How to prevent rust after drilling into frame?

[rgiles]

I added an external transmission filter and had to drill 3 holes in the frame to mount it. This is on an '02 X. Is there a good way to keep the screw and holes from rusting? Since I will be monitoring the tranny fluid temp, there needs to be a good ground so whatever the treatment should be conductive. The rest of the frame is nicely painted to prevent rusting.

Thanks.

 

[ajevenson]

Put asphalt undercoating over it. It'll seal it so that moisture cant get in and yet is flexible enough that if you have to remove the screws you can cut the coating off with a flat screwdriver or utility knife without scratching the rest of the paint, and then redo the process when you put it back on.

That or just put a big blob of grease over the hole, screw the screw in then put another big blob over top the screw head. Water wont penetrate that for a while.

 

[410Fortune]

You have options. Paint, grease, silicoln, or undercoating.
I like to paint bare metal on stuff like when you drill through the body, then use clear silicoln to seal it up (like for drilling through the roof for light wires). On the frame I just shoot it with black paint after it;s drilled, then stick some bearing grease in the hole and on the bolt/screw.

 

[rgiles]

Thanks for the advice. Is grease or silicone conductive? I will probably use one of these if it is. I want to make certain there is a good ground connection for the Temp guage.

Since I'm drilling into the frame I don't have access to the other side of the hole, so I can't cover that side.

Rick

 

[410Fortune]

Die-electric grease is. It will only last so long however....

I would paint the hole first, then put some die-electric grease in there and you will be fine. Paint is the key, oh and these frames are tough man, I have drilled a ton of holes in mine for my lift, etc....no problems.

 

[aldive]

Paint would be my recommendation. Further, run the fround wire with the transducer wire and ground under the dash.

Good luck.....

 

[rgiles]

Originally posted by aldive
Paint would be my recommendation. Further, run the fround wire with the transducer wire and ground under the dash.

Good luck.....

I don't have the gauge yet, but it was my impression that the grounding was through the mount. If it has a separate ground, not problem, I'll run it to the dash.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by rgiles
I don't have the gauge yet, but it was my impression that the grounding was through the mount. If it has a separate ground, not problem, I'll run it to the dash.

What gauge did you order?

 

[rgiles]

I ordered the Dakota Digital rectangular version. I'll mount it in the floor console below the climate control

 

[aldive]

If its like my round Dakota Digital, there are studs on the back of the gauge to attach the wires; you can run to the dash with the black wire.

Good luck and please post pictures of the instal.

 

[rgiles]

I ended up going with some grease because I wanted there to be a good ground connection for the temp sensor.

 

[dogfriend]

What are you worried about rust for? You're in California man, cars don't rust here anyway.

Seriously, unless youre parked right next to the bay, rust isn't going to be a big problem.

 

[rgiles]

I agree rust isn't a big problem, just don't want to be stupid. I always hate removing bolts that are rusted in, that's my biggest concern. Haven't you noticed that a bunch of us obsess about everything?

 

[dogfriend]

I bought my 89 Ranger at Frontier Ford in SJ. They tried to talk me into getting rustproofing treatment for only $250 or something like that. I just laughed at them.

I sold it 11 yrs later, and it still didn't have any rust except for the unpainted stuff like the driveshaft etc. and that was just surface rust. Course the fact that it leaked oil from about 40k miles on probably helped keep the rust down a bit, too.

 

[rgiles]

Hey that's exactly where I've purchased both my Explorers! They are bending over backwards to make me happy this time around. Amazing what a slow economy can do for service at dealerships