Sunroof Drain Terminations

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

cootersEL

Active Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2012
Posts
27
Reaction score
4
Location
Ann Arbor, MI
I have a 2002 F150 with 248K miles. Anyways, this truck, used and abused to the maximum no longer has rockers. I wanted to complain about this to Ford or ASC because I think it has to do with where the drain tubes for the sunroof ended. The front drain tubes terminated inside the rockers where it couldn't drain out properly! Isn't this crazy!

So, I was wondering, where do the Expedition EL Drain Tubes end? I spent too much time under mine lately, so I am hoping someone saves me the trip. Although, it is likely that I will investigate this weekend.

Anyone cleaned their drain tubes and sought out where the drain ends?

******
 

mrford60

Full Access Members
Joined
May 12, 2012
Posts
219
Reaction score
19
Location
SE pennsylvania
sunroof drains

the rocker panels rusting out in your f150 are not caused by the drains in the sunroof. I work in a body shop and see these years F150 rockers rust out with or with out sunroofs. the design is a bad one and the salt rusts them out because it gets trapped inside the rockers. your lucky you got that many miles on your f150 before they rusted out. right now we have a 2001 f150 with just over 100k miles on it all rusted out to try to repair.
 

p38fln

Active Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2016
Posts
26
Reaction score
9
Location
Wisconsin
Well - my driver's side rocker panels just rusted out - and it just so happens that the GIGANTIC hole in the driver's side rocker panel is right where the sunroof drain comes out behind the rear passenger door. How do I know this? Cause it's a huge freaking hole and I can see the drain tube through it. It's got folding running boards and we washed it religiously with the running boards extended, the only possible way for it to rust in this area is from the inside out. Also, I can confirm that it had far more rust inside than outside the rocker panel.

There is a tube going to all four wheel wells, from each corner of the moonroof, the only opening in the rocker panels for the water to drain back out is at the front of the Expedition.


Passenger side rocker panel is also beginning to rust in the very same area.

If I'd known about this absolutely retarded design, I would have known to park with the rear end facing uphill...
 

John Christopher

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 8, 2017
Posts
393
Reaction score
80
Location
CT
I never knew that the tubes run into the rockers. The water run off would cause rust but the salt and other chemicals they put on the roads also makes them rust. Did you get any pricing on repairing them yet?
 

ExpeditionAndy

Full Access Members
Joined
Aug 31, 2013
Posts
3,708
Reaction score
1,130
Location
Fort Wayne, Indiana
My 05 didn't have a sunroof and it had a fist sized hole in the rocker about half way back on the seat. and I could have made the hole bigger if I had kept chipping away at the flaking metal.
 

Big Brian

Full Access Members
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Posts
601
Reaction score
208
Location
Farmington Hills Mi
rusty rockers are real common when I was shopping for my 08 every one I looked at I could reach under the door sill and either feel rust or put my finger through the underside of the panel.

None of the ones I looked at had a sunroof

finally found one that was solid from the outside at least. No telling what it looks like from the inside
 

powerboatr

Full Access Members
Joined
May 16, 2016
Posts
981
Reaction score
380
Location
North East Texas
the sunroof drains, terminate just above the frame attach point and do drain right out on the ground
open your sunroof and park with the nose down slightly , pour slowly water in the sunroof catchment area, and you will see where it drops out below
 
Top