Rusty rocker panel/door fix?

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ICrushedAPrius

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Hi all,
Quick question. I have a pretty bad rust problem with my rocker panels, wheel wells (fenders) and when you open the doors, the metal "step up." I am going to cut out the rust, grind it all down, and bondo/paint it. But I was noticing that most later model XLT/EB's have plastic fender molding, and plastic rocker panel trim that goes over these problem areas. Can I get these from anywhere for my 97 XLT? The paint won't match, and with the road salt in NJ, even my best fix will bubble quickly. I have seen some stainless steel rocker panel covers, but I rather have the stock Ford stuff.
Any help would be great.
 

tonydiv

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I just wanted to double check. You said that you were going to cut out the rust areas and fill it with bondo? You have to weld in new steel. Bondo is just for smoothing out any small areas.

The one thing that I have learned about body work is that if you're not going to do it right, you may as well not bother at all.
 

Remo

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I'm getting rust on the bottom of the doors, too. Plus some showing on the rear quarter panels. Has anyone fixed these rust spots? What did you do to fix it?

For rust on the frame, suspension, trailer hitch, etc I have used black Rustoleum paint. It seems to have stopped all the surface rust and is holding up okay for the last 2 yrs.
 

Jay87LX

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Has anyone came across where to get the rocker panels and if so a link to supplier? I want to start gathering all the pasrts I am gonna need
 

Nathanialson 08

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Check out www.lmctruck.com they started making replacement parts for the Ford Expedition first gens (1997-2002) and the second gens (2003-2006) and they make good quality products my dad bought parts from them to restore his 1961 ford F100 4x4, all the patch pannels and light rings and its quality stuff so check them out.

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Just showing you some of what they have plus good looking fender flares to help you make your fender trim look not overdone and close to a factory typ look.
 
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Jay87LX

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Check out www.lmctruck.com they started making replacement parts for the Ford Expedition first gens (1997-2002) and the second gens (2003-2006) and they make good quality products my dad bought parts from them to restore his 1961 ford F100 4x4, all the patch pannels and light rings and its quality stuff so check them out.

View attachment 3408

View attachment 3409

View attachment 3410

Just showing you some of what they have plus good looking fender flares to help you make your fender trim look not overdone and close to a factory typ look.

I just looked through their pages before I posted, Didn't see any rocker panels tho
 

TopGun

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Ive done the whole grind and weld dance with a side of new paint, only for it to get demolished in a Minnesota salt heavy winter. So im trying some new "experimental" fixes on my Expy this year. All else fails ill just get new doors. :)
 

TopGun

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Ive done the whole grind and weld dance with a side of new paint, only for it to get demolished in a Minnesota salt heavy winter. So im trying some new "experimental" fixes on my Expy this year. All else fails ill just get new doors. :)
 
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