgate. Its most easily seen when the tailgate is down. I noticed mine start to rust after the first salty winter. I just take the tailgate off and wax the hell out of the seam and don't!! wipe the wax off.

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

I think the wax is the problem. It traps salt. I noticed a rust spot on the wax and wiped the rust spot off the wax.

 

[EBottema]

The big problem is the seam that is there allows salt and mosture to get trapped between the spot welds. If you are going to repaint the thing you need to either clean it up and get some 3m seam sealer or get the mig welder out and put a pass on it to seal it up



Erik

 

[John - K5AWO]

Or, you cold drill some weep holes in both ends of the tailgate and a flush hole to let you run some fresh water in there and get the salt out.



Trucks don't rust in the desert... ...

 

[SMorneau]

Rust is a fact of life here in MN. I don't like it and I fight it but it always wins. Always. It doesn't pay to keep miles off your vehicle in this country better to drive the wheels off of it and let the mechanicals and body die in the same century



The best thing I have found for the door and tailgate seams is to spray them with the Amsoil (don't start on the amsoil stuff) heavy duty rust protector which goes on thin and sets up a very waxy film when the carrier evaporates off. Shoot it inside and let it drip out.



I had my Dodge Ziebarted and it helped but, IMO, their guarantee is worthless and taking it in every year buys you little additional protection over the initial treatment.



I have seen several 2nd gen trucks with rusted cab corners, door seams, rocker panels, rear wheelwells, and tailgates. Soon enough I will be driving one. I just sold a 93 Toyota that had rusted at a much faster pace than my Ram is going.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

We have tons of road salt applied here in Connecticut too.



Just looked over my tailgate. It looks as good as the day I drove it off the lot (10+ years ago). No problems.