Common rust areas for Gen 2-2.5 Montero?

[Dabird]

I'm in the market for new daily driver/work/fun vehicle and have narrowed it down to a few options. Montero, Xterra, Frontier Crew Cab, 4runner, Bronco. I like everything on the list for different reasons but right now, the Gen 2.5 Montero seems to top the list for me. Although a Gen 3 checks all the boxes other than styling. Getting back to the 2.5, I've done a ton of internet research about all the common issues, but I can't seem to find much about common rust areas. I'm in Southern Indiana so most of the vehicles near me will be prone to rust. Where are the major areas that I should check for rust when inspecting a potential vehicle? Also if someone can convince me that I won't always be bummed about the styling of a Gen 3, I'm willing to listen.

 

[PacS14]

Look for one below the rust belt and be willing to travel to pick it up, not just there will be less rust, price will be lower too. Good luck!

 

[Dabird]

Look for one below the rust belt and be willing to travel to pick it up, not just there will be less rust, price will be lower too. Good luck!

Obviously that is ideal, but I would still like to know the common areas these trucks rust. For example, I've owned multiple Saab Classic 900 turbos and front control arm rust is a huge issue. The last one i bought a few years ago was a local car that came from Colorado and was nearly rust free. My search includes the non rust belt states but i'm not going to just ignore vehicles closer

 

[plh]

frames in back of the rear axle.

 

[JamesW]

Under the cladding on the wheel arch at the rear doors, and the rear ends of the chassis by the rear wheels. The drains get a bit blocked in the chassis and they can rot from the inside out in a rainy environment

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[kbahus]

I couldn't find one in the northern Indiana and Michigan region that looked safe to drive when I was looking. Buy from the south or the west!

 

[Dabird]

I couldn't find one in the northern Indiana and Michigan region that looked safe to drive when I was looking. Buy from the south or the west!

Ha! I bet. I will say, even though Louisville (I can literally see Louisville from my house) is in the rust belt , it's nowhere near as bad as it is a hour or two north or further. I totally appreciate all the info you guys have already given in regards to rust. The search continues....

 

[Pdivizzle0112]

Inside the entire cooling system if the PO never changed the coolant. Seriously. Just flushed like 20 gallons of water through mine to clear it out and ordered a new radiator. Make sure you check the coolant. As far as body rust I can't help being that I'm in California, but I know the rear door hinges rot as well as the drip rails

 

[KyleT]

After owning a gen2.5, buying a gen 3, then selling the gen2.5 and buying a second gen 3, I can say they share nothing other than the name. It's hard to compare. It is like jumping 10years ahead or more difference between them. Both my gen3's are 03+ limiteds. I liked the gen 2.5 a lot and it rode like a truck. The gen 3 is much like the 06 Range Rover we had a few years ago. Except slower and has third row.

No idea on rust through. We don't have that here in tx.

 

[4D55 Performance]

The Gen 2.5 have a tendency to rust on the frame behind the rear axle. Otherwise they have really high quality steel.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

All of the gen 2.5 models I have seen have running boards, make sure you check for rust along the rockers because they don't always get cleaned where salt can collect.