PeterB

-

On an 02 Overlander 47 with 109K the rocker panels on both sides are rusted out. I understand this is the tech forum but just thought some of you experienced middle age guys would have an idea, suggestions. Guys can I I purchase them economically. Other then the scrap yard cause I'm probably looking at rusted ones again. It really is another poor design as everytime I see one of these on the road they have the same isssue...



Those are them, the darker grey ones just below the front and rear doors.

FYI I had them repaired about 3 months ago and I see the rust coming through again. Not to mention when the cars on a lift you can see that they are just rotted out. Not sure if you can just remove these because new they run about $350 each and that's not going to happen.

Thanks guys. As always I appreciate the guys on Tech Forum so much. Dave/Busted amongts all the others, you guys rock, you are awesome. Always willing to help, always posting to help us less knowledgeable experienced guys with your wisdom and expertise.

On behalf of all of us, Thank you men. You're the best!








PeterB.



-

Bustedback

I live in California, so I don't have any rust repair experience.

dave1123

Well, I live in the salt belt also, that is, where they use salt on the roads. My WJ spent most of it's life in Pennsylvania where, I'm told, they don't use salt on the roads and my rockers are pristine. It's only been up here in Upstate NY for about 35K with no rust yet.

About the best you can do to combat rust is get it washed commercially using the undercarraige feature and DON'T park it in a heated garage. The warmer temperatures of the garage makes the salt work faster. To make matters worse, some localities are now using brine instead of rock salt. Brine will get into places you can't even imagine.

There used to be drain holes in rocker panels of most cars, but I haven't found any in my WJ. IDK if that's better or worse. GM, back in the 60's, decided to reduce rocker panel rust by funneling air from the cowl area down thru the rockers to dry them out and that seems to work well. I've noticed many other cars have this same system, however leaves, pine needles and other debris can clog the ducts and need to be vacuumed out periodically. Also, make sure the drains in the doors are clear.

As far as stopping rust, you can't, but you can slow it down. After all, these vehicles are made of steel.

PeterB

-

Thanks guys. IMO vents or not bad design any way you cut it....

I was more interested in finding out where I maybe able to economically purchase a pair.


I did at one point try one of the venders here but when he finally responded to my PM the answer was "no we don't carry those"

Perhaps someone else has some ideas?


Thanks you. Enjoy your day!



Btw Elizabeth is from Cali too Oh my what curves!

And you know what they say about the West Coast girls...








Sweet !


Enjoy your day men.

PeterB.



-

dave1123

You can probably order them thru a body shop, but they have to be welded in, you know. They add structural strength to the door frame area.

po0dingles

lol pete you're a riot

PeterB

-

Don't mind having them welded or for that matter just removed period. Doing without the rust eye sore would be fine with me.

Dave you mention they are structural support and that got my attention. Are they really?

My 00 Limited 47 didn't have them?? It held up pretty good at 310k.

My concern is that regardless of replacing them, they will just rust out eventually. It's just a BS design, I mean if they were going to put them there why not stainless or hard strengthened synthetic rubber or composite of sorts??

I mean what are these Chrysler engineers thinking?

PeterB

-

muffinman

Dave, I think he is talking about the factory Overland sliders. Is that right Peter?

PeterB

-

Yo Muff, whats doing brotha?

Yup whatever those darker grey panels are across the bottom under the front n rear doors are? I though they were rocker panel moldings but then again they aren't moldings are they?

Check that first photo out (I know its hard to do when Liz photo is on this tread too). They are right there, below the lower door moldings that round looking post across the bottom just under where the doors close.


I'm looking to replace economically. I think they are just for cosmetic purposes, if you just removed those, would it cause an issue? Thanks guys

-

dave1123

Yeah, looking again they just look like gravel guards. I thought you were talking about the rockers themselves because you said they rusted out. I'm more familiar with the vinyl lower panels on the Larado. The rockers rust out behind them and you don't even notice it until it's too late to save them.

PeterB

-

Yup, these are rusted out too. Really bad, from under neat they're just a shell too.

Definitely a pucked up thing...

Hey guys I'm also having to adjust my passenger side rear view mirror every other day. What up with that? The suction is getting tired or ?? Anything I can do to repair or ?

Thanks again.

Back to where to find those lower rockers economically priced...

-

muffinman

http://www.wjjeeps.com/overlandrr.htm These are what Peter is after. Ever thought of after market sliders?

PeterB

-

Yup. Those are them alright. Rock rails discontinue? Wonderful. At $714 each no wonder their dicontinued. I'm sure nobody bought them. Just drive with them rusted out, unfortunately that's not an option for me. I can't deal with that rust holes chit.

Is that an option Muff? Aftermarket ones? I wonder if they'll fir fine and most importantly how much they would run... Friggin Chrysler and their non sense designs. Yuk!

-