I just bought my first dodge like one month ago. Ram 1500 with 4x4 hemi qc. anyways I have noticed that my tailpipe is rusting out.....why?

 

Is it really rusting or is it just surface rust? Surface rust is OK. If it is eating into the metal then, no good. I've looked at my 2004 and have noticed slight surface stuff, nothing major.

 

Where do you live and what year Ram? I mean if its an 05 I would be a little concerned but if its an 02-03 then it should have some surface rust....its chrome after all. Unlike your rims, this is constantly open to all the chemicals and such put down on the road. Your tires will splash the exhaust all day..your rims while getting wet, constantly spin so they throw alot of that off of it.

 

I have a 04 with like 8000 on it......its not only on that but mainly on the big parts of the underbody!! it looks like surface rust but it is really nasty....is there a way I can clean it off or something??

 

The exhaust system on the '02 to current year are 409 stainless, which is a low chromium content stainless. It will develop a surface scale, but will not rust through like mild steel will. If it bothers you that much, go spend some money on an aftermarket cat back system made from 300 series stainless.

 

Chrysler fails to specify to suppliers that a lot of underside parts be painted, hence they rust before leaving the manufacturing plant (of the part, not of the truck)! Take a look at your front suspension uprights and your drive-shaft, if steel.

Anything not painted, plated, or coated in some way is going to surface rust, at the least. I'm sure that's what you see on your exhaust. This is certainly penny-foolish in my book, but a few cents saved here and there and guess what, Chrysler makes money last quarter while Ford lost about $130 per vehicle and GM about $1300! If you' notice, you have no rear wheel fender-liners from the factory, but they'll be happy to sell you some! And so it goes...

Either remove the rust and paint it, or live with it.

All the best.

 

Thanks for you help guys really appreciate all the feedback.

 

It will also rust faster if you are taking a lot of short trips (say less than 10 miles). The exhaust doesn't get hot enough to get rid of the condensation from combustion.

 

You'll also notice a small hole in the muffler and resonator at it's lowest point that helps to get ride of the H2O that accumulates from combustion and short trips.