Rusting Frame

[SierraHD17]

My one truck started its life with a brief stint in Onterrible and came to me equipped with one of those rust preventer modules.  The same truck also had been back to the dealer multiple times with electrical problems surrounding the crank position sensor and they never resolved it under warranty.  First thing I did was unhook and toss that module in the garbage after the truck went into limp mode and threw a code for the crank position sensor shortly after I bought it.  I knew something was up when I cleared the issue by just disconnecting the battery.  No module and it's been fine for almost a year now lol.  

 

I just pull the taillights and the rocker plugs, flush, allow to dry and fluid film.  Much better preventative method.

[High Country 6.2L/8]

12 minutes ago, SierraHD17 said:

My one truck started its life with a brief stint in Onterrible and came to me equipped with one of those rust preventer modules.  The same truck also had been back to the dealer multiple times with electrical problems surrounding the crank position sensor and they never resolved it under warranty.  First thing I did was unhook and toss that module in the garbage after the truck went into limp mode and threw a code for the crank position sensor shortly after I bought it.  I knew something was up when I cleared the issue by just disconnecting the battery.  No module and it's been fine for almost a year now lol.  

 

I just pull the taillights and the rocker plugs, flush, allow to dry and fluid film.  Much better preventative method.

That's possible everyone has a different  story. Have no issues with mine and the dealer does my undercoating since new and let me say this there's not one spot of rust and its 3 years old. The underneath is well protected with whatever so called GM approved stuff it is I'm not sure. Nova Scotia has some of the worst salt roads that will ruin a vehicle in a hurry if not mantained.

[Vuk]

I recently finished repairing some of the rust in the rear end (under the bed) on my 2016 Sierra 1500 AllTerrain (came from NJ, has 40k miles now). Sincerely, it is disappointing that these trucks rust so badly so quickly. 30-year old cars have undercarriages in better shape. Regardless, I think the wax GM is using is indeed a good product, the only problem being thin application. When cleaning it off to prepare for painting, the spots where there were tears (i.e., thick application) it was very resistant to getting off of the frame, and the metal underneath was intact. On the other hand, spots where the layer was very thin is where it washed off quickly, and water and contaminants started penetrating from there on - hence the peeling.

[High Country 6.2L/8]

I had no issues with rust since the dealer undercoated my 17 High Country from new, they used whatever so called appoved GM product. Well all I can say they didn't miss anything and dealing with salt for almost 3 years in Nova Scotia was a good test. They also installed a rust module some say it's useless but I'll keep doing what's needed to keep it rust free.

[Vuk]

I've decided to kiss this frame goodbye in about 5 years and build a galvanized one to support V8 tuning (if the motor and cab stay well by then). Anyway, not sure how the previous owner treated the undercarriage given salty NJ roads, but just looking at condition of very old vehicles that have not been specially treated is disappointing (and appears to be by no means exclusive to GM trucks).

[Beltron462]

I have a 17 Sierra and it has plenty of rust underneath.

[High Country 6.2L/8]

42 minutes ago, Beltron462 said:

I have a 17 Sierra and it has plenty of rust underneath.

Have a 17 High Country it's like brand new underneath

[Vuk]

Weather and salt make the most difference; the frame coating is really not robust to all conditions across the US.

[High Country 6.2L/8]

5 minutes ago, Vuk said:

Weather and salt make the most difference; the frame coating is really not robust to all conditions across the US.

Dealer done mine the undercoating before it left lot, seems to holding up 3 years and rust free and I live in Nova Scotia a true test.

[Doublebase]

Well, don't feel too bad, guys! Friend has a 2020 Silverado and GM evidently didn't make any changes to their frame wax. The truck is less than two months old and it already has surface rust at the welds. Different looking frame though, instead of round tubes cutting across the frame in the rear, they use square tubing. Didn't crawl under it and see if anything else is different, but the rust and wax looks the same.

 

I fluid filmed my 18 a month after I bought it...I reapply twice a year. 48,000 miles and almost two years later, it looks pretty darn good. But I don't think I should have had to gone through those extremes to keep my frame clean. 

 

It's been a real bad winter here in New England, not a lot of snow, but a ton of ice and salt. Everyday it's been a thorough salt bath.

[High Country 6.2L/8]

25 minutes ago, Doublebase said:

Well, don't feel too bad, guys! Friend has a 2020 Silverado and GM evidently didn't make any changes to their frame wax. The truck is less than two months old and it already has surface rust at the welds. Different looking frame though, instead of round tubes cutting across the frame in the rear, they use square tubing. Didn't crawl under it and see if anything else is different, but the rust and wax looks the same.

 

I fluid filmed my 18 a month after I bought it...I reapply twice a year. 48,000 miles and almost two years later, it looks pretty darn good. But I don't think I should have had to gone through those extremes to keep my frame clean. 

 

It's been a real bad winter here in New England, not a lot of snow, but a ton of ice and salt. Everyday it's been a thorough salt bath.

My 17 High Country is rust free and 3 years old, lots of undercoating applied yearly by the dealer as part of the sale. We live in Nova Scotia where any vehicle is bathed in salt

[Doublebase]

6 minutes ago, High Country 6.2L/8 said:

My 17 High Country is rust free and 3 years old, lots of undercoating applied yearly by the dealer as part of the sale. We live in Nova Scotia where any vehicle is bathed in salt

Yeah, you guys are using Krown up there, right? Fluid Film or Woolwax seems to be popular where I am. Think Woolwax actually owns Fluid Film, go figure.

[High Country 6.2L/8]

9 minutes ago, Doublebase said:

Yeah, you guys are using Krown up there, right? Fluid Film or Woolwax seems to be popular where I am. Think Woolwax actually owns Fluid Film, go figure.

Known or Fluid Film is a popular choice yes. As for what's under mine only the dealer knows lol

[lryfer]

Is this happening to the 2018 models as well?  I haven't seen that year mentioned. 

 

I used POR-15 in the past on my 66 GTO frame and under the body when it was off.  

[Colossus]

On 2/16/2020 at 5:45 AM, High Country 6.2L/8 said:

Known or Fluid Film is a popular choice yes. As for what's under mine only the dealer knows lol

I think you meant Krown?