Ruster Rocker Product

[Trainmaster]

Rocker panels rusting away? Hey, check this out!

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Rustrepairpanel/posts/?ref=page_internal

https://www.rustrepairpanel.com/home.html

No tools needed, except a screwdriver. Looks like they take the aluminum capping that's used when siding houses, bend it to the shape of your rocker panel and send you a handful of aluminum self-tapping screws.

Amazing what a little ($99 + $25 shipping) cover-up can do.

Yea, they make them for all year Expeditions.

 

[JExpedition07]

I think the old rusty rockers with some good steel left offer more structure than these lol. Rockers aren’t as big of a deal on body on frame vehicles but still might as well do it right if your going to do it. At least a pair of the cheaper steel slip on rockers is decent.

 

[gixer2000]

I think the old rusty rockers with some good steel left offer more structure than these lol. Rockers aren’t as big of a deal on body on frame vehicles but still might as well do it right if your going to do it. At least a pair of the cheaper steel slip on rockers is decent.

These slip over the current rotting rockers so structurally nothing will change while adding these.

Also I think the rockers are still important on a body on frame. But the think that importance is with side impacts. I think it offers more support for the door and ultimately keeps it from caving it too far.

 

[JExpedition07]

Could very well be, but ford doesn’t seem to put much effort into protecting them on their full size offerings. It’s an expensive panel that doesn’t impede the vehicles function, so it is often left be....whether it’s right or wrong.

 

[TobyU]

These things are absolutely thin and terrible! Better than nothing but get the slip on ones and pull the plastic trim off and slid under carpet. Even if you panel bond them they will look better.
These are gutter soffit stuff thin...that's what they make them from and with no matching bends to make them strong.

 

[gixer2000]

These things are absolutely thin and terrible! Better than nothing but get the slip on ones and pull the plastic trim off and slid under carpet. Even if you panel bond them they will look better.
These are gutter soffit stuff thin...that's what they make them from and with no matching bends to make them strong.

Problem is that no one offers slip on rocker panels for the 07+. Some claim the 03-06 fit with some work but nothing offered for the EL. Thankfully I don't have rusty rockers but for the ones that do this could be the only option vs dropping a couple grand each side to have them done correctly.

 

[TobyU]

Problem is that no one offers slip on rocker panels for the 07+. Some claim the 03-06 fit with some work but nothing offered for the EL. Thankfully I don't have rusty rockers but for the ones that do this could be the only option vs dropping a couple grand each side to have them done correctly.

I think the more real problem is that 07s are already rusted out to that point.!!!!!

 

[HawkX66]

Cut a 2" profile section out of what is left of your rockers. Bring it to a metal shop. $75 and they'll bend up a set. Both left and right sides. Correct gauge metal, not these BS waste of money crap rain gutters.

 

[Geargambler]

Cut a 2" profile section out of what is left of your rockers. Bring it to a metal shop. $75 and they'll bend up a set. Both left and right sides. Correct gauge metal, not these BS waste of money crap rain gutters.

This was a great idea. well done!

 

[Trainmaster]

Incredible stuff Hawk! Good thing I get to Virginia from time to time where people still work. Not a soul left on Long Island to work metal.

How's you mount them? Holes then spot welded?

 

[HawkX66]

Thanks guys. I didn't do much special to attach them. My 07 Expy has 215k on the clock so I just wanted to get it looking decent and not cut anyone. Once I had the metal, I used a cut off wheel and got rid of all the rot. Then painted the bare metal. If this were a job I was really concerned about, I would have butt welded the new rocker on. For this one I just simply did a lap joint. I did drill holes in the new rocker and spot welded them on. Finally I primed and painted them. Overall it was a very easy job. As you mentioned, the toughest part could be sourcing the metal shop. This would be something you could easily do even by mail if you can find a shop that will do it. The ones in the first post really aren't worth your time. You might as well be using duct tape and spray bombing them. They'll crush if you breath on them. I'd be surprised if they'd make a winter with salt on the road also.

 

[Trainmaster]

Yea, those rain gutter rockers are really a joke. It amazes me what American ingenuity will do to make a buck.

 

[SEPTIC PROFESSOR]

Complete joke and utter waste of time and money. People with brains buy a totally rust free Florida Expedition. Locate one on autotrader, cars.com or whatever and either fly down and drive it back or get
it shipped for around $700.

 

[TobyU]

Complete joke and utter waste of time and money. People with brains buy a totally rust free Florida Expedition. Locate one on autotrader, cars.com or whatever and either fly down and drive it back or get
it shipped for around $700.

Florida's better than most places but not the best. I agree with you. I have pretty much decided to never buy another car in my own state or any of the Rust Belt states. I don't ship them. I just either drive with a friend and drive back or fly there and drive back.

 

[HawkX66]

People with brains buy a totally rust free Florida Expedition. Locate one on autotrader, cars.com or whatever and either fly down and drive it back or get it shipped for around $700.

Now that's funny. The state that has all the flooding and hurricanes etc. There are more salt water flood cars from Florida probably than any other state. I'll pass... Guess I didn't have any brains when I bought my used, rust free 40k mile Expedition in Michigan. The rockers turned to dust after around 200k miles of northern winters for me. Dang, wish I bought that Florida Expy...

 

[barongan]

Pretty interesting posting

 

[catmandu]

The aluminum "rain gutter" ones serve a purpose, quickly, and at a good price, given the lack of aftermarket panels right now. They got my 3rd Gen through our tough pre-sale state inspection with only a few hours work. I did not have time to fabricate and weld out of steel sheet like I did on the 2nd Gen I did for my Uncle. I priced the car fairly and disclosed the repair to the new buyer, they were happy. Took some pictures if anyone wants a full write up.

 

[TobyU]

Yes, better than nothing but far away from an actual rocker panel replacement or even an overlay that's corrugated and stronger and cut to fit perfectly.

 

[Damon329]

The aluminum "rain gutter" ones serve a purpose, quickly, and at a good price, given the lack of aftermarket panels right now. They got my 3rd Gen through our tough pre-sale state inspection with only a few hours work. I did not have time to fabricate and weld out of steel sheet like I did on the 2nd Gen I did for my Uncle. I priced the car fairly and disclosed the repair to the new buyer, they were happy. Took some pictures if anyone wants a full write up.

Can you send me some pics?

 

[catmandu]

Here's a link to the photos of the process I referenced above:

https://imgur.com/a/1A0Gojf