rust prevention on older truck

Submitted by Legitimate_Gap_3613 t3_xw7k7y in vermont

Currently stationed (Army) in Colorado and will be moving to Ft. Drum NY in the spring. I bought a 1990 Ford f 150 that is in immaculate shape and other than a bit of superficial rust here and there...has a completely clean and rust free frame...I am from VT but haven't lived there in many years and I am looking forward to being a relatively short drive from home. I plan to use the truck to help my aging parents plow and haul fire wood (will most likely leave the truck in VT for the winter) so my question is this- I want to keep the truck in as good of condition as possible...I have looked into undercoating it to prevent rust but I can't seem to find any products that are environmentally friendly (and i would rather deal with rust then have a chemical sealant that gets into the water and soil etc.)...also since the truck will just be plowing snow and hauling the occasional bit of firewood would it even be worth undercoating since there will be no salt used on the driveway that it plows. Any advice is welcome and I cannot wait to be back close to home!

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SomeConstructionGuy t1_ir5c8m3 wrote

If you have an immaculate 22 year old truck absolutely don’t put a plow on it. My 3 year old f350 just got 5500 in front end work and I only plow my own driveway and my job sites.

It will destroy it.

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Legitimate_Gap_3613 OP t1_ir5cg4l wrote

Just out of curiosity how does the plow destroy it?

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SomeConstructionGuy t1_ir5d9cm wrote

It just rattles and beats the hell out of it. Depending on the plow it’s 900lbs hung 4-5’ in-front of the front axle. And when you’re plowing and the edge catches something the plow will trip, but it still shakes the hell out of the whole truck. I’d guess I put more wear and tear on my truck in the 20-30 hours of plowing I do a winter than the 40k miles I drive. Plow trucks just take an absolute beating.

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brainzilla420 t1_ir4wqus wrote

Seems like you probably don't need to undercoat, but a good round of non-toxic fluid film wouldn't hurt.

My buddy near me does a really thorough job, better than the mechanics that offer it. I live in central Vermont (not near Rutland), and can send his info if you'd like. Challenge is he can only do it when the temperature is above freezing cause he doesn't have a heated shop. But getting it under coated anywhere will be fine.

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Legitimate_Gap_3613 OP t1_ir4wyca wrote

If its environmentally then please do and I will save the info. I will not be moving to NY until the spring so it will be plenty warm by then and all of the snow will be melted..so any info I can get ahead of time is great...thank you!

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brainzilla420 t1_ir52nh0 wrote

Sure thing, I'll dm it to you. Usually undercoating goes on in the late summer/fall, so you're way ahead of the game.

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whaletacochamp t1_ir54zp9 wrote

Fluid film is is a natural product made from lanolin. Any undercoating place worth their salt uses fluid film. The sketchy places literally spray your undercarriage with used motor oil.

The bigger thing is, if possible, to park it somewhere on pavement or cement. Gravel driveways and parking on grass are like rust magnets.

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SomeConstructionGuy t1_ir5cgr0 wrote

Waxoyl hardwax holds up better to spray and rocks. Both are good, but the Waxoyl system is significantly more durable than fluidfilm.

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Nutmegdog1959 t1_ir4xft0 wrote

I use Fluid Film. I'm in Saranac now.

Always buy my trucks and work vans south of Mason-Dixon line. Mostly Ford 7.3L diesels. Always 20+ years old. That's what I can afford, and all I need.

Get a couple cans parts cleaner or simple green. Go to a carwash. Bring some ramps if need be. Get underneath the truck, spray the cleaner liberally. Then spray the underside best you can. Some car washes have an engine cleaner or wheel/tire setting. Then rinse it good.

Bring it home, let it sit in the sun a day or two to make sure it's nice and dry. Then hit the underside (minus exhaust pipe and cat) with the Fluid Film. Use the ramps for easy access. A 6/can case of Fluid Film is about $60.

Even if you don't salt, if you drive to the convenience store the salt spray will get up in the underside there. Even on a dry day. Not to mention the humidity in the northeast.

Good Luck

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Legitimate_Gap_3613 OP t1_ir4xn2o wrote

Is this product environmentally friendly? And t y for the recommendation...I was lucky to find this gem of a truck in CO where they don't use salt..love the northeast but would never buy a used car there since cars really take a beating from the salt usage!

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Nutmegdog1959 t1_ir517fj wrote

Yes, environmentally friendly, it's a non-petrolatum lanolin based. No solvents whatsoever. Think of it as Bag Balm for your car/truck.

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btwnmtns t1_ir5hnma wrote

Off topic a bit, but for someone who is currently beginning their search for an older Ford, any tips? How and where do you search?

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Nutmegdog1959 t1_ir5kjs8 wrote

Municipalities buy heavier duty Fords. They are generally reasonably well maintained.

https://www.rbauction.com/

Govdeals.com

Check your local State/City/Town/Village surplus equipment auction.

You need to be selective. Lots of stuff is beat up pretty bad.

Every now and again you can find a decent, low miles, slightly dinged up, not quite retail ready truck that needs a little work. If you're patient you can find something.

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Ej1992 t1_ir813mz wrote

Get underbody protection like fluid film or the wax one. Just would not recommend the rubberized ones, they chip, and then moisture finds it's way under the layer and rusts worse

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durpdurpturd t1_ir4z62k wrote

Driving a 1990 pre-emissions truck is not environmentally friendly. Letting it rust to pieces and buying another one in shorter time then if you undercoated it isn’t either. Gotta pick your poison.

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Legitimate_Gap_3613 OP t1_ir50k8q wrote

Fair enough...it wouldn't be driven as a daily use vehicle...just used to plow a driveway and haul some fire wood..It won't get driven more than 30 miles in a year which is why I wondered if I could get away without the undercoating

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