Frame Rust Prevention

Hello gang,

I just joined the forum to ask for advice on my 2002 Tunrda. I know the biggest weakness on these early Tundra was the frame rot. My truck passed the recall inspection and only has a minor amount of rust but I'd like to keep it from getting worse. I live in TN, where we only get a small amount of salt thankfully.

A friend of mind and a video I found on Youtube recommended coating the frame once a year with engine oil. I saw some people here recommended fluid film which I'm not familiar with.

What's the consensus on the best way to keep the frame from developing more rust?

thanks!

 

Fluid Film has been mentioned here numerous times. Think it's a yearly application.

 

I had an '01 Sequoia that I would assume had the same frame recall. Although I didnt need my frame replaced, they sprayed it to prevent any future issues. Did they not do that to yours? Is that not part of the recall anymore?

 

My truck passed the recall inspection. The rust was too minor. I'm just trying to keep it from getting worse. I have no idea of they sprayed the frame as I didn't own it at that time.

 

Fluid Film. I bought a virgin '06 Double Cab from Arizona and it's currently going through it's first winter. I bought a gallon of FF and sprayed the underside of the truck with it, but you will need to do it ever fall.

Personally I think you're wasting your time and money in Tennessee, I wasn't aware they used any salt, and even if they do it has to be such a small amount that I wouldn't worry about it. Honestly how bad is it?

 

They do salt the roads here but obviously not as bad as northern states. We get snow a few times a year but they often salt if they "think" we may get snow. The rust on the frame is very minor(except for one place) but worse in other areas. The rear axle,leaf springs/brackets for the U bolts, have a moderate amount of rust.

How much of that gallon did it take to do your truck? I'm thinking about starting with a few of the aerosol cans first.

 

I used probably a little over a 1/2 gallon. Could have (and probably should have) used the entire thing If I sprayed the bottom of the cab and the box.

 

I wonder if thats something you can have a dealer check for you if you are unsure. I would also assume that you can still get this addressed. I was not the original owner of my Sequoia and I was able to have my frame sprayed under the recall.

 

Has anyone ever bolted a sacrificial anode to their frame?

 

I used this based on others from here.

 

You might want to look into POR 15. POR= paint over rust, Stuff is amazing and you wouldn't have to do it every year.

 

02’ Owner here. Discovered Fluid Film last year here and did an intial application using 2 cans ($23?) right off the shelf at auto store. Took about 45 minutes of crawling under the truck using the little straw to get into all the little crevices. No need for straw on the open areas.

From reading the FF website, the off the shelf spray can stuff gets into the steel capillaries. You can buy higher grade FF made for bridges etc, but they always recommend the thinner stuff applied first and the higher grade over top as it attaches better via capillaries action. Check their website.

It goes on like snot sometimes, so you can wipe it down to even it out and your undercarriage will look shiney new! It does wear off (some) after a year, but nothing that can’t be resprayed and the second coating goes on better.

The spot you want to really watch out for is on the gas tank support ‘cross member’ where each end ties into the side frame C section just in front of the rear wheels. Look for those factory holes where the frame overlaps. Spray some PB Blaster then follow up with filling those holes with a grease gun (moly lithium). Use your fingers and push it in with gloves. Thats the main rust attack area. Follow up a few times down the road and re grease.

If you have time, you can grease rub the entire chasis but getting the hard to reach places is for FF spray.