What is real reason for unplugged rocker panel holes?

[JalanX]

I was reading on some forums of different makes of vehicles. So it seems other makes/modesl also come with holes in the rocker panels. Some said their vehicle came with holes plugged, others (saw mention of some newer Fords F150 trucks) and Dodge Ram came with duct tape covering the holes! It was suggested to spray through the open holes with Fluid Film and put plugs in the holes. Read Fluid Film will penetrate sand, dust and even salt to get to the frame and suggested to apply annually. I think that's what I'm going to do.

I sprayed fluid film all up in the holes before plugging. As said there are still drain holes but on inner side. That Phil guy on here that is a Ford tech or whatever said the holes are for the robotics when assembling vehicle. There are many items left off the 2021’s.

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[OregonRangerTremor]

How about a photo or two of what you guys are talking about....both plugged and unplugged ? Thanks

 

[AzScorpion]

How about a photo or two of what you guys are talking about....both plugged and unplugged ? Thanks

Factory Plugged

 

[got3fords]

How about a photo or two of what you guys are talking about....both plugged and unplugged ? Thanks

Just bend down (or kneel) and look below the doors. You will see several round holes or plugs along the lower outside panel, you can't miss them.

 

[paval3]

Here's the size rubber plugs that are supposed to fit. There are 10 holes each side on my Crew cab.
Black Rubber Plugs

 

[wetidlerjr]

Here's the size rubber plugs that are supposed to fit. There are 10 holes each side on my Crew cab.
Black Rubber Plugs

They do fit. I installed them a couple of months ago.

 

[paval3]

They do fit. I installed them a couple of months ago.

I see the manufacturer offers the size in either plastic or rubber.... I ordered the rubber.

 

[paval3]

I sprayed fluid film all up in the holes before plugging. As said there are still drain holes but on inner side. That Phil guy on here that is a Ford tech or whatever said the holes are for the robotics when assembling vehicle. There are many items left off the 2021’s.

Did you have to use one of those flexible extension wands (looks like a flexible tubing) for aerosol cans or just the little short red stick that comes with the aerosol can? I see you can buy the extension wand separate on Amazon.... I have it in my shopping cart but haven't clicked check out yet.

 

[onobeka]

I spray boiled linseed oil in the frame and outside the frame, mixed with diesel and black hammerite every two years. So far rust is as much as possible prohibited. Ford did a sloppy job anyway. I use a flexible air line hose attached to a sand blasting air can, not perfect, yet it gets the job done. I avoid the exhaust, electrical connections and rubber items. Then I spray pure blo also on rubber items. So far so good! It’s old school yet good school.

 

[JalanX]

Did you have to use one of those flexible extension wands (looks like a flexible tubing) for aerosol cans or just the little short red stick that comes with the aerosol can? I see you can buy the extension wand separate on Amazon.... I have it in my shopping cart but haven't clicked check out yet.

I have been using fluid film on other vehicles and I just get the cans and the ones I order always come with the flexible tube wand. I mostly use the red stick but I’ll use the wand once in a while. Just gets messy after first use.

 

[JalanX]

There is a thread on here already on this topic(with pics)and it was discussed best way to flush out the holes if you have been through a winter or just want to do it. Was some good ideas. The thread is under rocker panels or something. I commented on that thread too if I remember correctly.

also: on the older thread about this they listed the Ford part number for the plugs. They were a lot more expensive then what we all got on amazon. And hard to find available.

 

[slm]

Has anyone ever contacted Ford or a dealer about this? I would hope someone there would know why these were plugged and now unplugged.

I tried - I emailed Ford Canada customer service with questions and feedback. I finally got a response that said there's no recall for that particular issue. So hard to get in contact with someone knowledgeable that can speak to enthusiast's like us and provide clear info

 

[towpro]

If you look at how the body is put together you will see drains build into where the rocker panel and floor are spot welded together. I put plugs in my holes, then realized you can see them standing near the sides of the truck so I took them out and painted them white, and reinstalled.

I do think the holes are used by the fixture that lifts the cab in the assembly line as my cab rockers are bent a little right at some of these holes where I guess the fixture lifted the cab.

 

[paval3]

If you look at how the body is put together you will see drains build into where the rocker panel and floor are spot welded together. I put plugs in my holes, then realized you can see them standing near the sides of the truck so I took them out and painted them white, and reinstalled.

I do think the holes are used by the fixture that lifts the cab in the assembly line as my cab rockers are bent a little right at some of these holes where I guess the fixture lifted the cab.

Oh good idea on the paint. I have some Cactus Grey touch up paint. Since the plugs were so cheap, I ended up ordering the rubber ones and also the plastic ones. I figured the rubber ones would be easier for me to put in, but I would bet the plastic ones would take the paint better.

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