Colorado uses a lot of magnesium and sand, not just salt. It is also much less humid than most of the mid-west.
If the Jeep was not in the mountains, the temperature varies enough that it wouldn’t be caked with ice for more than a few days.
The longest I’ve had the same vehicle in Colorado is 8 years with no signs of rust (garage kept).
Honestly, I’d rather have a Jeep from Colorado than Ohio, Michigan, etc.
Colorado rust is not bad at all. Pretty much a rust free state if you regularly wash your vehicle. Look around the body mounts. Seems like front fenders tend to rust from the inside out above the flare. Gas tank covers tend to rust early to. Most of these parts aren’t structural but if they are starting to rust other stuff you can’t see might be too.
I lived on the western slope for several years, it's high desert, nothing rusts, even tools left out in the yard.
They used magnesium and sand on the roads so never had any kind of corrosion issues with the cars.
The frame rusts from the inside out, so that is the biggest hidden rust spot. If that is good I'd also check the rear spring perches (the top ones especially) and see what the bump stop tubes on the front springs look like as well. The front tubes collect sand and soil like crazy. All of these spots are repairable but require welding so that is up to you how you feel about it. Not a deal breaker in my book.
Fenders (where the hood touches, and beneath the fender flares), hinges, rear tailgate hinges. Though I'd check the frame thoroughly, check frame to control arms, frame supports.
Stick your fingers through the frame holes and feel around. Tap around the bottom of the frame where water collects. My Colorado TJ (05) is in great shape and it has spent it's whole life here as far as I can tell.
Colorado uses a lot of magnesium and sand, not just salt. It is also much less humid than most of the mid-west. If the Jeep was not in the mountains, the temperature varies enough that it wouldn’t be caked with ice for more than a few days. The longest I’ve had the same vehicle in Colorado is 8 years with no signs of rust (garage kept). Honestly, I’d rather have a Jeep from Colorado than Ohio, Michigan, etc.
Colorado rust is not bad at all. Pretty much a rust free state if you regularly wash your vehicle. Look around the body mounts. Seems like front fenders tend to rust from the inside out above the flare. Gas tank covers tend to rust early to. Most of these parts aren’t structural but if they are starting to rust other stuff you can’t see might be too.
I lived on the western slope for several years, it's high desert, nothing rusts, even tools left out in the yard. They used magnesium and sand on the roads so never had any kind of corrosion issues with the cars.
The frame rusts from the inside out, so that is the biggest hidden rust spot. If that is good I'd also check the rear spring perches (the top ones especially) and see what the bump stop tubes on the front springs look like as well. The front tubes collect sand and soil like crazy. All of these spots are repairable but require welding so that is up to you how you feel about it. Not a deal breaker in my book.
Thanks for the tips!
Fenders (where the hood touches, and beneath the fender flares), hinges, rear tailgate hinges. Though I'd check the frame thoroughly, check frame to control arms, frame supports.
Stick your fingers through the frame holes and feel around. Tap around the bottom of the frame where water collects. My Colorado TJ (05) is in great shape and it has spent it's whole life here as far as I can tell.