Rust and corrosion

[AlloyPony]

In watching lots of online reviews on the 2024/2025 Ranger, one thing I have noticed is that all of the trucks in media reviews have quite a bit of rust showing on the rear axle, frame, driveshaft, etc. I have owned a ton of Ford vehicles and I know the surface rust on the driveshafts is common because they don't paint them like other companies do. But the rust showing on the frame and axle concerns me. Plus, the frame has more holes along it than a slice of Swiss cheese and Ford puts NO tape or plugs in the holes to keep road salt and grime out.

Does this concern any of you guys? If these trucks are showing that much corrosion in 12 months, what will they look like in 36 months? 60 months?

My F-250 is 6 years old now and has 106k miles and the frame and axle look brand new. Ford electrostatic coated frame has held up to salt like a champ, and the paint on the axle is still good. Body is all aluminum so it's perfect too. I wish Ford would do this for the Ranger!

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[stemplar]

I’ve seen those reviews too, but my March-built (2025) Ranger doesn’t have that rust on the drivetrain so maybe it was addressed, else I just got lucky.

That aside, I do believe that the right answer is to use a lanolin undercoating like fluid film, wool wax, surface shield, etc. Spray it everywhere, including into the frame drain holes (everywhere but the brake rotors and pads, that is) and touch it up when you change your oil. Easy, cheap, super effective at keeping rust at bay. I recently switched from fluid film to surface shield only because it doesn’t seem to smell, though to be fair I’ve only ever noticed the fluid film lanolin smell for a week or so after spraying.

 

[superj]

I live 1/2 mile from the ocean and haven't seen rust under my 2024.

It will eventually show surface rust on the frame, just like my 04 ranger does, though

 

[Fawnbuster]

In watching lots of online reviews on the 2024/2025 Ranger, one thing I have noticed is that all of the trucks in media reviews have quite a bit of rust showing on the rear axle, frame, driveshaft, etc. I have owned a ton of Ford vehicles and I know the surface rust on the driveshafts is common because they don't paint them like other companies do. But the rust showing on the frame and axle concerns me. Plus, the frame has more holes along it than a slice of Swiss cheese and Ford puts NO tape or plugs in the holes to keep road salt and grime out.

Does this concern any of you guys? If these trucks are showing that much corrosion in 12 months, what will they look like in 36 months? 60 months?

My F-250 is 6 years old now and has 106k miles and the frame and axle look brand new. Ford electrostatic coated frame has held up to salt like a champ, and the paint on the axle is still good. Body is all aluminum so it's perfect too. I wish Ford would do this for the Ranger!

I have mine undercoated frame and all. I plan to spray my drive shaft etc with rust reformer then paint them.

 

[Don Vandyke]

I took mine to Ziebart. I plan on keeping the truck until they take my license away. I'm very happy with the job they did. Got inside the doors,tailgate, hood, every nook and crany. Free touch up every year.

 

[Grand Nat]

I run on the beach I don't notice anything yet however I did coat everything with Cosmoline. I also notice while looking in the chassis frame there was a coat of protectant equivalent to vaseline on my 25 FX 4.

 

[Fawnbuster]

I took mine to Ziebart. I plan on keeping the truck until they take my license away. I'm very happy with the job they did. Got inside the doors,tailgate, hood, every nook and crany. Free touch up every year.

Same here! Plus sprayed in bedliner

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