Possible purchase - help needed on potential rust

[71Rcode]

Guys, please check out these images I took this evening of a local 2-owner expedition in Dallas. I haven't owned a ford truck in 8 years...so I can't remember if all the surface rust I'm seeing underneath is normal or expected. Thanks! 110k miles 5.4, 2001 model. Has the fading odometer issue, a missing exhaust manifold stud and other items. Plugs were recently changed and all coil packs. Serviced with cold a/c. Has pretty solid service records with it.

But the undercarriage is freaking me out. Is this normal for a southern Ford truck? Kinda reminds me what happens when muratic acid leaks and creates that crystalized (in spots) rust over bare metal.

BTW, there is zero rust under the door sills, rocker area or rear quarters. Very clean there.

Sorry about the yellowish pix...it was just before sunset and the phone flash made everything yellow. Thanks!

 

[FordandPolaris]

That looks pretty normal to me. Problem areas are underneath the fenders, the insides of the doors, the rocker panels, and the lower trailing arms connecting the rear axle to the frame bracket. Those are places you want to pay attention to.

 

[toms89]

I would be less concerned with minor surface rust on heavy gauge steel items such as the rear axle/diff and driveshaft than I would be with sheet metal. It tends to get a thin layer of rust on it and stops. Now the problem areas are the sheet metal underneath as mentioned and lower control arms. They tend to rust through easily.

 

[Jay87LX]

With what you have shown I wouldn't be concerned at all, compared to trucks up here that is super clean. I just fixed my Odo the other day so thats an easy fix, dont worry about that.
As FordandPolaris said, watch for the fenders, rockers and bottom of the doors which still can be fixed just a PITA. I have a few threads going on fixing these area on my truck. I would say go for it although I am not a fan of tan interior

 

[71Rcode]

Thanks, guys. I looked at another 2 owner Dallas truck today with a lot less surface rust underneath. I'd rate this one an 8 on a 1-10 scale, where the other one was a 7.

The '99 has the same miles the '01 has and the owner wants $2k more for it.

Pix of the '99 model

 

[Jay87LX]

Thanks, guys. I looked at another 2 owner Dallas truck today with a lot less surface rust underneath. I'd rate this one an 8 on a 1-10 scale, where the other one was a 7.

The '99 has the same miles the '01 has and the owner wants $2k more for it.

Pix of the '99 model

That one looks nice- what year, mileage and any ext pics?

 

[71Rcode]

The '99 model is a 5.4 xlt 4x4 with 110k. It's very clean. Has three or so hail dings and outside door moldings need to be reshot. Other than that, very clean.

1999_Ford_Expedition_XLT_4WD pictures by jmalaniuk - Photobucket

 

[71Rcode]

OK - found out why the '01 had the unusual amount of surface rust. It spent it's first year in colorado!

 

[Jay87LX]

That '99 looks clean and is BEGGING for some mods.

 

[71Rcode]

You know what was weird about the '99? It had these skinny armrests on the front seats (inside arm) that drove me nuts. I think the 2001 didn't have that.. just had a fat console lid. That made sense to me.

That '99 is super clean, guys. Minus the three hail dings and the side trim that needs to be reshot, it's nearly mint.

 

[Jay87LX]

yea, mine has the arm reasts, I use them

 

[71Rcode]

Jay, please let me know your thoughts on my "price check" post from a second ago. Both trucks were very comparable (the '01 I'm asking about and the '99 you like), except for the undercarriage difference. The white one is $1500-2k more. Not sure that's worth it for what I need the expedition for (occasional use). Thanks, man.