Rocker Panels

[Plati]

Hi MrSticker,
Thanks for the reply!
Sorry I wasn't clear.
Should these holes be covered? - This thread seems to say, "Yes".
Is it OK to cover them with aluminum flashing and liquid nails?

Additionally, I would love some feedback on my other post (Question about factory rocker panel holes). Am I on the right track in addressing this problem on my Expedition?

well ... i think they should be covered but i only cover (plug) them for winter
i like to flush them out in the spring to get the crud out ... and use the holes for that
but ... why are they there to begin with? i dunno
even after plugging mine, crud gets in where the running board is mounted
https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/wny-rust.34632/page-3#post-302178

 

[no MORE_MPG]

My Passenger outer rocker looks a bit better now.

Patched with galvanized steel that I could bend without a brake (26 ga.). These have been glued and riveted in place.

Since these pictures, I have bondo'd over this and painted it black for now.

Also, I stripped most of the surface rust from the frame and coated it with POR-15 and satin black Rust-oleum.


I have not covered the holes in the inner rocker panels. The entire inside (that I could reach when the big hole was open) has been coated with POR-15. Maybe that's good enough. Now I can wait for the driver's side to do the same thing, or maybe park it on a hill and then on a dry day, just pour some POR-15 in the up-hill hole.

 

[Frosty]

I got my rockers from Browns of two rivers. Complete rocker panels, cut off and weld on replacements.

Part numbers: 579A-04L and 579A-04R

These are listed for a 2006 XLT but fit my 2008 XLT perfectly.

They do offer slip ons as well

I have a 2009 Eddie Bower. It is in very good shape except for the rocker panels. In the jurisdiction where I live it is required that it pass an inspection. In order to register the vehicle I am required to repair the rust according to OEM specifications. The question I have; Did your installation of the panel on your 2008 require modifications to the OEM panel purchased from Browns?

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I have a 2009 Eddie Bower. It is in very good shape except for the rocker panels. In the jurisdiction where I live it is required that it pass an inspection. In order to register the vehicle I am required to repair the rust according to OEM specifications. The question I have; Did your installation of the panel on your 2008 require modifications to the OEM panel purchased from Browns?

Your truck won't pass inspection with rusted rockers? We have safety inspections here as well and it's a non-issue.

 

[Frosty]

No it won't pass unfortunately. They claim it is a safety issue with a side on collision. The only way I can get it to pass inspection is to replace the rocker panels on both sides with OEM parts using OEM specifications. Ford will sell me the parts for $7000.00 (which includes the door frame and quarter panel) and then I am required to use their OEM specs for replacement. If the OEM panels from Browns need to be modified in any way it won't pass either.

 

[JExpedition07]

No it won't pass unfortunately. They claim it is a safety issue with a side on collision. The only way I can get it to pass inspection is to replace the rocker panels on both sides with OEM parts using OEM specifications. Ford will sell me the parts for $7000.00 (which includes the door frame and quarter panel) and then I am required to use their OEM specs for replacement. If the OEM panels from Browns need to be modified in any way it won't pass either.

Order the keystone panels for the 2006. It’s the same panel. It will pass. Nobody can tell. Have a body shop do the work and take it somewhere else for inspection.

I bought a set of the OEM’s, mine were replaced...the outer rockers are tin foil and offer no help in a crash. These are cosmetic and for a toe-kick. The inner rockers are triple thickness and are your safety. Those also don’t rust out on these.

 

[Frosty]

I can get the keystone panels locally and don't have to pay shipping but they look like the slip on ones when I look online. The other issue with them is that I am required to produce the invoice for my purchase and it needs to specify OEM. I phoned keystone and they say theirs are not specified as OEM. Oh and I am also required to replace the inner rockers as well but that's not the problem since I can get those from our local Ford dealer for $150 each.

 

[TobyU]

I'd just move. Apparently it's a scam to get older vehicles off the road. This is not a safety issue. It's complete bullcrap.

I would certainly win though! Regardless of what I had to download off the internet, cut and paste so I would have a receipt to show them that said OEM. That description text can be found anywhere.
All pencil pushing geek rules are meant to be circumvented.

 

[JExpedition07]

I’m not really buying it. So any 00-2010 vehicle that rusts that you literally CANNOT get oem panels from for must be removed from the road? Not so sure your state inspector knows what he’s talking about. I’d get a second opinion from someone else.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

Well, it seems rockers are considered essential to "body integrity." ******** imho.

https://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/vehicle_inspections/PDF/Structural_Integrity_Process_Guideline.pdf