2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission '01 driver's side door rusting problem

[tmacc]

Well, as I was washing the truck the other day I noticed rust under the clear coat on the bottom of the driver's door. When I looked at the inside of the door in that area, I noticed quite a bit of rust where the outer panel wraps around the inner panel. Unfortunately, the truck has 130K and is out of warranty for rust My patience has just about run out on this truck. Between the front brakes, FP, front end parts, and now rust, I'm VERY disappointed in this vehicle. The Cummins might be the best engine ever built, but if it's in a POC truck, what good is it? I'll have to think long and hard before I buy a new Dodge... ... ... Yes, I'm venting right now, but this is a work truck that I drive 35-40K a year. I can't believe how much time I've spent work on the d*mn thing. I'm not talking about the BOMBing, that's the fun stuff. I like the new trucks, but... ... ... ... ... .





Edit: I meant to post this in the 2gen forum. Mod: Move it if you want to.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

No Prob



This was just recently discussed however I am not sure what keywords to use for a search other than Rust Door. It all in a sense has to do with the weep holes or "Slots" In the bottom of the door skins. The are small and debris can clog them easily. There are guys that have sanded the area and used a rust converter type liquid and widened the holes and called it christmas. Some just went out and bought doors , some did the official repair and have moved on. Yes as unfortunate as it may seem that the product wrapped arround the cummins is lackluster in quality ..... the motor makes up for that.

 

[Mr.Goat]

When I had my 95 it was rust free for about 3yrs. Then one spring I discovered exactly the same problem your having with the drivers door. I figured the bill was on me so I took it in to get it fixed. The body shop guy said DC was having problems with the doors and I should take it to the dealer. I did. They never gave me one word of arguement. They replaced the whole door. Never cost me a cent.

I know for a fact they replaced alot of door's on truck's in my area. Whether or not this DC program is still in effect for your truck I do not know, but you have nothing to loose by asking.



Pete

 

[tmacc]

Yup, 3. 5 years. I just found out the same thing this afternoon from my body shop guy. I'll check w/ the dealer next week. I was told it may take a hard stand to get it, but it has been done even when out of rust warranty.

 

[Idaho Native]

out of warranty?

tmacc,



Had a similar problem with my '99... it had a 5yr/Unlimited mileage outer panel rust warranty... replaced the entire driver door and the passenger door skin under warranty. Doesn't your rig have the same warranty? Charged DC nearly $3200 for the work!



Loren

 

[tmacc]

Thanks, IN. I must have read the warranty book wrong. I thought it was a 3 yr warraty. I'll check it again.

 

[Shelton]

Have the same problem on my driver's side door. Took it to the dealer to check even though it had about 110,000 miles at the time. My warranty book says 5 years/100,000 miles on rust. They said no go, and that I could try Chrysler customer support. I guess I didn't know the right magic words so that was a dead end also.



The dealer I took it to agreed that it was simply wrong that this problem should exist, but said DC had made it clear to them that when the numbers on the warranty are out, they're out. Maybe other dealers have more pull, but previously this one did get DC to cover the repairs for my hood, windshield, and related items when both hood latches failed coming across I-70 a couple of years ago.

 

[dresslered]

Just as a precautionary measure, several of us have popped out the plastic drain plugs on the bottom of the door as well... . well, I haven't yet but plan to.

 

[tmacc]

My warranty booklet says 5yrs/100K, so that deals me out.

 

[Ramafid]

Sorry to hear about the rust problems Tom. I need to check my doors again. I know I have rust spots in several locations under the truck that should have no rust. For the 21st century DC does a poor job of rust-proofing.

 

[Neibe]

Yep my truck had rust and DC replaced both doors out of warrenty. That was a few years ago and no rust since.

 

[DOUGMartin]

I too was washing my truck the other day and at the bottum edge of the drivers door i foung cancer. Hopfully the dealer will work with me other wise its off to cemo.

 

[y-knot]

Fortunately my '97 has no rust, but I always wipe the inside door area and the door sills and surrounding area. There seems to be alot of dirt and moisture that is thrown up by the front tires in that area. Every time I wash the truck I clean it off and there is always a build up of gunk there. I could see why it would be a problem, especially in wet or snowy areas. Sorry to hear about your rust problems, most wouldn't expect that from a '01. Only advice would be to watch those areas and clean when necessary. From your tone, I don't think you would be to interested in having the body shop guy fix it. Since the truck has been such a disappointment, why not trade it off before the rust becomes a bigger and ugly problem. Then you would be free to get which ever brand you choose. I'm not a huge Dodge fan myself, I think they relaxed on some of their standards, and have depended on goofy guy's like us to keep sales up by buying their truck for the Cummins. I think the best thing that could ever happen to both Ford and Dodge, would be for Ford to start offering the Cummins. Ford would finally have the dependable diesel engine they need, and Dodge would have to step-up there program to stay competitive.

