Frame rot

[MarkEagleUSA]

I thought ALL you guys up Nawth drove you trucks off the dealers lot straight to get it Z-Barred.

I got my 03 in 17 so Mother Nature and Father Time had already had their way with her...

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Mine was Ziebart treated from new and I did their annual updates up until the Ziebart store I was using closed 2 years ago. It didn't help the way I had hoped it would have.

Without any weep holes I think it's just a matter of time, especially with the salt products used on the roads these days.

It's a damn shame that they can't come up with a better way to melt ice, especially with the cost of new vehicles.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

He could have quite the business just from us unlucky 3rd gen owners here on TDR.

I'm really surprised someone hasn't done it yet. I did talk to my machinist friend that did mine about how hard it would be to churn these pieces out on a CNC machine and he said ultimately parts like these want to be done on some sort of press. All the setup and machining jacks up the cost quickly.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

The difference is, Mark can weld. If I tried that myself it would look like a 3 year old did it.

You're too kind. My welding skills aren't ready for prime time.

This project had some unique obstacles as well. Mainly, with the frame rotted the way it was, putting it on a lift seemed risky. That meant having to work on the ground in some very contorted positions.

 

[mwilson]

Well, I guess I had better check mine.

Have it out of storage today so I’ll crawl under it later..

 

[jgillott]

Ouch! Is that the bottom or side of the rail?

It's is the side of the rail.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

It's is the side of the rail.

Does the bottom seem ok at that spot? Not sure why the side would go before the bottom.

 

[jgillott]

Does the bottom seem ok at that spot? Not sure why the side would go before the bottom.

I'm going to chip away at it today and see how far it has gone.

 

[Timd32]

Its truly amazing how even one season missed it could ruin a vehicle.

No place near me does any sort of undercoating protection like Krown or Ziebart stuff, I've talked to the local folks who do our LineX, they do an oil almost looks like asphalt based system that is beyond nasty for a brand new vehicle, its more for HD I beams or like an old school truck. From what I saw if I did that and tried to use my MaxCare I think I would have issues.

On the frame parts.
I wonder if a patten could be water jet or laser cut then bent up. I see those places like OshCut and the sort where you upload your pattern, even Metal Supermarket has some services like that.

But it really gets specific on the are of frame needed.

On the spray foam them make open cell and closed cell material, some better then others that could make it much worse up here as this stuff lingers and if it says like near 0 for a few weeks it's pretty hard to rinse the brine and salt solutions off. But sounds like a solid plan in dry areas.

 

[jgillott]

Update on my 2007. First, here is a little better picture of the rust after chipping away at it.

The truck is going tomorrow to a welder from the area who is going to repair it for me. I found him from a recommendation of a friend of mine. Hopefully, everything will work out. I had a very difficult time finding someone to take the job.

I'll post some pics of the repair after I get it back.

 

[SnoKing]

People tend to say the motor will out last the truck, guess they are correct!

 

[jgillott]

People tend to say the motor will out last the truck, guess they are correct!

And though certainly not perfect, it doesn't look that bad from the top side. Frustrating to say the least.

 

[SnoKing]

And though certainly not perfect, it doesn't look that bad from the top side. Frustrating to say the least.

View attachment 123243

Nice clean truck, go trade it in on a new one!

 

[jgillott]

Nice clean truck, go trade it is on a new one!

Thanks. That may be in the cards in the near future depending in how the next few months play out.

 

[DavidC]

Make sure it has the becoming famous CP4 . Maybe a little extra will get you a 53 block.

 

[jgillott]

Make sure it has the becoming famous CP4 . Maybe a little extra will get you a 53 block.

Reasons why this thing is going to a welding shop and not the dealer right now. I know the problems that this one has. I don't want to pay for new ones.

I'm just hoping to get this fixed and get a little more use out of it before it goes.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

And though certainly not perfect, it doesn't look that bad from the top side. Frustrating to say the least.

I know that feeling all to well...

Hope you can get her fixed. Naturally, I'd love to see pics of the repair.

 

[jgillott]

I know that feeling all to well...

Hope you can get her fixed. Naturally, I'd love to see pics of the repair.

I certainly will. I unfortunately have no idea what the finished product will look like. I'm really at the mercy of the guy that is going to do the work.

When I spoke to him on the phone, he really seemed to know his stuff (he works as a welder as his profession and does repairs like this out of his home shop). He promises me that the truck will pull itself apart before his welds fail. I hope that is the case.

 

[Ozymandias]

Without any weep holes I think it's just a matter of time, especially with the salt products used on the roads these days.

It's a damn shame that they can't come up with a better way to melt ice, especially with the cost of new vehicles.

Why do the Manufacturers in the US not come up with properly rust protected vehicles from factory like the EU ones do?

I like the Cars from here but rust protection is somewhat stuck since the 80s..

 

[jgillott]

Why do the Manufacturers in the US not come up with properly rust protected vehicles from factory like the EU ones do?

I like the Cars from here but rust protection is somewhat stuck since the 80s..

Planned Obsolescence possibly?