Undercoating on a new vehicle

[crazyal]

I've never done it to a new vehicle because of the issues noted. However, Toyota did a recall on our Tacoma and did it for us.

For some reason, the Japanese have not caught onto how to stop rust. Think the German and American car manufacturers have, but, no, to the Japanese. They also seem to put their oil filters still underneath. They just don't get it, but otherwise build fine vehicles. That's all we have now.

Ralph

Toyota's biggest problems were their frames. They wanted to use as much 'American' content as possible and DANA corp made the frames for them. I personally think Toyota has too much stuff made by other companies today.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I always drove used vehicles so it was never really an issue. Then I had three new pu trucks. The 08 GMC frame was rusted on delivery. I regret not getting it rustproofed from new , but started a few years in. I think they really upped their game on the corrosive properties of what they put on the roads.

 

[Tractorable]

My welding instructor’s full time job was running the auto body repair shop for a major local dealership and he got to visit Toyota’s manufacturing plant to learn about how what techniques are used for rust prevention. He came away very impressed with the technology that Toyota is currently using for rust prevention.

I wouldn’t undercoat a new 4Runner at all, and I haven’t experienced any rust on the Japanese vehicles I’ve owned over the past 20 years.

 

[timswi]

The local transmission guy is going to start a Fluid Film or Krown application side business business this year...I'm going to take my Escaclade to him for a treatment. He says it should last a year or two. Prices he plans on charging are very reasonable and hardly worth the DIY mess involved.

 

[PA452]

I've never done it to a new vehicle because of the issues noted. However, Toyota did a recall on our Tacoma and did it for us.

For some reason, the Japanese have not caught onto how to stop rust. Think the German and American car manufacturers have, but, no, to the Japanese. They also seem to put their oil filters still underneath. They just don't get it, but otherwise build fine vehicles. That's all we have now.

Ralph

I've seen the opposite. I've had two Tacomas, a Subaru Impreza, and now a Tundra. Haven't had the Tundra long enough to really say, but never had any issues with the others.

Around 2010 or 2011, one spring day I remember I opened up the hood of my 2007 Tacoma to spray off the salt dust from the winter. My dad pulled up his 2008 F-150 next to my Tacoma to do the same. My engine compartment still looked like new. Under his hood, every single bolt head, screw, hose clamp, bracket, everything was covered in rust. I sold that Tacoma in 2015 and it still had no appreciable rust issues. That F150 got much worse. He still has it today with holes in the tailgate, the bumper, fittings have rusted off, he had transmission oil leaks from it, etc...

On the oil filters, my 2007 and 2015 Tacomas each had their oil filter on the top. My 2007 was actually I think the first vehicle I'd ever changed the oil on that had the filter in a super easy to access location. I was impressed. Unfortunately my 2018 Tundra is the opposite. Not only is the filter underneath, but I have to remove a skid plate and use a special tool to change the filter. It's pretty annoying. I guess they figure most people aren't changing their own oil, and the dealership techs are doing it on a lift where underneath is probably more convenient. That may be the one thing that bugs me, otherwise I love that truck.

 

[WilliamBos]

Get it done as soon as you leave the dealership.

 

[RoyKing]

If you live where they salt roads, the best solution is a drive over rinse bar and park in a heated garage. We had one hooked to hot water heater with a siphon breaker so it would drain instead of freeze. Ten years later no rust through.

 

[oosik]

The four new vehicle I've owned have all come with some "goop" sprayed all over the underside. It soft, pliable - not like the bed liner product X-line uses. Not a problem of body rusting around here. Ice/snow melting product aren't used out here on the county roads. I avoid the "big" city like the plague in the winter. I've never had a vehicle show any signs of rusting.