Should I Buy This '06 w/Surface Frame Rust?

I wouldn't call that heavy rust in New England really. My first 05 I bought new and was religious about washing it every other week, garaged every night, paved parking lot at work, and after about 70k miles it looked worse that this one. I wirebrushed it all, painted it with rust bullet, and sold it 2 years later for market value overnight. If it's not crusty and flaky next to the converters 10 grand is a heck of a deal if the rest of the truck is nice. A weekend on jackstands and a small investment in a frame coating kit and you could be set. Before I bought the truck I have now I looked at an 06 with 80k on it that was from Vermont that looked worse than this. I could have bought it for 12 and would have if the interior hadn't smelled like a combination of wet dog, vomit, and urine. Absolutely nasty.

 

I'm in the midst of this project now, just finishing up a final wire brushing and then I'll Rust Bullet. How did you like it and most importantly, did it do what it said it will? I tried Eastwood Rust Encapsulator and that just flaked off after a winter.

 

He's at a dead end trying to sell it privately. I'm guessing if he trades it in a dealer will wholesale it because they can't sell it this way. A wholesaler will buy it and do the brush and coat deal, then sell it.

I bet the dealer is offering him $6500-$7,000. What do you think?

 

You call that heavy rust? This is my 04, I was still driving it! LOL

 

Here is what the truck looks like.

 

It has an Undercover tonneau and Westin running boards. Everything including 4WD hi and lo, AC all function fine.

 

Buy it lol , offer of 9300 or lower and if takes it all the better... Good luck looks like all is in decent shape...

 

I did put $100 down so if I piss him off or walk away ill likely lose that.

 

I wouldn't pay over $9,000. He thinks its surface rust. It's deeper than the surface.

 

Personally, being from Ohio, I would scoop that truck up for 10 grand in a NY minute! Most of the responses I've read are from people outside of the salt lines. If you REALLY have the time and resources to clean that frame up, do it! It's a truck and not a Corvette.... Buy it and use it till' it's Swiss Cheese. The people posting no on this thread may have cleaner frames, but they sure as hell want more than 10 Grand for the rigs they drive.

 

As for the rust "paints" I have used eastwood rust encapsulator, POR-15, rust bullet, and I just used KB coatings frame kit on my 05. If you don't follow the instructions to the letter none of them work very well. If you do of the product's i've used so far Rust Bullet has held up the best. But I have to say the KB coatings 3 step process seems to be very thorough and I think it's going to hold up great. And the complete kit was only like $60 from summit. Rust encapsulator worked great on my FJ40 but it never saw salt after the restoration. I used it on my second 05 and it helped but it did eventually bleed through. On my first 05 I used rust bullet and although some of it did bleed through it wasn't bad. POR-15 has to be applied correctly or else it peels off in sheets. And regular paint doesn't stick to it worth beans.

 

Walk away.

 

Great discussion and advice! Rust brings out some strong opinions. I guess it is like gravity around here!

Took another look at the truck and while it has some pitting I believe I can take care of it. I offered him $9,500, saying the rust was my biggest concern. He said $9,900 was his lowest (speaking for his dad whose truck it is). I said I could not go higher so he gave me my $100 deposit back. I said I have the money so if he changes his mind, I'm still game for $9,500. His dad is up for the weekend so there is a chance ill get a call.

To tell you the truth, if I can get it for $9,500, I'm up for brushing and coating the frame. Any more and I'm not excited about the work. I don't want a good deal, I want a great deal! Otherwise I walk and I'm fine with that too.

 

I would do more than brush and coat. Take it down to clean metal first and give the truck a new lease on life.

 

Smart Play. You'll get a call...

 

Pass.
Pass.
Pass.
Don't do it.

 

$9500 may be cheap for a taco, but its still a lot of money. Personally I would not buy that truck. I live in pa where they use salt religiously on the roads. You just have to stay on top of it and clean the underside often. I would just get on vehicle websites like autotrader and find something else. Even if you had to travel a little bit to pick something up. I would get something with way higher mileage before buying a rusted up vehicle if that was my budget.

 

Where exactly this truck is? Town ?

 

No call yet!

 

Do you have a line x in your area? If so tell him you'll do the 10k but you want to take it to them and let them do a structure test. They will clean a small section of your choice of the rust and tell you whst they think on how damaged the area is. If it's surface then go for it and have them quote you in writing a price to clean and spray. If its structural damage. Take it back and say thanks but no thanks.