A heads up for hidden rust
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Nova Scotia
A heads up for hidden rust
Just thought I would share my experience with getting the body work done on the X. I have the Limited and as such the plastic trim around the wheel wells and the bottoms of the doors. I had the body guy remove them as a piece was broken on the front quarter panel and a piece was partly detached from the right rear door. He said it was a good thing I removed it when I did as there was rust under every single peice of plastic as well as in behind the running boards. Nowhere was it evident before the plastic came off, there was no bubbling above the panels or any other clue to the damage being done underneath. It was bad enough on the right front fender, just in front of the door, that he had to weld a new piece of steel in. Once again, no damage was visable before the trim came off. Just a word to the wise for those of us that live in a winter/salt/occasional dirt road condition.
On a good note, the body work is done and the truck is being prepped to be sprayed with GatorHyde truck bed liner as we speak...
Project Ratt X is well on the way.... IronBull winch bumper and custom fab'd running boards/rocker guards will be shortly after.
On a good note, the body work is done and the truck is being prepped to be sprayed with GatorHyde truck bed liner as we speak...
Project Ratt X is well on the way.... IronBull winch bumper and custom fab'd running boards/rocker guards will be shortly after.
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Joined: Sep 2001
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I knew I didnt like those plastic pieces for a reason. I had a new quarter put on the rear drivers side and wasnt told about any rust so I hope the rest of my trucks clean still. I was it every time it gets salt on it and allow it to dry in a somewhat warm garage after a very very thorough rinsing. Reminds me of the old cutlass's with the chrome panels along the bottom all the way around the car. Sure looks nice, till you find out whats going on under there!!
Were your plastic parts peeling back or not sticking well at all? Id imagine they should seal out the salt if they are sticking well. Could the rusdt have started at the inner edge thats exposed in the wheel well and grown upwards from there?
Were your plastic parts peeling back or not sticking well at all? Id imagine they should seal out the salt if they are sticking well. Could the rusdt have started at the inner edge thats exposed in the wheel well and grown upwards from there?
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Nova Scotia
The problem with the plastic panels is they're only held on by two thin strips of 3M adhesive that is about an inch at least from the edge of the trim. The dust, salt and water get in there easily enough and with time and the inevitable movement between the plastic and the paint....rust.
The front quarter that needed the weld patch was not broken or cracked at all.
Ian, considering your location, I wouldn't worry to much if I were you...
The front quarter that needed the weld patch was not broken or cracked at all.
Ian, considering your location, I wouldn't worry to much if I were you...
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I feel good about trying to rinse the heck out of the tops of teh moldings and all the spaces beteen body panels and wiping jambs regularly. I though I was just paranoid but I guess you proved I'm not. I had my quaqarter panel replaces and the double sided tape seems quite close to the top edge of the molding, but it has begun to unstick where it curves in at the back of the wheel well. Gonna have it retaped when I get some time the shop said no prob and I can wait while he does it. Gonna see if I can keep it close to teh edge and try to get one solid strip across the top so junk wont drain in behind it.
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From: Nova Scotia
Looks good,imo. The non-Limited X's didn't have the trim. Although there are a few holes under the rear quarter plastic that need to be filled. Also found out that there are holes under the Excursion badging in the front quarters.... I thought they were adhesive only, but apparantly not.
Propaneman, all black is what mine was with the plastic and it looked sweet. It will still be all black but with a slightly rougher texture to it....
Propaneman, all black is what mine was with the plastic and it looked sweet. It will still be all black but with a slightly rougher texture to it....
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Posting Guru
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Lost MANY a bronco to rust. I am going crazy trying to keep my truck clean. Ford uses junk hardware thats not coated all over, big part of the problem in my opinion. Dodge is even worse it seems. Honestly, GM's are way better at rust protection from everything I have seen.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: sw mich
I don't have the limited trim, but paint has been falling off my fenders already
When I was looking for an EX it was a common theme to find them with paint falling off of the lower corners of the middle window frames and the rear dutch door hinges.
When I was looking for an EX it was a common theme to find them with paint falling off of the lower corners of the middle window frames and the rear dutch door hinges.
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From: Metro Detroit, MI.
Problems with my 02 are the lower iner doors, and the rear door hinges. Thinking about removing the panels, but with the existing minoe problems dont want to take on anyhting more at this point.