Need advice...to buy or walk away. Pictures included

[Brewcity]

Hey guys...I need advice on whether to walk away from this 99 Tahoe.
I just got pictures back from the dealer of the undercarriage...and it looks pretty bad to me with a lot of rust to deal with. Pictures below
Can you guys please give me some advice on whether this is managable or if I should dump it and look at a different one.
The rest of the Tahoe is in excellent condition I'm pretty torn.
Thanks for the help!

 

[yates ™]

I doubt you will find any rust free under carriages.

 

[Brewcity]

I doubt you will find any rust free under carriages.

Yeah...I do know that, especially coming from the Midwest.
But this looks pretty bad...especially the rear axle.
Can it be treated?

 

[yates ™]

Remove it, get it blasted, and repowdercoat it

 

[Brewcity]

Remove it, get it blasted, and repowdercoat it

Thanks...any idea what that would cost...ball park?

 

[yates ™]

A few hundred probably. If you are only worried about how it looks just buy some tractor paint and it will look like new and be a cheap cover up.

 

[Brewcity]

A few hundred probably. If you are only worried about how it looks just buy some tractor paint and it will look like new and be a cheap cover up.

Thanks a lot...I really don't care how it looks...I am worried about it spreading, or being really bad where I cant see it, or is worse than surface rust.
Thanks for the help.

 

[yates ™]

Honestly from the pictures it just looks like surface rust.

 

[Brewcity]

Honestly from the pictures it just looks like surface rust.

Really!? Thats great!...I really don't know much about rust at all.
That puts my mind at ease.

 

[edgaranah1]

Yeah it looks like normal rust out of a 13 year old truck.

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[yates ™]

Yeah it looks like normal rust out of a 13 year old truck.

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You live in the land of sun and bikinis what do you know

 

[Vinniety]

That rear end looks like its leaking. Get that resolved. A change of fluid and a new gasket that should be all it needs. As for the surface rust not uncommon. If the truck runs good and you had it all checked out and you don't see any BODY rust (panels, fenders, doors) then i would say the only thing you need is some time cleaning the undercarriage. A wired brush and some patience is what you will need. After its cleaned up spray it with some POR15 undercoat a little expensive but well worth it. I just ordered four cans of undercoat to do my Tahoe. Also search on google there is a lot of good info on rust, also you tube. Maybe seeing it might help you make a decision. Good luck.
http://www.por15.com/

 

[Brewcity]

That rear end looks like its leaking. Get that resolved. A change of fluid and a new gasket that should be all it needs. As for the surface rust not uncommon. If the truck runs good and you had it all checked out and you don't see any BODY rust (panels, fenders, doors) then i would say the only thing you need is some time cleaning the undercarriage. A wired brush and some patience is what you will need. After its cleaned up spray it with some POR15 undercoat a little expensive but well worth it. I just ordered four cans of undercoat to do my Tahoe. Also search on google there is a lot of good info on rust, also you tube. Maybe seeing it might help you make a decision. Good luck.
http://www.por15.com/

Thanks SO much for the help...I did notice the leak.
Everything else is in great condition as far as the body and mechanics.
So...this definitely puts my mind at ease.
Thanks a lot!

 

[kelly1]

That looks like the undercarriage of 100% of the vehicles I've ever seen that are driven daily and 15 years old or newer. It's very clean with common surface rust on parts (rearend and frame) that would take many many more years to rust out with that little surface rust on them. A little scrubbing and some paint and it will look great. Good luck with the purchase!!

 

[Brewcity]

That looks like the undercarriage of 100% of the vehicles I've ever seen that are driven daily and 15 years old or newer. It's very clean with common surface rust on parts (rearend and frame) that would take many many more years to rust out with that little surface rust on them. A little scrubbing and some paint and it will look great. Good luck with the purchase!!

OK...thanks for putting my mind at ease. Glad to hear its clean...I dont know much about these trucks, but with all of your help, I will soon!
I just get a little freaked when I see rust...and I am pretty used to it here in Wisconsin.
Thanks to all of you who helped. It really cleared my mind. Cant wait to get her!
Take care!

 

[95escahoe]

that's not bad looking at all, my 95 is about the same just has some minor surface rust on the frame and the floors are solid, like everyone else said besides the rear end leak it looks pretty clean

 

[07Burb]

For the rust....get the rust off with a grinder and sanding disc and treat it with Por15. Instead of spending a few hundred bucks on powdercoating you're out $100 max and you should be good to go for a very long time

 

[Tbruz]

A common place to look for rust on these trucks is under the doors.
Pull back the rubber seal on the inside bottom of the door and look there.
Tbruz

 

[edgaranah1]

You live in the land of sun and bikinis what do you know

Lol, Yeah I know. Have some friends that live up in Colorado and their rides look worse than that.

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[Gzes]

Man good thing I don't live in the north... No rust on my frame