Rocker Panel Paint Chips Galore
- Thread starter Nology
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cl4Rk
Member
I think it’s pretty normal if it lived its life without running boards, especially if it lived on a dirt or gravel road.
EDIT: I hear the pings and pops of little rocks all the time since taking off my running boards, even on nice paved roads. It’s enough to make me consider putting them back on simply for the paint protection they seem to provide. (My height is such that the running boards just get in my way and make my pants dirty — I don’t use them to get in or out of the truck.)
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Twisted Sid
Member
Front mud flaps will stop that from happening as much. I used some from a ranger and they fit pretty well
Nology
New member
The rockers are only there because this is the third winter this truck has seen. This year was its first getting Krown rust treatment. I've got the OEM mud flaps but the factory tire size still sticks out quite a bit. I'm just shocked it's this bad after only a couple thousand miles in the snow (previous owners barely drove it in the winter when they moved here).
Too Stroked
Member
Unfortunately, what you're seeing is quite normal. As much as I hate running boards, I've had them on my last 3 trucks to prevent that very type of damage. Mud flaps will help somewhat, but you'll find that in order to make them really work, they have to hang so low as to drag on everything.
Kanoe
New member
That's what happens. If you happen to drive dirt or gravel much it's like a sandblaster. Front mud flaps will only protect back towards where the doors meet even if they are fairly long. Personally I'd only consider removing running boards if I drove summer pavement only but we all have our own opinions about running boards.
I actually made a replacement set of running boards that sit on top the factory brackets, so they appear 1 1/2 inches or so higher than the factory boards. They are there primarily for paint protection as sometimes we drive a lot of gravel. Last summer near a thousand KMs of gravel in one trip.
I actually made a replacement set of running boards that sit on top the factory brackets, so they appear 1 1/2 inches or so higher than the factory boards. They are there primarily for paint protection as sometimes we drive a lot of gravel. Last summer near a thousand KMs of gravel in one trip.
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phattyduck
Elite Member
If you think that's bad, you should see the bottom of a rally car... Anything not protected basically just disappears.
-Charlie
-Charlie
Devbot
New member
That comes out pretty dang good. I've had this idea before for if/when it needs a touch up, glad to see it looks good in colors other than black
Removed the running boards from my 02 when I bought it a couple years back. After 2 years and 20K+ miles I noticed the same thing, lots of paint chips and constant popping from the rocks kicking up.
Not thrilled with the idea but may have to rethink the decision to remove and reinstall them sooner than later.
I found them really annoying when entering/exiting, looks better without them as well.
Not thrilled with the idea but may have to rethink the decision to remove and reinstall them sooner than later.
I found them really annoying when entering/exiting, looks better without them as well.
One day I want to use Rhino Liner or similar up to the bottom of the doors and on the thresholds if I ever have the time. It didn't occur to me about color matching it like that Tacoma, would look good I reckon. Make sure you keep the weep holes clear on the pinch weld or it rusts out from inside.
Excellent point about the weep holes. That Rhino Liner won’t do any good if the rocker continues to rust from the inside which is typically what happens.