 

[Extreme1]

I had the doors patched on my '94 when it was 5 years old, the repair is holding up better than the original steel! Mine was out of warrantee for milage.



Another good one (on the '94-97's) is the heater control knobs that break every 2 years.

Originally posted by y-knot

I think the best thing that could ever happen to both Ford and Dodge, would be for Ford to start offering the Cummins. Ford would finally have the dependable diesel engine they need, and Dodge would have to step-up there program to stay competitive.

If Ford put the Cummins in its trucks, I'd have a crew cab (a real crew cab) with straight axle leaf spring front end (no trac-bar!).

 

[tmacc]

Yeah, I'm down w/ a Cummins in a Ford Super Duty. Seems like all the US mfr have their problems one way or the other. I hate to see all of the guys upset w/ the fuel milage in the new '600' trucks, but w/ a contractor's cap, auto, and 4. 10s, I rarely see over 14. 5-15 MPH anyway. OK Getting off track here. My body shop guy said that it would run $800 buck for a new door. I was kind of hoping I could run this truck for a while w/o any payments, but w/ a year and a half to go and the kind of repair bills I'm starting to see, I might as well get a new one and resign myself to the fact that payments are a fact of life. At least it's a deductable business expence.

 

[JWRowe]

New doors

Good evening,

I just had both of my doors done under warranty. My 96 only has 57K on it but I discovered the rust on the doors just 2 weeks before the 7/70,000 rust through warranty ran out. Took it to the local Dodge dealer and they replaced both doors, all the trim, painted etc. All done at the body shop I would have used. Had some other touch up done as well. Have to look good for Alaska this year.

Door on the drivers side was the worst but still not too bad. I have the doors as the dealer did not want them for any reason. Anyone need two Club Cab doors I can make them a good deal.



Regards, John

 

[y-knot]

Payments are only a fact of life if you let them be a fact of life. There is nothing better then a truck that is paid for. Given in to the pressure of keeping up with others, or just repeating the cycle of never paying one off is just what the Auto Manufactures would like you to do. You will never "Get ahead" of the game if you feel as though you are destined to always make payments. After all, why pay the extra 5-6,000 bucks for the Cummins? The whole reasoning behind it is economy(which is marginal at best), and longevity. Everyone wants to tout about their big Cummins and how good it is, but very, very few on these forums ever keep one long enough to find out. Truthfully, if you guy's are going to change trucks every model change, or problem, you would be better to go with the gas engine. Save the 5-6 grand, there is no way anyone like that could ever recover the diesels initle cost, and you sure don't need to worry about engine life.



The piter patter of little old men's feet running to the dealer with every model change is deafening, you are suppose to get wiser with age, not more vain.

 

[tmacc]

Originally posted by y-knot

There is nothing better then a truck that is paid for. ]



I couldn't agree more and of the last six vehicles I've owned before the '01, I kept all but one for 2-4 years after they were paid off. But... when a truck is used for business, the hassles, not to mention the expense of the repairs comes into the criteria. If I have to miss a day of work or rent a vehicle to get myself and tools to the job, it become a PITA. Often I can plan around repairs(spend the day doing paperwork), but when repairs or breakdown happen at an inconveinent time and it happens often enough,well... ... (BTW once is too often. Maybe an un-realistic expectation, but... )





[y-not

After all, why pay the extra 5-6,000 bucks for the Cummins? The whole reasoning behind it is economy(which is marginal at best), and longevity. ]





I have ask that question myself lately. However, I drove 40,320 miles last year, about 10-15% above normal for me. I'm not sure what the new gasoline trucks get for milage (w/ the set-up I have), but the last gasoline ford I had got 10 MPG. A friend of mine w/ a 3 yr old chevy van gets about 9 MPH. I get abot 14-15 MPH. That's about a $17-1800 difference in fuel purchases. I think after 3. 5 years the diesel has paid for itself.







[y-not

The piter patter of little old men's feet running to the dealer with every model change is deafening, you are suppose to get wiser with age, not more vain.

I know your reply was not directed to me personally, but when we look at the vastly difference reasons that members of TDR bought their trucks, it's hard for me to read the above statement and not feel that it could have been deleted before you hit the send button. From your signature, you obviously enjoy your truck. There is a little vanity in all of us,no? You made some very good points in your reply and probably some folks should take note, but if a member wants to buy a new truck because he likes the new style, that's his choice.

I'm glad your '97 has treated you right and one of the reasons I bought my '01 was to run it a long time, however it is starting to become a problem. I'm not in a hurry to replace it, but it will happen w/i the next few months.

Cheers

Tom



Edit: HMMMMM I don't seem to have the quote thing figure out, but I think you guys can read it.