2012 1500 rust problem.

[jjchan]

Hi:

I bought a 1500 Tradesman crew cab new in 2012. Currently has original 9000 miles (yeah, I don't drive it much), and the undercarraige and wheels are all showing quite a bit of rust. Anyone out there experiencing same with their trucks? Are there any recourses with Dodge?

 

[yillbs]

pictures? There are a load of places rust could be. Without images, or more descriptive locations, kind of hard to give feedback.

 

[jjchan]

so here are 2 representatives of what I'm talking about.

 

[14RAM1500BG]

Where do you park it at? On the grass or on concrete? Do you do a underbody car wash after driven on salty roads?

 

[jjchan]

Park in separate garage. I took it out just to take the pics. I usually spray the undercarriage whenever I wash the truck which is about once a month. Truck is primarily used to grade driveway in the summer, and general use in winter. Since I'm retired and no longer need to get out everyday, the truck is used in winter when it snows to go to run errands occasionally.

 

[Addicted2fishing]

That’s from sitting I would say. On a daily driver water, salt etc gets flung off while driving. Rain cleans it somewhat. My 2017 has pretty significant rust starting on the axle and other more exposed type of metal. The wheels are pretty much your basic steel wheel with a chrome clad thrown on them which in your case is holding moisture while it sits in your garage.

My suggestions would be to get alloy wheels off your local classifieds. You can get some for real cheap. I’m talking Just factory OEM wheels for probably $200-$500 for a clean set. Some guys just wanna get rid of them after buying wheels.

I would also consider a good quality rust inhibitor and have a reputable shop do it. It won’t reverse it but will slow the spread and will also lubricate some stuff and might take away some squeaks etc... You are fortunate enough that if you were to apply a good wax and sealer it’ll last you a year maybe more especially if it’s parked indoors out of the elements. So take it somewhere or spend a day giving her some TLC [emoji6]


Mods: EGR matte black bug deflector, Westin HDX drop steps, rough county bull bar with 20” LED, custom made NW seat covers in real tree camo, husky liner mats, husky liner mud guards, undercover LUX tonneau cover, Tailgate assist, flowmaster super 40 with resonators, tinted 15% front, LED C shaped tail lights. Line-X 5.7’ box

 

[jjchan]

Thanks for the advice. So I guess RAM has a rust problem eh? My daily drive, a chevy volt has no rust at all after 5 yrs.

 

[Addicted2fishing]

Thanks for the advice. So I guess RAM has a rust problem eh? My daily drive, a chevy volt has no rust at all after 5 yrs.

There is another thread somewhere about people posting rust on their trucks. Some with 2014’s with fenders rotting out. I’ll see if I can find it


Mods: EGR matte black bug deflector, Westin HDX drop steps, rough county bull bar with 20” LED, custom made NW seat covers in real tree camo, husky liner mats, husky liner mud guards, undercover LUX tonneau cover, Tailgate assist, flowmaster super 40 with resonators, tinted 15% front, LED C shaped tail lights. Line-X 5.7’ box

 

[Addicted2fishing]

I searched “rust” and too many threads come up. I searched under the 4th Gen. maybe they are using subpar steel and paint. I know my paint is some of the softest I’ve ever seen. The rubber on the gas nozzle scratched above the fuel door.

I’m honestly expecting to have a rusted out beat up truck by the time I’m done paying for it. Something that doesn’t sit well with me but it’s life. I’ll be keeping a close eye on the 5th Gen threads over the next few years and see if they have some of the same quality issues I’ve seen pop up on here.

For instance, my truck is at dealer now with a blown shock after 24,000 kilometres. And I baby it LOL.


Mods: EGR matte black bug deflector, Westin HDX drop steps, rough county bull bar with 20” LED, custom made NW seat covers in real tree camo, husky liner mats, husky liner mud guards, undercover LUX tonneau cover, Tailgate assist, flowmaster super 40 with resonators, tinted 15% front, LED C shaped tail lights. Line-X 5.7’ box

 

[14RAM1500BG]

Honestly my older ram had the same rust issues. I used to only occasionally and parked it on grass. Like you i mostly used it in winter when it snowed. I think that salt sits there and keeps eating away. Trucks driven daily seem to have less issues as weird as it seems.

 

[CanadianNick]

It’s know that Chrysler uses cheap Chinese metals

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

My 2010 ram is loaded with rust everywhere underneath. Its from the salt they use in the roads up north.
I am going to have to wire wheel the whole underneath of my truck, and spray paint truck bed liner over everything so it does not look so bad, or get any worse.

 

[tidefan1967]

Not to mention today's paints are garbage compared to what they used back in the day and i'm not talking that long ago, maybe 15-20 years ago. Due to the EPA paint's are required to be more environmentally friendly (anybody remember how awesome red lead was?) more environmentally friendly=less durable. Also metals nowadays are a hell of a lot thinner (weight savings) thinner metals are going to rust through faster. Also it ain't just Rams that have ****** paint. We own two fairly new Ford explorers(2015 and a 2016) and they both have their share of paint imperfections not to mention way more imperfections in the body panels themselves than my Ram has by a mile.

 

[jjchan]

In my case, what kills me is that "Bertha" looks like new from the way I baby her, but underneath she's turning into a rust bucket!

 

[SYKRAMMAN]

In my case, what kills me is that "Bertha" looks like new from the way I baby her, but underneath she's turning into a rust bucket!

View attachment 126686 View attachment 126687

Get that undercarriage fluid filmed or krowned before it gets too late.

 

[jjchan]

Where does one get that done, I mean what type of businesses do that ?

 

[14RAM1500BG]

Fluid film it mostly done up north. You can buy fluid film online and lowes has spray cans.

 

[14RAM1500BG]

type in your zip for local places that do it. http://www.fluidfilmundercoaters.com/

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

Fluid film it mostly done up north. You can buy fluid film online and lowes has spray cans.

If there was just a little rust, I would reccomend fluid film. But the underneath of your truck is loaded with rust like mine from the salt. Only way to get rid of it and keep it from coming back again is to wire wheel it off and apply undercoat. I myself suggest spray paint truck bed liner. Its more durable and cleaner than undercoat.

 

[14RAM1500BG]

If there was just a little rust, I would reccomend fluid film. But the underneath of your truck is loaded with rust like mine from the salt. Only way to get rid of it and keep it from coming back again is to wire wheel it off and apply undercoat. I myself suggest spray paint truck bed liner. Its more durable and cleaner than undercoat.

Yes you are right if it has a large amount of rust.. I actually was just answering his question on where to get it done.