Rockers

vbrad511 · Nov 18, 2018

Hey all, Wasn't sure where to post this, but here it is. I recently bought a 2011 XLY 4wd 5-spd Ranger. I've had my '97 since 2001, and pretty much know my way around it, but this '11 is uncharted to me.
One thing I've noticed is the hollow, and open rockers on it. If I open either front door there's a small oval in the top of the sill, and i can see the ground through it. From under the truck the front of the rockers is also open/exposed, so I can actually see into them. This seems like a good trap for water, dirt, etc, and a good place for it to start rusting. Do folks typically seal these up? I'm in Illinois, and we get a bit of snow, and a bit of salt on the roads. My '97 has started to rust, but overall has held up nicely over the years. I'd like this one to last a good long while too.

vbrad511 · Nov 21, 2018

bump...

black_demon69 · Nov 22, 2018

Pics might help

fangotango306 · Nov 22, 2018

The 08 i had had open rockers. I was told by a ford service manager it was to allow air in to keep them dry so moisture and rust doesnt form like the earlier trucks. Mine had a factory clear rock gaurd? Sprayed over the rockers and inside all the oval holes.

91stranger · Nov 23, 2018

rockers cant rust if there is not metal to rust. the old rockers rusted so bad because they WEREN'T cut out on the bottom which allowed everything to sit and cause the metal to rust. Mine has the cut rockers and the truck is 20 years old and rocks are in great shape. I would leave them be.

vbrad511 · Nov 24, 2018

I'm new to posting pics here. Let's see if these come through...

vbrad511 · Nov 24, 2018

My 97's rockers are fine. I made sure to spraybomb undercoater on the bottom of the truck religiously for the first few years I had it. Guess I'll blast these with it too...or...I've been reading about "Fluid Film". Would that be a better option? I know I'd have to redo it every year, but that's not a problem.

55trucker · Nov 25, 2018

My 98 reg cab has no rockers at all, sitting on a full chassis they are not needed for the reg cab, I'm guessing that the supercab has the *open* rockers for the sake of support for the rear door?

Shran · Nov 26, 2018

Seems like out here, anyway, most Rangers newer than '93 don't develop body cancer or at least not much - radiator core support is the one exception. Frames, however... wow.

The open rockers concept is interesting. I can see them getting packed full of slush, mud, whatever and the typical owner isn't going to pay any attention to that and they'll rust just as bad as enclosed ones. Easier for the rest of us to clean out, though.

If they'd just seal them up correctly to begin with, there would be no problem. The Explorers were really bad about that, while welding in new dog legs on my '92 I found a gap that was there from the factory which allowed water to splash in there off the rear tires... no wonder they rusted out so bad. It's almost like it was intentionally designed that way.

85_Ranger4x4 · Nov 26, 2018

Shran said:
Seems like out here, anyway, most Rangers newer than '93 don't develop body cancer or at least not much - radiator core support is the one exception. Frames, however... wow.

The open rockers concept is interesting. I can see them getting packed full of slush, mud, whatever and the typical owner isn't going to pay any attention to that and they'll rust just as bad as enclosed ones. Easier for the rest of us to clean out, though.

If they'd just seal them up correctly to begin with, there would be no problem. The Explorers were really bad about that, while welding in new dog legs on my '92 I found a gap that was there from the factory which allowed water to splash in there off the rear tires... no wonder they rusted out so bad. It's almost like it was intentionally designed that way.

Slush won't stay there forever though and going thru a water puddle (once the salt is gone) would probably come close to rinsing it out.

Even if it was sealed, it would have condensation unless it was filled with an inert gas (like double plane windows)

Open and draining is the way to go.

I have also heard not keeping your vehicle in a heated garage is better. When the salt is locked in ice it can't do anything to your vehicle. Melting it every night is a salt bath every night.

No idea how much truth there is to it though.

Ranger850 · Nov 26, 2018

85_Ranger4x4 said:
I have also heard not keeping your vehicle in a heated garage is better. When the salt is locked in ice it can't do anything to your vehicle. Melting it every night is a salt bath every night.

No idea how much truth there is to it though.

Science says this makes sense :icon_thumby:

adsm08 · Nov 26, 2018

Shran said:
It's almost like it was intentionally designed that way.

We have a winner. They are called rot pockets, and they are a feature, not a bug.

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