Hutch:
Here in Ohio, the roads get plenty of salt in the winter. I have a 2000 F-150 on order, and as soon as it comes in, I've made arrangements for the dealer to send it over to Zeibart first thing for undercoating only, while the undercarriage is still clean. At around $170, it's cheap insurance for the long haul. The factory stuff is a kind of wax, and I don't trust in the long run. The Zeibart stuff is a black, tarlike coating that doesn't ever get hard. I really don't put much stock in the body rustproofing, though. If it pulls away from the inner door panels, it can create pockets that hold moisture. Plus, they sometimes have to drill holes in body panels to get the application wands in. Not what I want on a new truck.....

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On order:
2000 XLT Black Sport, Flareside, 2WD, Ext. Cab, 5.4L Auto. Other options include: 3.55, Class III tow, 6-way Captains chairs w/CD changer in console, Remote entry , and Slider window.

 

Is Ziebart or equivalent rustproofing and undercoating necessary or is the factory stuff good enough??

 

I had the Ziebart rustproofing, the underbody sound deadener and interior fabric protection added onto mine when I ordered it. Yes there are holes drilled around the doors with plugs in them, BUT there is NO rust on my truck and I've had it for over 3 years now. I live right on the coast and like to go 4-wheeling ON the beach (SALT water you know) There's a thread somewhere here about some of the trucks starting to show rust under the doors, I have none. For my 02, I'm quite pleased I paid the $$$ and got the rustproofing. If you plan on keeping your truck, you might look into it.

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97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers & Clarion APA5240amp, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars

 

I had mine Ziebarted last week for several reasons. I plan on keeping it for more
than five years, Michigan winters are brutal with the salt, my F150 will not be garaged, and it is a good resale benefit.

If you do decide to rustproof, here are several suggestions:
Remove the front fender liners. It is not difficult to do and you will get a much better application. There are several screws around the wheel opening and several plastic fasteners inside. There is also a foam piece inside the rear of each front fender that is held in place with a rubber grommet . . .
very easy to remove and replace later.

Wash the underside of the vehicle yourself. Ziebart's procedure is to spray the undercarriage and let the vehicle sit for a couple hours to dry. There is no way the seams could thoroughly dry before they spray. I did this myself a couple days prior and let it completely dry out.

Remove the spare tire and crank the cable up to the top.

Bring a small empty jar and have them fill it with undercoating. It is great for touch-up, dipping screws, and applying to any new underbody accessories.

After the job is done, wait a day or so until the undercoating sets up and thoroughly inspect underneath with flashlight and mirror. Check the rocker panels, the box fender cavities and inside the lip around the wheels . If you are satisfied with the job, reinstall the fender liners. At first, I was
very dissatisfied with how they sprayed the undercarriage and had to return to have them touch up several areas. But for my trouble, I asked for, and received, a ball mount and 2" ball for the trailer hitch for free. The
manager resprayed it himself and did an excellent job. They also forgot to replace the rocker panel plugs and had to order a set. I'm still waiting to get them.

They do drill into the front doors and the tailgate, but the rustproofing and plug
protects the hole. The interior panels are removed on the rear doors due to bracing in the door cavity.

BTW, I paid $279.

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1999 XLT 4x2 SC DOB - 7/19/99
Dark Toreador Red,
4.6L, Auto, P255/70R-16 OWL, 3.55 LS, Rear Slider, Towing pkg, Pwr 40/60 Bench, RKE
Ford drop-in Bedliner
Ziebart rustproofed
Smittybilt nerfs - texured black #FN1730-S4T
Ford molded splash guards

1998 Windstar
1993 Taurus



[This message has been edited by Jimb (edited 10-13-1999).]

 

I had Zie-Bart done on my truck,I love it.You get the whole package done,Paint ,Rustproofing,sound deading & Interior for about $450.00. It`s well worth every dime.My annual mant. is $70.00 a year.I never have to wax, it`s great!!!It also keeps the value of your truck when others start to look bad.Money well spent for me anyway.

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RED/SILVER LARIAT SC. FLARESIDE 4X4 ORP,TOW PACK.,A.R.E FG.BEDCOVER,3.55LS,4.6L,AUTO,SPLITFIRE PLATINUM 3 SPARKPLUGS,K&NAIRFILTER/MOD. FACTORY AIRBOX,DUEL EX./20IN.CHROME TIPS,AVS WINDOW SHADES, DOOR SILLS &TAILLITE SLOTS,GTS CABRON FIBER HEADLITE COVERS,FORD 2 PIECE BRA, TINTED WINDONS, PENDALINDER TAILGATE INNER COVER, FORD TOTAL SECURITY SYSTEM/MOTION ALARM,FOGLITE ON WITH BRITES ON,FORD #1TRUCK UNDER GLASS ON FRONT LIC. PLATE,A/TS GOODYEAR TIRES,PERM.+FICTION DISC BRAKE PADS,OWENS FG. STEP BOARDS,55WATT BACKUP LITES, PILOT 55WATT ADD ON BACK UP LITE http://hometown.aol.com/terrylariat1...page/auto.html

 

I couldn't have said it better than has already been stated. I haven't had any rust problems with any vehicles I've had rustproofed in the last 25-30 years except for one. That one was already rustproofed by the dealer, not Ziebart. That one started rusting through in about 4-5 years. I sold a 79 Cutlas (bought new & Ziebarted) in 1992, the body was as solid as the day I bought it, and that's just one of many.

Forgot to mention, I have lived in the snowbelt that whole time. Lot's of snow with corresponding salt and sand on the roads. These are not garaged vehicles, they were run in that every day. My vehicles looked good when a lot of other newer vehicles were already rusting out. I did try to wash the body when the temperature permitted, but that could be months between washings during winter.

If you plan to keep your vehicle, I think it's a good investment.

[This message has been edited by HCBPH (edited 11-04-1999).]

[This message has been edited by HCBPH (edited 11-04-1999).]