Long Term Rust Stratagy
2001 Stepside 4x4 4.0 SOHC, new to me at 152K miles with 15 Wisconsin winters. Drove it home last Saturday and started the cleanup. Found rust under the passenger door, at the center of the tailgate, and on the supports for the side steps (part of the metal bed).
As with my other older cars, I wax over the lower doors and rocker panels every summer and fall (apply, but do not buff) as I give the vehicle an annual waxing before winter. I am also liberal with the WD-40 inside the doors, coming in thru the drip holes. The idea is that rust is a maintenance issue in the later life of the truck and not something to be repaired just once.
Over the years I have learned that the wax application on the rust should be done at the hot temps of summer (as the rusted areas are dry and dormant). I scrap down the area first, then I try to do it more than once to make a complete cover. The next summer I pressure wash the area, scrap it and apply more wax.
In the winter I do the automatic car wash with the underside flush. I try to get the salt off after each round of winter storm. For the wax, I use turtle wax, ever since my Dad taught me to wash and wax the family cars as a teen. I would also like to find a better in the door spray than WD40. I think it runs out too quickly, I would like something that has more stickiness so it does not go so quickly.
I am interested in the rust fighting strategies of other northern Ranger owners. What are your trouble spots and what are the solutions. And you guys in the south, please don't give us a hard time, it is a sensitive issue.
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I have also found the spare tire original and the lower structure rusted in place, any suggestions?
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