My '88 sat outside for about 20 years, so as you can imagine there's some rust on it. There are two spots that I'm worried about in particular. On the A-Pillar there is a streak of rust, but it doesn't look like the "bubbly" rotting kind of rust. However, I'm wondering how to deal with it best and if it could pose a structural threat to the cab if it gets deeper. Also, the frame underneath the bed has some rust. Again, it is not the "bubbly" rotting kind of rust and it seems structurally sound when tapped with a ball peen hammer. In this case I think a wire brush and some metal enamel rattlecan will take care of it. These older cars with thicker metal can handle rust a lot better than Toyotas or modern cars. I am now storing my truck inside, so I don't think the rust will get too much worse. But, bodywork isn't really my thing so if I could be compromising my safety let me know. Thanks

 

Could you post pictures? From what you say and your location I doubt that anything your looking at is more than surface rust. I could show you some rust that'll blow you away.