spotting rust

Forgive me for what will likely be a stupid question, but this will be the first time I have worked on anything older than a my 97 GMC.

So next week I am going back home to west Texas to see some family and take an opportunity to pull an Econoline pickup out of some brush at my grandpas farm. I am pretty much going to take to from the brush to a lift at his shop to get a good view of what I have to work with.

What I was wondering is if you guys can give me some pointers on what to look for as far as rust is concerned? I am not to concerned really with the suspension or anything as I will be completely redoing that as time goes on, but I would like to make sure I have a good bas as far as the body is concerned. Also, if any of you Econoline guys can chime in on some of the more common rust areas to look out for that would be cool too.

Thanks,
Chad

 

Look at the Wheel wells, Rockers, under the windsheild and rear window seals, at the floors, and any rain gutters. Wherever theres a seam in the body put your eye on it.

 

Also, cab corners are almost guaranteed on trucks. On vehicles that had eyebrows above their headlights, try to check there, since wet debris could get kicked up there by the tires and start rotting. Check for bubbling paint too. Just keep in mind that rust is like an iceberg; the worst parts you can't see.

 

Very clever saying...

 

Just wrap a chain around the bumper and pullitouttathere; it will neatly separate into upper and lower halves as you pull, making the rustiest areas fully visible.

 

Unfortunately, I can't take credit for that. IIRC, I saw it in the opening chapter of the book put out by Truckin' magazine on repairing '55-'59 Chevy trucks.

 

Thanks for the help. I am taking notes to make sure I cover those while I am down there.

Thanks,
Chad

 

Use a magnet, it's a surefire way of finding mud.

 

make sure you check the body mounts....and inner and outer rockers while up on the hoist

 

Check door bottoms too.

 

If it has rubber floormats, its probably rusted under them. It may not look bad until you start cleaning. The more you clean, the less floor you have until daylight shows through.

I guess I'd say expect to replace floorpans and feel lucky if you don't

 

Bruce, Bruce, Bruce, Bruce........take a look at where the kid is from. If this truck was located and spent its life up here where you and I are then your tried and true process of "pull it and shake it" to see where the doors fall off is quite valid. However, since this guy is located at Grandpa's farm in Texas its likely that if he was to give that good ole Ford a hard yank with his '97 GMC that the parts hitting the ground would most likely originate from the new junk rather than the old.

-Bigchief.

 

Thanks for all the help guys. As I said, I am taking notes and will be sure to look into all of these areas. I have stopped by and checked out the truck when I am down there, but it has been a few years. And I never really thought that he would actually give me the green light to pick it up so I never really took a close look at it. It stays pretty dry overall where it is at and hasn't been sitting on the ground so I am hoping that there isn't to much rust under the 20 years of dust that has ac***ulated on it. We will see though.

And I ***ure you that there will be no pulling done with my 97.


Warning: Not HAMB friendly, but I am damn proud of it so I will post a picture anyway.





Thanks,
Chad

 

Oh, I didn't notice the "Arizona" and "Texas"...there, just look for the Gila Monster nests; their urine is what causes rust in Arizona, I believe.