Hi, My rockerpanels are rusted out on both sides on my 1998 ram. As anyone else have this problem? Is this common for this old of a truck? Thank you Tom

 

I noticed that mine are starting to rust out. I can see the paint and where it is bubbleing out. I wander how much that going to cost to fix???? But the rest of the truck is in great shape.
DM01

 

This topic makes me glad I don't live in the Rust Belt. Best practice I have heard to try to ward off the rocker panel rust as long as possible is to flush the rocker panel out with water as often as possible.

Another planned obsolecence area - the quicker they rust after the warranty is out the more they will sell in the long run......

A friend of mine's Dad worked for GM back in the early 70's designing bodies for Chevy/GMC trucks - the prone-to-rust areas of the 73-up Chevy trucks (wheelwell lips, rocker panels, lower fenders, floor boards, etc.) were DESIGNED to rot - by management decree. I think it was 17 intentional areas that were designed to catch as much crud as possible and were intentinally under-protected. I know all about them because my first ride was a rotted-out 1973 Chevy C20 - with all the intentional rust areas gone (looked like swiss cheese going down the road - it was yellow/orange and rust-colored).

 

If I'm not mistaken the paint warranty on my '95 was for 7 years, might help some of you. I know they will only cover the paint if the metal is rusted though.

 

Ahhhh...The good old days! Not always as good as we remember....but that story (if 100% accurate) "by management decree" is truly amazing to me. No insult intended-just very difficult to accept that degree of planned obsolecence!
Rowland

 

Mine are starting to rust. The drivers door is the worst now. Gonna have to get on it soon.

Dave

 

Mine have surface rust (Utah has rocks that chip, not humidity that rots) so I am getting them rhino lined this week.