Is this frame too late to save ?

[Five3brian]

First time poster, I have a 2009 yukon SLT 5.3


I really want to build this truck and put money into it, but the only thing stopping me is this damn rust. I live in Michigan and got this a few months ago.
It could be worse, but is this worth saving at all?

 

[15burban]

I'd start by poking around everywhere on the frame with a screw driver and see if you can find any soft spots. If there's no soft spots I'd clean it up with a wire wheel the best you can and either por 15 or even rustoleum rust converter as much as you can. Also pickup a bunch of fluid film and spray it inside all the holes in the frame and also anywhere you can't apply the rust converter.

 

[tom3]

Maybe worst part might be the body mount areas in the floor pan. Those areas are shaped so they trap water/salt and you can't actually see the damage until it's really a mess. See the same thing you're looking at here in Ohio. Clean/paint that frame as much as possible, then I start shooting used motor oil in all the holes and cracks inside the boxed parts. Park in gravel or put cardboard under it for a few days. You can stop any future damage.

 

[strutaeng]

No telling from our computer screens' perspective TBH.

If you can find a spec on what the thickness of the frame is, you can try hitting a spot with a flap disc and check the thickness with some dial calipers. That will tell you how much section loss has occurred.

I don't have to deal with road salt on vehicles here, but this is what I do when assessing corrosion on steel structures (mostly buildings.)

Good luck.

 

[Five3brian]

I'd start by poking around everywhere on the frame with a screw driver and see if you can find any soft spots. If there's no soft spots I'd clean it up with a wire wheel the best you can and either por 15 or even rustoleum rust converter as much as you can. Also pickup a bunch of fluid film and spray it inside all the holes in the frame and also anywhere you can't apply the rust converter.

Will definitely try that, i appreciate it. So far i’ve took a spray bottle and squirted transmission fluid inside the door plugs and in the fenders a bit, so hopefully that’ll help slow body rust down too.

 

[Five3brian]

No telling from our computer screens' perspective TBH.

If you can find a spec on what the thickness of the frame is, you can try hitting a spot with a flap disc and check the thickness with some dial calipers. That will tell you how much section loss has occurred.

I don't have to deal with road salt on vehicles here, but this is what I do when assessing corrosion on steel structures (mostly buildings.)

Good luck.

Never thought of that! Thanks

 

[George B]

From a veteran rust belt warrior...
That frame isn't so bad. I have repaired and continued to drive way worse.
Cleanup all the areas you can get to with a scraper or wire brush, Pick the hottest, most humid day you can and soak it with Krud-Kutter and rinse it off after about 10 minutes. let that dry a day or so and them spray the entire underbody with Fluid-Film. that should do it.

 

[George B]

Be aware the brake and fuel lines that run along the fuel tank and the line across in the front get crusty. Make all those repairs before you make a mess with the Fluid-film.

 

[blackelky]

Be aware the brake and fuel lines that run along the fuel tank and the line across in the front get crusty. Make all those repairs before you make a mess with the Fluid-film.

^this that stuff adds up probably trans lines too

 

[B-train]

Geez....that looks rough. I see nothing but a long list of repairs, replacements, cuss words, and disappointment with it. I'd just drive it like it is and save up some money. Then, schedule a vacation to a southern or western location to find a clean replacement that you can start with a clean slate from.