Question about factory rocker panel holes

[JExpedition07]

So I was reading on the F150 forum that the holes cut into the inner rocker panels are originally covered in duct tape from the factory which is supposed to be permanent to cover them... really Ford? Really? I sprayed the inside of my rocker panels with fluid film rustproofer through these factory cutouts in the inner rockers... my question is.... are those supposed to be taped off? That's kind of ridiculous Ford relies on duct tape to cover the holes on the F150s and we are talking the steel body ones. Does anyone else have tape over these inner rocker holes? Are they supposed to be taped shut in our trucks too? The outer rocker panels LOVE to rust on these expeditions. Up north you can always tell because they all have the rust lines running down the running boards where the water comes out of them... you can find pretty new ones doing it. Don't get me wrong it doesn't bother me all that much as body on frame vehicles always get rust due to the thinner panels which aren't the vehicles structure like a unibody vehicle but it's got my gears turning...

 

[gixer2000]

Rocker panels are still a structural part of a vehicle with a frame! Think about a side impact crash and how deep in the frame is. You rely heavily on the rockers for side impacts.

I have never see any f150 or expedition with the holes taped shut but I feel like before the rust has started it could help preserve the rockers longer. Once it starts though the best thing you can do is apart it down with some type of oil spray to displace the moisture

 

[JExpedition07]

Rocker panels are still a structural part of a vehicle with a frame! Think about a side impact crash and how deep in the frame is. You rely heavily on the rockers for side impacts.

I have never see any f150 or expedition with the holes taped shut but I feel like before the rust has started it could help preserve the rockers longer. Once it starts though the best thing you can do is apart it down with some type of oil spray to displace the moisture

I agree with you that rockers are part of the structure but I'd say the inner rocker panel is more structural. outers are literally glorified tin foil panels... up here in NY everyone in an expy is driving around with shot outer panels. It seems like 7/10 expys you walk up to have those rust lines coming down, and I'm talking 3rd gens. Replacing the rocker panels on these trucks is about $10,000-$15,000 (the trucks value) because you have to replace the whole side of the truck with it so I don't foresee anyone forking out that dough. I've been seeing a lot of 150s with this too it's not just us... I saw a 2010 (looked at registration) F150 a few weeks ago with no cab corners or rocker panels left it was all rusted away. I think my next Ford will be aluminum. BTW thanks for the reply.

 

[powerboatr]

no duct tape
but there are structural tapes used all over most vehicles, all brands

 

[no MORE_MPG]

Hello,
I know that it has been some time since this thread had any action, but my new to me 2011 has the outer rocker shot (passenger's) and the other OK. I cut out all of the rust and noticed that there don't seem to be any drain holes, but those large salt water intake holes.

I've been thinking about cutting some aluminum flashing and applying them to those holes with some liquid nails. I haven't been able to imagine a way that this could make the situation worse, but so far I only have my own perspective. Please let me know what I am missing, if anything.

There is a lot of strong metal left on the inner rockers that I'd like to preserve. I wish that there was more to the bottom of that B-Piller post!

Also, while I'm under there, does anyone have any reason that I shouldn't wire brush any rust that I can see/get at and coat it with POR-15? This Expedition was not undercoated, but isn't awful. But, there are some floor-pan seems and some surface rust on the frame. Like I said, if there is little/no down-side, I'd like to try to preserve as much metal as I can.

BTW, this is my first real post. No reason to go easy on me. If I'm on the wrong track, let me know!