Best undercoating for new truck

[24V-DSL]

I want to undercoat my new truck. What is the best method, source, and approx. cost? I'm talking about a very high quality job and materials, here.

Would line-x work? Seems like it would provide soundproofing too. And, these guys know how to mask off for application. Oh, maybe the metal prep work would be too labor intensive, i. e. , expensive? I'm after a line-x look.

Any help appreciated.....

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White 2001. 5 2500 ST, SWB, 4X4,QC, AUTO, 4. 10's, LSD, 285/75/16 On Weld Outbacks, PIAA 510's, Line-x, Tinted glass, Redline 85+, Blow-by-bye, RE-0880 & 25-0880,muffler fell off,level truck with 2" tuff country kit, Bilsteins at the corners, Di Pricol egt and boost, Mag-hytec "original flavor" transmission pan and Dana 70 diff. cover. Custom Plate 24V-DSL

 

[RonaldLarson]

I believe you will void your body rust warranty if you undercoat. It's already chemically treated and there are critical drain/air holes in the body which should never be closed. Check the dealer's or your own warranty booklet which came with your truck.
Ron

 

[rotohead]

I undercoated with Ziebart when new. After installing my SS fuel line kit from Brandon (nice kit Brandon, thanks) the fuel cut right through the coating on frame rail. I could remove the undercoating easily with the wipe of a rag. If I had to do it over again I would not use Ziebart or any other similar product. A waste of money. Made the plastic wheel wells look like s**t too even after I told the guy not to shoot them.

-Chuck

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'98. 5 2500 QC ISB 4x4 SLT, Auto w/Transgo shiftkit, JRE 4" exhaust w/5"Tip, DD II's w/Module&Elbow, VA box, Rancho 9000's w/in cab adjust, Mag-Hytec trans&diff covers, Jacobs E-Brake w/BD autoloc, trans temp, boost & EGT gauges, 2Low Kit, Air Horns, Catz MSX, Drawtite Front Hitch, Brite Box, Steel Horse Billet Grilles, AirBullDog hood induction system

 

[BV]

I had mine undercoated as soon as I could - In fact the dealer I went through offered it as a dealer installed option for $150 so I called my local dealer and they would do it for $100 if it didn't need to be cleaned (which it didn't). The coating they used is a commerical grade stuff you can buy from Auto parts stores that is a liquified rubber. Yes solvents and fuels will soften it up and it does remain sticky for quit some time. The LineX sounds good but the prep looks like it would be very labor intensive.

As a side note the only advantage you really get is sound proofing since the metals are all coated from the factory.

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'99, 2500, QC, blah, blah & blah

 

[24V-DSL]

Thanks for the feedback.

I've since talked with Line-x, and they tell me it won't work for undercoating because it is applied at such high pressure... . 2500psi. Too hard to move around tight places with the wand, and too hard to mask off wires, etc. , which won't take the high pressure application. Also, most don't have hoists.

Rotohead... . thanks for the heads-up on Ziebart.

BV... . I'll look into what the dealer's are offering.


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White 2001. 5 2500 ST, SWB, 4X4,QC, AUTO, 4. 10's, LSD, 285/75/16 On Weld Outbacks, PIAA 510's, Line-x, Tinted glass, Redline 85+, Blow-by-bye, RE-0880 & 25-0880,muffler fell off,level truck with 2" tuff country kit, Bilsteins at the corners, Di Pricol egt and boost, Mag-hytec "original flavor" transmission pan and Dana 70 diff. cover. Custom Plate 24V-DSL

 

[CCahill]

I have had way good luck with 3M undercoating, and a Shutz gun. . It won't take much pressure to run the gun, plus it can be painted. . My last 2 trucks, I taped off the rockers, sanded same, masked of the rest of the truck, then sprayed the rockers... later that day, mixed up some paint, same color as truck, and shot the rockers again. Now I had a chip proof, and slightly dent resistant, pair of rockers. As soon as I do the Ram, I'll post a pic... . 3M,good product!!

Colin

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2001 Quad,4x4,AT,4. 10LS,LB,Loaded enough,stock,mostly... . 65 Chevelle sedan, Hella nice driver, 53 Nash Rambler Convt,1 of 653 built,[not a Metro], GM drivetrain, injection, and auto/od
Specialized FSR PRO Stumpjumper,Cannondale F2000, Loaded
MTD Lawn tractor with flames
12' fishin' boat, loaded. .

 

[DieselDoghouse]

I'm with Ol Ron on this one—way back when I bought my '98 I called Dodge Tech line to ask about undercoating and got an emphatic no! "if we thought it needed it we would ship them out that way" I'd also read in several auto trade mags if the undercoat skin fails anyplace it can trap moisture behind it and speed rusting as the chassis and panels can't dry out. All I can say is after 3 winters in Taxachussets (birthplace of the 'Salt eats Cars' bumperstickers) the only rust I have is on the hitch receiver! Of course, years ago dealerships pushed undercoating as a profit item…

 

[rmrc]

I have to side with Ol Ron and Dieseldoghouse. I've seen many a case where the undercoating accelerated rusting due to clogged or closed drain holes. I'm sure if you look around you'll see many older trucks with solid bodies that never had under coating applied. Just my opinion.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I have a 94 Chevy woth NO rust and NO undercoating and i live in the northeast where they LOVE to dump salt everywhere. Save your Money, your Ram does need undercoating, it will not see any rust for at least a decade, probably longer. Also, kiss your underbody rust warranty goodbye if you do. The only thing you will gain is a quiter ride, thats it.

 

[EricBu12]

Went to the parts store and bought about 4 cans of the undercoating in spray can form.
cost is minimal and I did it when it was still clean. did miss an area though, the spare tire was still in place, not too big of an area though.

better than no protection at all

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2001 QC 2500 4x4 bronze W/two tone Driftwood, 24valve HO 6sp. Westin side bars, fender flares, Rancho RSX off-road shocks, Spray on bedliner, Leer shell Painted to match with LED marker lights, Bf Goodrich AT Tires. Bed rug inside shell W/aux marine deep cycle batt for lights, etc. M Brolins' CB mount.
Name of rig is "big bronze Brute"

 

[David Pendleton]

What about the axles, driveshaft, and front suspension components? One of the things I liked about my truck when it was new, was that the everything under the truck was painted a nice, flat black. These components are now covered to varying degrees with surface rust. Can I (or should I) clean them up and spray a little Rust-o-leum on them?

 

[EricBu12]

David,
i was going to do the same thing. I have a 2001 and it is starting to do that also. I did a undercoating with spray style and I want to paint the rear axle since it is highly visible from the rear on a 4x4.
use the kind of paint that don't need primering but use thin coats first

Eric


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2001 QC 2500 4x4 bronze W/two tone Driftwood, 24valve HO 6sp. Westin side bars, fender flares, Rancho RSX off-road shocks, Spray on bedliner, Leer shell Painted to match with LED marker lights, Bf Goodrich AT Tires. Bed rug inside shell W/aux marine deep cycle batt for lights, etc. M Brolins' CB mount.
Name of rig is "big bronze Brute"