I am concerned about road salt ruining my beautiful truck. I have only minimal surface rust on the undercarriage (it's hard to tell the rust from Georgia clay). The body has one tiny rust spot on the large barn door (treated it with Ospho) and on the left rear corner (collision damage). If I keep the thing clean (with, say, a good pressure washer) and treat rust spots before they become out of control, do I have a chance of keeping it in nice shape? What about spraying the underbody and inside door panels with oil? Anyone from the Fairfax county area? Do they go crazy with the salt or is it just if there's a lot of ice? Thanks.

I'm from Fairfax County area. Salt is not bad at all. It only snows a couple days a year here. Hose down your frame a few times and you'll be golden.

Are you talking about moving, or storing the trooper in Va? Why not just por 15 everything?

Moving. My Secret Clearance has (hopefully) enabled me to get a better job. I wasn't anticipating the MUCH higher cost of living vs. La Florida (we have no state income tax here, rent is much cheaper). So the $30,000 raise I am asking for isn't as nice as it seems! Anyway, I just want to keep my Trooper "nice" (it is a daily driver). And I should be able to afford a pressure washer now...Staun makes something called a "Car Spa" - little nozzles that mount to the frame, you hook up a hose, and flush out the gunk. Hopefully a pressure washer will get off the clay. This truck is from Dallas, Georgia and half the state's soil came out of the frame when I washed it! My stepdad (from GA) says it prevents rust though...

Re: the POR-15. Never used it, but I do keep a spray bottle with phosphoric acid in it to hit rust spots if I see them. Works great on surface rust. Another cool trick is to submerge a part in a super-saturated sodium carbonate solution and hook a battery charger up to it. Positive to a sacrificial piece, negative to the part. Works wonders. I plan to do this to the rear door - dig a trench, put in some plastic tarp, do the electrolysis treatment.

Welcome to the rust belt! I'm in Fairfax county too, and my 198k mile old Trooper has almost no rust. A little bit of surface rust on the frame is all that I have (which is treated and could be smoothed out completely). I've only owned it for the last ~40k miles, but we've been driving in the salt-treated snow here for many years and as long as you wash it afterwards you'll be fine. One key is to treat any nicks in the paint with touch-up before the salt gets to the bare metal.

There are many car wash places open in the winter, just pick one that doesn't recirculate the water which will just soak the rest of the car with salt. Also give the truck a good wax in late fall. Some of the Rover guys spray their undercarriages with an oil mist. Something like WD40 - although some go overboard and spray used motor oil on. I can't imagine that dripping used motor oil all over the county is that environmentally friendly though.

Good luck with the job, and let the rest of us know if you are interested in taking part in a wrenching day or two.

-Tad

Wow, 198k on a '94? I have 178,000 now.

It wouldn't be an understatement to say I am paranoid about rust! I've had a '72 VW bus, an '89 Toyota Van, and others. Two things were a huge headache: battling rust, and worn out rubber seals (leaky windshields, etc.) Especially on rare vehicles such as these (and the Troop).

We're looking at Leesburg for an apartment...traffic bad on the expressway?

We're looking at Leesburg for an apartment...traffic bad on the expressway? [/quote]


Traffic being bad is an understatement. The capitol beltway is ranked, i think 3rd worst in the nation. Get yourself a good radio because your going to be listening to alot of it.

Wow, We must be from the same mother...'74 VW Thing (owned for 10 years), '85 Toyota Van (owned for 12 years)and of course the Troopers...Rust is evil, but acid, sandpaper and touch paint work for most of my rust issues.

AWD <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Heh, one of my dream cars is a pristine 89 Toyota Van, 4WD, LE, 5 speed. Forklift engine (4Y-EC)! Real hard to find in nice shape though! Mine had terrible electrical problems. The VW was maintenance hungry, still leaked oil with a BRAND NEW engine (due to the split crankcase design), even with proper head retorquing. Had to adjust the valves every 2000 miles, which is a pain on the "Type IV" motor in the later buses.

Liked the Monty's a lot too, but couldn't find one cheap enough. Paid $1800 for the Troop, has some problems but is a very sound truck. It's funny, I think of winning the lotto and not of buying a nice new car, but of spending thousands on the Trooper. Am I weird? I hate new cars anyway. Last car was a Metro, 50 mpg, super easy to fix, but too small. Also there was the 5-speed Camaro that wouldn't downshift into second...but I digress.

WillV is in Leesburg, might wanna ask him about that area. Yes the traffic on 95 sucks, thank god I don't have a 9-5 job.

I must be weird also. I'm just not impressed with the new gadget laden vehicles. I have the same thoughts if I won the lottery, what older truck would I get to fix up. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />



Traffic stinks anywhere within 50 miles of MD/DC/N.VA area. I've been driving this area for over 25 years and isn't getting any better. Hope you and your drivers seat are good friends.