Too rusty, or ok?

Looking at this 08 DC SR5 with 184k listed for $9500. I had a first gen 2005 for only a month previously but the rust scared me off. And had a rusted out jeep tj before that ha. So I'm nervous about rust haha. Curious based on these pics from the seller, what do you think of the rust on this one? Mostly looks like surface rust to me..

I checked the VIN and there's no open recalls, so even though some 07-08 were eligible for frame replacement, it doesn't look like this one is..? (Still might call a dealer to double check.)

 

Looks mostly like surface rust. The only thing I see that looks bad are the welds holding on the steps! also, you may want to test drive it. Looks like there is an aftermarket exhaust on it. You may hear a lot of drone with in the cab.

 

I personally don't think it looks that bad. If you do decide to purchase it. I would do an undercarriage spray to make sure no salt or anything remains.

 

That frame looks good; I would have no problems with it. You could always use a wire wheel or angle grinder to get the surface stuff off and repaint but it looks fine as it is.

 

Awesome, thanks! That's what I was thinking, agree with all above points - steps look like crap, but those wouldn't last long anyway. And 1000% do some por15 or Eastwood followed by fluid film.

 

doesn't look too bad but living in AZ you should find trucks with no rust at all

 

Great color too

 

I just fixed it.. I'm not from Phoenix lol I'm in detroit. So rust is par for the course around here. Given that, I don't think it's too bad. Just wanted some other opinions

 

I think it looks super sharp. I think it's the desert sand mica?

 

Howdy from DFW and nice find

 

then its a good truck. usually they are very rusty in the midwest

 

Name it Rusty, then it will be OK.

Doesn't look too bad for the mileage

 

The bed is what I would be checking, the rest looks fine. Lots of posts on here about rusty beds. The rust actually starts ubderneath and works its way up, check for bubbling paint.

 

Have you gone to see it yet ? I would have a look under the truck myself just to be sure , just because there’s no way of knowing if those pics were taken yesterday or a couple years ago .

 

Going tomorrow. It's a 45 min drive from me (and I don't know if it's technically "legal" in MI right now as non-essential travel ), so I had asked the owner for as many pics as he could get before I made the drive. Based on feedback here, it seems like it's at least worth taking the time to check it out in person

 

I plan on bringing a flashlight and ball peen hammer to bang around underneath.. anything else I should bring, or look for specifically?

 

Some more pics from seeing it in person. I didn't physically touch any rusty spot that didnt still feel solid and just like surface rust. A few spots do look worse than the original pictures though.

 

Some of those shots were from directly under the bed, closer to the cab. Which I was told has an aftermarket bedliner. But the bed was also covered in quite a bit of sand.. not an awesome sign. How well could this bed rust underneath be cleaned up with a wire wheel and touched up? And obviously just clean the heck out of the bed itself.

 

And a few shots of axle and suspension

 

Finally, half of the engine was clean, the other half looked a little oily which is weird. And there was a little oil seepage around the drain plug.

So again.. listed at $9500 woth 184k miles..could probably get it for close to 8k. Worth it? Or bide my time?

 

ouch..i would pass

 

Yeah that rust looks pretty bad to me. It's still beyond me how people who live in areas where they put all of this crap down on the road for snow and ice don't do some kind of undercoating on their truck. It costs about $150 and 3 hours of your time

 

I wonder if it had a valve cover or cam tower leak that was repaired on the passenger side.

 

Yuck.

 

towards the front of the bed where it had that sand and rust, I dont think you showed any pictures that were directly underneath those corners. that'll be the money shot. it looks like it's come up from under. and those leaks, i'd pass even for $8k.

 

The rust on the front suspension would scare me off.

 

Only works if you buy new. A lot of guys buy every 3 years or lease so don't care. I buy used trucks so to undercoat over existing rust does no good at all.
Good in theory though.