Buying used from a snow state (Nebraska)

You think they don't use salt in the Northeast? My truck has been covered for almost 2 months already lol.

Omaha average seasonal snowfall is 29"..... We've had 40" already this winter and average is 100"

 

Small world indeed! Yeah I couldn't believe the price. It made sense to ship it here to CA and it was still cheaper than anything I could find closer. Granted, I was looking specifically for a LTD trim, quicksand and low miles. This truck just ticked all my boxes. Enjoy the sport friend.

 

It came from La Vista, NE. I'm not super familiar with the state, but it looks just about as Eastern NE as you can get. Purchase went smoothly, the truck is sitting in my driveway now!

Unfortunately I flew out of the state for the holidays about 8 hours after the truck was delivered so I haven't had time to check it out fully. Seems clean and drove smoothly the little I was able to get behind the wheel thus far.

 

What's the fix for this, or is it just normal wear and tear? In other words - how can I get proactive and ensure this doesn't happen? I dream of driving this truck for 15+ years and passing it down to my son.

 

Hot take.

 

First of all: Congrats on pulling off the long distance deal.
Second: fluidfilm

 

Great steal on the truck! I have lived in Nebraska my whole life in and around LaVista. Your truck is fine and will have no rust issues. Owning a vehicle in a snow state is not a big deal if you have a brain in your head. Every snow state pretty much uses a brine solution on their roads now. Just wash it off ever two weeks of so paying for extra attention to the under carriage and add fluid film to your under carriage every fall and it will be ok.

 

Snowfall amounts versus how bad storms are........ Apples to Oranges. 4 inches of snow with a steady 45mph wind and constant gusts of 60mph...... Temps at -20+ without windchill factored in. Lmao. My New England winters were a cake walk in comparison to living on the high plains.

 

Any how exactly is that relevant? The wind and cold temperatures don’t rust vehicles. North east states are the top salt users for a reason.

 

Wash it constantly. Some folks try Fluidfilm, but if you trail your truck it comes off after a few trips through mud and it's about $100 each application. Others go to the stealership for their "undercoating" they apply annually that guarantees you a frame replacement ... but mine won't apply it so long as there are aftermarket skids, sliders, bumper, or other frame-mounted items present. I wash mine with undercarriage flushing multiple times each week, and in the spring I clean up any surface rust and spray paint it with frame paint.

 

Ya’ll talking like 25-40” of snow is a lot. Try a city with lake effect... buffalo, Erie, Cleveland, etc. after 25 years in Cleveland, and more salt than you can think of (they mine it under Lake Erie) we said no more rust and moved to Florida. Rust free since.

OP - congrats on the truck. Spend some time underneath it... treat the rust, coat it with POR-15, and you should be all set. Enjoy it!

 

Rusting is an oxidation reaction, it actually slows down with decreasing temperature. Rusting would be more severe at regions where a lot of salt is used and temperature fluctuates above fretezibg between snow/ice events. North east is like that.

 

True true. But now we are just splitting hairs. I think it’s obvious where all the rusty cars are.

 

So, I know this thread has shifted to a weather chat ... But now that I have this truck in CA, is there anything I can do to ensure it's few years living in NE don't have any long term negative effects on the chassis? Seems like fluidfilm and regular washes are more preventative if you live in these snow states.

Like should I crawl under there and scrape at any rust looking spots with something? Then cover with something else to seal?

Or should I just chill?

 

Thank you! Luckily it was easier than I expected. Great folks out there who were so helpful and honest on the phone.

 

Me just dicking around. You’re correct about the salt. Nebraska uses much less salt because it’s pointless putting it on the interstate. It all blows away. Omaha and Lincoln are the only heavily salted areas. My brother in Omaha trades his truck in every 5 years for a new one. Reason ............ Rust damage