2007 rocker panels gone
- Thread starter ninjafied
- Start date
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ExpeditionAndy
Full Access Members
Check Rock Auto look in the body section. They have the outer shell.
ExpeditionAndy
Full Access Members
Looks like they only carry them up to 2006, but they shouldn't be very different and you should be able to make them work. Either that or try a body shop supply place. They might have sources for sheet metal.
ExpeditionAndy
Full Access Members
That's really the right way to do it. Cut out all of the rusted metal and then weld in the new pieces. Anything else is just a stop gap measure and you will be doing it again in a couple of years. This way it adds back all of the strength of the original design, but it is very expensive.
First ask yourself, How long will I keep truck? How much will you spend? My rockers were bad and only rust on truck. I found a shop, that has done this repair and was familiar with it. They installed patch panels(just lower section). They cut the bad sections out and weld the panel over the old ones. The seams were sealed and hid with a little body work and chip guard. They charged $1400. That was 4 years ago and truck still solid. A complete rocker replacement will cost $2500-2800. It involves a lot of cutting, welding, interior removal and expensive parts.
Underdog66
Well-Known Member
My rockers are rusted out. I found a PAIR on Amazon for 90 bucks. Yes they are 'slip on' rockers which are a cosmetic fix. That works for mine since mine is cosmetic. I am going to cut out the metal that has rusted completely. I am going to clean as much surface rust with brushes, wire wheels etc. Once that step is complete I am going to apply rust inhibitor/restorer paint to the underside/inside of the inner rocker. I am also going to coat the underside and outside of the slip on rocker. I am going to tack weld the slip on rocker and 'hide' the seam under the trim.
I'll keep you posted if you'd like.
I'll keep you posted if you'd like.
John Christopher
Full Access Members
Hi, Underdog66 if you don't mind keep me posted on your progress on the rockers. I have an 03 Eddie Bauer with 115000 miles and the rocker problem. Thanks
Underdog66
Well-Known Member
Not sure if you're referring to me or not, but mine are the outer skins, not the inners. The inners are fine. I am not 'hiding the rust' , I am repairing it. ;-)
JExpedition07
That One Member
Update on mine is in the last month mine are bubbling out and leaving rust tracts down the running boards. They are falling into pieces all of a sudden. I'm reading about people with 2014s that have their panels rusting through. My aunts 08 is starting to have big holes right through the bottom of them. Their 14' is also bubbling and rusting down there. Ford did a terrible job with these panels I'm going to have to get a newer truck after this winter. Beware if you live up north because these trucks still use the same weak, garbage panels. To replace them is more than the truck is worth. Oil and rust proof treatments won't help it will still rust out talked to people who did it and it made zero difference on theirs.
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ExpeditionAndy
Full Access Members
Many northern states haves switched to a beet juice extract for road deicing. The stuff works great but it is highly corrosive to sheet metal. The only way to control it is to hose it off as soon as it gets on your vehicle and even that that is no guarantee.
Big Brian
Full Access Members
its pretty common. when shopping for my 08 in March, the first one I looked at (private owner) was white, clean as a whistle. Then I noticed a little orange stain on the plastic rocker, the lady said its just the running board. Well, being plastic I knew better and put my finger through the rocker.
Next vehicle was at a Ford dealer. I called on it, asked the salesman about rust on the rocker, he went and checked said there was none. I went and looked at it, same thing, put my finger through the rocker and pulled up a chunk of rust and gave it to him.
Finally found a solid one but it took some looking.
Next vehicle was at a Ford dealer. I called on it, asked the salesman about rust on the rocker, he went and checked said there was none. I went and looked at it, same thing, put my finger through the rocker and pulled up a chunk of rust and gave it to him.
Finally found a solid one but it took some looking.
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JExpedition07
That One Member
Mine wasn't bad just recently it's really showing. There are a few of these trucks throughout my family and they are all showing rust as of now... even a 2014 although the rockers on that one are just bubbling up on the bottom you know what's under those bubbles. I see it a lot on the 150s too and reading up on it these rust out quick in comparison to the competitors. I love these trucks but I'm venting as it sucks. Yea I hear you on how common it is. I've been looking at other expys in lots and they all have the same rust tracts running down under the front doors. Our local fire chief has an 08 and let me look at his... same deal... it was the rust tracts and bubbling paint/holes. My problem is the other guys tahoes that were just as old had nothing seriously wrong with the rockers other than minor stuff.
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Big Brian
Full Access Members
yeah I hear ya JE
almost kept me from buying mine, I was getting bummed out seeing it on every one I was looking at.
I am sure its just a matter of time. I had an Aerostar with completely rusted out rockers, I replaced them it wasn't a bad job but am not ready to do it again anytime soon.
I am in Michigan, the one I bought was from New Brunswick Canada and was owned by an elderly gentleman, its super clean no rust maybe they do things differently to the roads up there, or if he didn't drive it in the winter, I don't know
almost kept me from buying mine, I was getting bummed out seeing it on every one I was looking at.
I am sure its just a matter of time. I had an Aerostar with completely rusted out rockers, I replaced them it wasn't a bad job but am not ready to do it again anytime soon.
I am in Michigan, the one I bought was from New Brunswick Canada and was owned by an elderly gentleman, its super clean no rust maybe they do things differently to the roads up there, or if he didn't drive it in the winter, I don't know
Flexpedition
Full Access Members
All the money saved by not getting the $15 car wash during the winter can now be put to good use...
ExpeditionAndy
Full Access Members
My dealer offered a Ziebart package with an annual service check and touch up for the next 10 years. Knowing the rust issues I had on my 05 I went for it. They sprayed the inside of the rockers, the doors, the liftgate, and the hood with their rust inhibiting gel. They also sprayed a noise reduction material on the underside of floor pan and I got them to squirt some of that gel inside the radiator support for good measure. Only time will tell now.
JExpedition07
That One Member
Wash it all you want... its the design flaw that causes problems not lack of washing. Chief washed his truck all the time it didn't help. Ford acknowledged there is problems with these rocker panels it's very common on newer F150s a lot of people's they had to replace in warranty.
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