Let me refine - we're looking at potentially moving from coastal CA to a more simple life in Vermont. A major perk of CA for a Land Rover enthusiast is rust-free living. No frame rot, no fighting rusty fasteners, just nice and easy Disco life. If we move to VT (or any snow belt area), should we expect the Disco's rust clock to start ticking? Any feedback or perspectives to share on rust and LR ownership in that part of the country?

 

Yes, you will be fighting a constant battle you will eventually lose if you dd in that part of the world. You can delay with frame treatments (waxoyl/fluid film/etc.)but the salt in the snow is a powerful oxidizer.

 

Some localities refuse to use salt, some use sand instead, some use liquid sugary substances. Used to be like that here, but someone decided otherwise. Too bad. Turns out salting roads is a major cause of salt pollution of fresh waters. Go figure.

Discos love driving in the snow, by the way.

 

Or experience is the disco 2 likes snow more than a wet grassy hill

Keep it under coated and enjoy some pond hockey.

Keep an eye out for cheap disco models below North Carolina and at least 3 hours from the ocean. You'll want a spare frame/body to keep in the shed as an eventual spare. Then repeat.

 

when you get there apply fluid film etc - hit the self serv car wash periodically in the winter and blast the chassis

 

You'll definitely need treatment. I went with CRC Corrosion Inhibitor (cosmoline) for the exterior of the frame, and Fluid Film for the interior of the frame. I will not use Fluid Film again tho, but a different product, because FF smells like **** for weeks.

 

It will go downhill quickly.

But go for it.

I had a 20 year old D2 which had zero corrosion on the underside. And I mean zero, even on fasteners. Drove it 2 winters to ski and winter cabin areas that had salt brine on the roads. Noticeable corrosion on the underside. It really surprised me.

 

Get a beater for the winter vehicle and save the clean rust free one for the rest of the year. Friend in Ohio has a beater for winter (has replaced 2 sets of doors) and drives his good/nice vehicle the rest of the year.

 

I suspect Vermont uses a lot more salt than we do in British Columbia, but here, mine is holding up really well, and drives really nicely in the snow.

 

Confirmed as common practice (8 years in Chicagoland). Problem is for this poor soul winter is 5+ months...