[MrCreosote]

Am I limited to 08-12 models for cutting put repair pieces at the Pick-n-Pull?
Since the <08's have similar taillights, maybe?
But the >12's have different tails, so maybe not?

Thanks
Tom

This damaged door @ dog log too (RHS is like new in dog leg but still lesser non-hole arch rot @ spot weld seam.

 

[LX302]

Did you remove the interior trim in the hatch area yet, to look for rust through/ aka holes to the outside? The sheet metal around the shock towers is famous for rusting, and it is so thin. But that amount of rust to me would not be worth the time and money fixing and will far outweigh the cost of the worth of the vehicle.

 

[MrCreosote]

Thanks for the Tip! I'll have to look. You can see some surface rust on the inner wall of the wheel house.

I have welding skills from lots of time doing rust on my own vehicles (lots of Studebakers and Datsuns). For this one, I'll probably use the reduced distortion heat of Silicon Bronze MIG wire since non-structural. So the repair cost will be very low however I'm probably going to cut out some pieces from the local U-Pulls to reduce fitting pieces. NOTE: that aft hole is pretty close to the plastic bumper cover (something I want to avoid removing.)

I haven't looked underneath yet but will do exactly what you suggest, (I can't wait to suffer trying to figure out how to remove those panels!)

My garage friend has done all the service on this and said the underneath is solid. He also has good knowledge of where cars rust out. He's knows a lot, is honest and has never steered me wrong so I'm hopeful.

SMALL WORLD: Neighbor has a 2012 and just starting to rust in these areas, so I'm helping him nip it with Fluid Film.