Rust! How do L400's and Pajeros hold up?

[dastrekker]

Just curious.
Since I'm sure we all know what old toyotas look like after they haven't been looked after. I'm thinking of getting a L400 Delica(Actually want to look at one thats for sale on here) or a Pajero. Problem is I'm curious how they hold up compared to say a 4 runner or something. Do they have galvinized anything? Undercoat? I don't mind doing touch ups.. I live in the interior and want something that I can look after for a few years... However it will get driven and rock chipped.
Cheers,
Kirin

[jessef]

The Pajero's will hold up to rust very well.

They have been selling in the USA since the late 80's as the Montero (same vehicle, different engine).

The L400 Spacegears are prone to rusting on the chassis where the plates are pressed together (front subframe and rear wheel wells/swaybar area).

The key is to get an L400 that has not begun to rust in those places yet and to protect it (oil/spray,etc..)

If there is rust present there already, it's a matter of time and it spreads fast.

[Brave Auto International]

Pajero
Sunroof frame rust - the sunroof glass frame is prom to rust from underneath. Move the sunroof partly back and inspect the glass frame from underneath. If the rust is minor you can still treat it. If the rust is not minor and left untreated, it will leak normally leaving a brownish/redish stain on the ceiling. Due to the sun shade cover obstructing your view of the rear section of the sunroof glass frame, you will find it difficult to view the whole frame. If the sunroof glass frame has rust at the front (where you can view), the rule of thumb is the rear section which you cannot view will also have rust.
To replace the glass sunroof frame is a ceiling down job and costly (part).

Chassis & Underbody - inspect the whole under body for rust. Do not just inspect the two big black chassis rails, you need to get on your back and slide under the vehicle. Although the black chassis rails may look good, it is more the underbody of the cabin that you really want to inspect. Pajero's are prom to suffering rust at the rear of the under body but while you are under the vehicle, have a good look around.

Engine Bay - not a common area for rust but still inspect with rust on your mind.

L400
Roof - check the roof for rust patches, this normally starts from a large stone chip and then spreads out if untreated.

Skylites - check around the skylites for rust.

Front Sunroof - check for glass sunroof frame rust, they are prom to rusting at the front of the glass frame so move the sunroof back slightly. If the vehicle is a low roof with dual sunroofs, check the rear one as well. If either have excess rust, you will need to replace the sunroof glass frame which as the pajero, is a ceiling down job. L400 front sunroof glass frames are fairly easy to obtain used, only Pajero is very difficult to obtain used resulting in buying new and only from the manufacture.

Chassis & Underbody - same as the Pajero, climb underneath and have a good look. With L400's, you need to have a good look up at the underbody (front to back) looking at all tight areas or difficult to see areas. Suspension mounting points, pay a lot of attention to.

In General (all vehicles)
Doors - open all doors and check at the bottom from the inside and all the way along. Hilux Surfs are very prom to rust here which untreated will start to bubble on the outside of the doors. Pajero & L400's, not a common area for rust but you should check any way.

Underbody - JDM vehicles do not have under seal from the factory. If the vehicle you are looking at has been sprayed black underneath especially under the cabin you need to look closely. Some owners will spray under seal or black paint for three reasons.
1) They think it looks good being black underneath.
2) To protect the vehicle from rust.
3) To cover up surface rust or something else they do not want you to see.

No #3 is naturally the one to watch for. The underbody has a number of panels over lapping and this is where the rust will start. To find a 15yr vehicle with "0" surface rust in this area and I mean "0" like it came out of the factory is very rare…… there will be a small surface rust patch somewhere. Small surface rust patch is nothing to worry about but still treat it as it will only get bigger over time, it may take ten years but it will get bigger.
But, there are many vehicles in Japan that end up in other countries with excess rust to the under body, chassis rails and suspension components. Some sellers, either the seller in Japan or local to you will spray all these area's with thick under seal (depending how rusty it was to start with) or black paint. If you come across a vehicle like this, get a screw driver or use your car key (if you do not want the seller to see) and scratch the parts of the under body especially where panels over lap or where there are joins. The idea is to scratch the paint or under seal off so you can see the condition of the bear metal. Naturally, do not scratch large section off, just some spot check here and there. If the area you have scratched is rusty looking (brownish colour and pity) then the chances are the vehicle has been blackened underneath for reason #3……… you then need to tread carefully and wants further investigation. In my case, I would walk away as a vehicle that has excess under body rust that has simply just been under sealed or whatever is a ticking time bomb for a rust explosion. Rust does not sleep and if untreated even though it is covered up which is worse will carry on rusting away underneath the under seal mainly due to moisture.
Some vehicles from the factory have light coating of black paint on the suspension mounts so if you come across one with this, do not panic but still have a good look.

Any way….the above is just a rough quickly typed guide.

Cheers

MB..

[dastrekker]

I know all about rust.. My 75 BMW 2002 I parted out due to the rust monster. Once it begins its hard to stop...