Holes in your Ranger rocker panels?

[Tom_C]

In regard to panels: the dies that stamp parts start to wear...

Oh, you forgot 6 tie down vs 4....

Yeah, you're right. I have to buy 2 tie downs. Damnit. I just ordered some bolts and alternative tie downs from Amazon.

Added: And, yeah, there's a bit of air noise I haven't tried to find yet, but may be the rear door seal.

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[TuggerNutz]

Yup, I got a holey roller too. 2021.

Tip: You can use your phone in selfie mode to check. Or a mirror for you boomers. ?

 

[ParkerAzJeff]

I didn't want to bend my old tired self down so I sent my 10 YO grand daughter out to look and she reported back. "Plugged and painted holes, same beautiful Saber color as the rest of it". 2019 XLT

 

[ksuds49]

2021 Tremor…no plugs

 

[Frio]

While I ordered the plugs @Ranger2021 linked to above, also couldn't resist modeling it up for printing. So for anyone that wants to print some plugs, attached is the STL. TPU is the material of choice since I doubt this design would fit using a stiffer material (didn't try). Plus TPU will easily conform to any minor contour.

 

[got3fords]

I bought some body plugs on ebay for 8 bucks, easier than dealing with the dealer.

Did they fit well? Can you provide a link? Thanks!

 

[Trigganometry]

Did they fit well? Can you provide a link? Thanks!

Go back in the thread. He dropped a link for them

 

[alan0614]

2019 Lariat, holes plugged and painted

 

[Ranger2021]

Did they fit well? Can you provide a link? Thanks!

I just ordered them yesterday so did not receive them yet.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324020729996?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

[TechnicallyReal]

I've had first-year redesigns 3 times now and I regretted it with the last 2 vehicles (Hyundai & KIA where kinks were worked out and features were added in year 2+), but on my Ranger I'm finding myself happier and happier about not waiting for year 2+. My rear headrests fold. I have proximity entry on all 4 doors. Plus all this other stuff that people are finding as the years drag on.

 

[AzScorpion]

I've had first-year redesigns 3 times now and I regretted it with the last 2 vehicles (Hyundai & KIA where kinks were worked out and features were added in year 2+), but on my Ranger I'm finding myself happier and happier about not waiting for year 2+. My rear headrests fold. I have proximity entry on all 4 doors. Plus all this other stuff that people are finding as the years drag on.

I'm the same, I've had first year models with cars, motorcycles and snowmobiles and have always regretted it. One thing though is the Ranger really wasn't a total redesign because it was copied from the ROTW Rangers just adding a motor and tranny that were already in use. Now the next Gen Ranger will be a total redesign and as much as I'd like one I would at least wait until the mid year point to purchase.

 

[ksuds49]

So with all the interest this has drawn, do we actually know this is an issue? Will not having those plugged cause damage? Will plugging them just let moisture/debris in from somewhere else and get trapped inside?

 

[HenryMac]

So with all the interest this has drawn, do we actually know this is an issue? Will not having those plugged cause damage? Will plugging them just let moisture/debris in from somewhere else and get trapped inside?

Go out and look at your truck. The rocker panels aren't open, they are boxed in.

The uncovered holes are right in line with the front tires, which will sling salt, mag chloride, mud, water, ice and snow into the rocker panels. So all that crude will just lay inside there, eating away at the steel. And the open painted holes will get chipped from rocks, and then the edges of the holes will start to rust.

... or another way to think about it... if it was ok to leave the holes open, why did Ford plug them for 2 years for no reason?

 

[Motorpsychology]

Just checked and my 2021 crew has a row of holes just like the OP's.

Same here on my Scab. No plugs. Steel rockers, too; confirmed with a magnet.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Cost cutting measures! Think of how many plugs that’s saving them. Somebody got a bonus… ?

They'll put the savings aside for the 5/60K rust through warranty repairs, and/ or class action suit.

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