I have a 2005 Ram 1500 plagued by the typical rust, plus a tired front end

[BenjaminJ]

Hi!

I have a 2005 Ram 1500 4.7 SLT 4WD Quad Cab plagued by the typical rust, plus a tired front end.

I want to replace the truck.

As many others that I have seen, I have a LOT of rust at the rear wheel wells.

At 155,000 miles, it already needed two racks (one reman was defective) plus all upper and lower ball joints and other minor components. Is this typical at this mileage?

What year did they finally fix the rust problem, for the most part?

THANKS in advance,

Ben

 

[Hanover Fiste]

On my 2005, I replaced all the front-end components when it hit 100k miles. I expect to do it again at 200k (it's currently at 175k).

I have no rust on mine to speak of, but then it's been in Florida most of its life.

 

[BenjaminJ]

Thank you!

So, look at 100k as the magic number for repairs?

Would that be true on all years up to 2010?

I used to live in Florida too and saw rust on other vehicles but I was near the coast. I never had the truck there.

Thanks,

Ben

 

[06 Dodge]

Hi!

I have a 2005 Ram 1500 4.7 SLT 4WD Quad Cab plagued by the typical rust, plus a tired front end.

I want to replace the truck.

As many others that I have seen, I have a LOT of rust at the rear wheel wells.

At 155,000 miles, it already needed two racks (one reman was defective) plus all upper and lower ball joints and other minor components. Is this typical at this mileage?

What year did they finally fix the rust problem, for the most part?

THANKS in advance,

Ben

I can guess you have never used undercarriage wash when going to the car wash or do they not have that in your area? My old 2006 saw lot of salt covered road in IA an when i sold it it had very little rust as we always wash the undercarriage of the truck when using the drive in car wash even in the winter...

 

[BenjaminJ]

Thank you. No undercarriage washes here.

Now would that affect or help the bed rust that is only inside the rear wheel wells?

Am I seeing correctly that you have aftermarket fender flairs on your vehicle? If so, was that for a similar rust problem?

I am trying to find out when they fixed this issue, so that I can look for that year or newer.

Thanks!

Ben

 

[White six four]

Washing the underside will help keep the rust away. Once it starts its there. Fluid film or other underbody sprays work great.

Plenty of rusted out 4th gens in my area. Seen a few 5th gens with rust but no rust holes. At least that I remember seeing.

My opinion is if you're worried about rust you can't do nothing. You need to do some type of underbody treatment otherwise you'll eventually have rust rear its ugly head out. So either buy new and trade in every few years, buy something that's aluminum or stainless steel, or start doing something to prevent the rust from happening.

 

[06 Dodge]

Thank you. No undercarriage washes here.

Now would that affect or help the bed rust that is only inside the rear wheel wells?

Am I seeing correctly that you have aftermarket fender flairs on your vehicle? If so, was that for a similar rust problem?

I am trying to find out when they fixed this issue, so that I can look for that year or newer.

Thanks!

Ben

My current 22 has fender flair but my 06 did not have them, as stated already washing the underside helps by washing salt away and out of nooks and crannies, also imo some sort of undercoating helps keep rust at bay

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

The only thing that can slow down the rust is the sand blast it prep it, use a good primer, I use fluid film to coat it.