When I start the rebuild of my truck I want to make it as rust proof as possible so hopefully it stays around for a few years. I'm going to go with stainless steel brake lines to replace the standard ones, steel braided lines to replace the flexible sections, I'm going to use urethane bushings wherever possible. and I'm going to go ballistic with undercoating on the body once sandblasted.
The area of contemplation is the frame. We know that these boxed frames rust out here in the Northeast and basically turn the trucks into junk, so I'm going to have the frame powdercoated by a shop close by. As good as powdercoating is, it only covers ONE side of the boxed frame, the outside, but leaves the inside of the rails exposed to the elements and rust. Rust happens with moisture and oxygen, and if you can stop oxygen from getting to the part, it won't rust. This is the same theory that POR15 works off of.
Once the frame is powder coated, it is still a hollo tube that could be sealedoff enough to be able to fill with a liquid plastic or rubber to prevent oxygen from getting to the metal, esentially encasing the rails away from oxygen and the elements. Would doing such a thing drastically effect the handling of the truck ? I know frame flex is needed for road ability, and seeing as how neither plastic or rubber are solid substances and would allow SOME flex. what do you think could happen to the truck ?
Remember, this is just a theoretical conversation, so please speak up with any ideas or suggestions because they are ALL welcome. I'm just trying to work out a plan for the whole truck before I attack it.
Much Thanks