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How far south to avoid rust?

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Redford

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I live in WI, meaning long, salty, wet winters (sorry that sounds so pornographic, lol.) I am thinking it may behoove me to look more into southern jeeps. But how far south do you need to go to stop seeing so much rust? I have no idea and couldn't come up with anything googling.

Traveling very far obviously adds to the cost of purchasing a vehicle. Plus you run the risk of traveling expenses and then walking away with nothing. Plus good deals on TJs seem to go really fast, what are the odds someone's gonna bother with a buyer from 600miles away?

Am I doomed?
 
#2 ·
Its not how far south, or even what the weather is. Its a matter if the local DOT uses chemicals to treat the roads. In areas that only apply sand tend not to have rust issues.
 
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#5 ·
I live in Tennessee, and if me I would look here or below, but that is me. I would also look more west too for lower humidity, in a perfect find. I found one in my area, and it was still in pretty poor shape, rear frame rot-out that I missed on inspection.

I am also very new to rebuilding a Jeep too, so not sure I would be a great reference.

Good luck with your search!
 
#7 ·
Pics are a must as is a video. Be specific about the video. Hood open, sellers bare hand on motor to ensure it's cold, start up, listen for any odd sounds. Drive down the road (at highway speeds). All T case ranges in a gravel parking lot (or similar) at full lock (both to make sure there aren't any odd noises and to be sure the 4 wheel drive works). Hard braking. That kind of stuff. If a seller is really interested in selling his/her truck, they'll do it. Most dealers won't do this.

Or, find someone close by the truck who will be willing to stop by and look it over/test drive it. We're all over here so there is probably someone who wouldn't mind taking an hour out of a day to help a fellow Jeeper. Don't expect someone to drive 100 miles and be sure to offer them a few bucks for their troubles. Most won't take the money but there's nothing wrong if they do. Use the community resources.
 
#8 ·
Post up a new thread asking if anyone from the forum can go look at it for you.

Lots of good people, if it were near me, I would do it for you.

But, I live in the rust belt, so don't buy one anywhere in Illinois.
 
#9 ·
Spoony1968 said:
I always thought Arizona,New Mexico,Nevada,SoCal and Texas were the rust free states?
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Pacific North West (PNW) is good too as I don't think they use much salt. Anywhere on the west coast is good as there isn't a heck of a lot of snow so there's no salt. Water isn't a problem. It dries assuming it has an outlet. Florida isn't bad, either. No salt although it stays humid. I've looked at a few vehicles from Florida. Anything south of southern Indiana isn't bad. The use of salt is minimal unless you're in the mountains.
 
#10 ·
I moved down from OH and I can say that at least here in NC, you can find some clean cars but you still need to look at them (lake, ocean, etc, etc)

Having said that, if you need anyone in the Charlotte, NC area to check out a Jeep, let me know.

Mark
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Truth be told, I'm just researching. It could be as late as next summer before I'll be ready to buy, financially. So I'll try to stop with the constant questions, lol. But I appreciate so much how helpful everyone here has been so far. Y'all seem to have a really nice group here. :)
 
#13 ·
Just compare average annual snowfall to where you live. Since you're coming from Wisconsin, I would consider anything further south that southern Missouri, southern Illinois, Kentucky, etc. I'd also give preference to vehicles that are not from large metro areas where they use a lot of salt/chemicals.

Average snowfall of 5" per year is nothing. I'd steer clear of anything with 20" +. Also, find out the history of the vehicle to make sure it's not originally from the north.
 
#14 ·
The best way to avoid rusty cars is to run a Carfax on a potential buy.
Look at the history of where the car has been registered and avoid rustbelt states.
While its not perfect it will give you a pretty good idea where its been.
 
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Discussion starter · #15 ·
#16 ·
The more rural the area, the less likely you'll see salt. I lived in ne KY for a few years, and NEVER saw salt. Rural PA rarely uses salt, but here in da' 'BURGH, that's ALL they use. :eek:

The piedmont of NC never used salt when I was growing up and later working there, but I've been away since 1996. It never snowed in central/low country SC. You'd probably be safe from there southward, save maybe for Atlanta.
 
#17 ·
Redford said:
I live in WI, meaning long, salty, wet winters (sorry that sounds so pornographic, lol.) I am thinking it may behoove me to look more into southern jeeps. But how far south do you need to go to stop seeing so much rust? I have no idea and couldn't come up with anything googling.

Traveling very far obviously adds to the cost of purchasing a vehicle. Plus you run the risk of traveling expenses and then walking away with nothing. Plus good deals on TJs seem to go really fast, what are the odds someone's gonna bother with a buyer from 600miles away?

Am I doomed?
Click to expand...
Rust? what is that? :dunno: :p
 
#18 ·
The_War_Wagon said:
The more rural the area, the less likely you'll see salt. I lived in ne KY for a few years, and NEVER saw salt. Rural PA rarely uses salt, but here in da' 'BURGH, that's ALL they use. :eek: The piedmont of NC never used salt when I was growing up and later working there, but I've been away since 1996. It never snowed in central/low country SC. You'd probably be safe from there southward, save maybe for Atlanta.
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Last time I was in pa (on the turnpike ) heading from Pittsburg to York they were using cinder on the road.
 
#19 ·
Here in PA at least in small municipalities will use whatever they can get there hands on for cheap. Sand, cinders, gravel, salt brine, straight salt, etc. The worst I've seen by far is magnesium chloride.
 
#20 ·
Eastern NC was not bad for salt when I lived there. Used cars you have to keep an eye out for the ones that came from up north.
 
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4wheelgreg
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