Help with rocker panel install

[HomerDog]

I just got a set of diamond plate rocker panels from www.rjrproducts.com. The instructions are to fasten them with the supplied pop rivets and the instructions are vague at best as to where to put them and how many. I'm not too crazy about the idea of drilling so many holes into my truck. Is there any reason why I can't use 3M double sided tape? Anyone who has used this product I'd appreciate any feedback on the installation. Here is the link if interested



http://www.rjrproducts.com/rocker-MENU.html



Thanks,

Dave

 

[Blakers]

Dave, I don't think I would drill a good truck like that either. I think I would try using silicone to attach them. Get a bunch of caulking gun tubes of the clear. Make sure it's the good stuff and that you seal it in a manner where water can't get behind it. You'll have to tape them in place somehow while the silicone cures.



If you were doing a truck with beat up rocker panels, you could drill and rivet them. But I would use stainless rivets. Never use aluminum rivets as they will corrode due to dissimilar metals causing electrolysis.



Blake

 

[John]

The reason pop rivets are suggested (aside from the obvious) is becuse the aluminum diamond plate panels don't usually follow the contour of the vehicle panels all that well. The pop rivets allow some extra muscle to pull the diamond plate panels into or next to the body panels as required. Another alternative I've seen to the pop rivets is the use of stainless steel sheet metal screws (various heads are available to suit your specific tastes) if that "grips" you. (pun intended)



My personal favorite is:



purchase those trick polished stainless steel, customized rocker panels from Jason Burton of NW Custom. And just like Burger King, you can have it your way.

 

[TomGolden]

Here are a couple pictures of my set of polished stainless steel Cummins Power rocker panels from Jason Burton of Northwest Custom, as John mentioned above.



They stick on with I'm guessing the 3M type double sided tape. As was previously mentioned, there are a few small areas where the panels don't quite conform perfectly to the truck body, but they are hardly noticeable unless you purposefully look for them.



They have been on since September 2001, gone through a couple serious snowy hunting trips, have not shown the slightest sign of the tape loosening or any other problems.



Tom

 

[TomGolden]

Another view...

 

[TomGolden]

One more...

 

[americana]

here's what i came up with

i bought the ici diamond plate rocker covers. i like the way rjr goes unerneath the door in that "taint" region, but they don't go high enough (up to the body trim line) for me.



i refuse to drill holes in my truck. after a few e-mails back and forth with the good people at 3M i came up with this. Automotive acrylic plus attachment tape. part no. 051131 model 06383 (ask for this number at your local automotive paint supply, NAPA also has this). it is 7/8in wide and . 045in thick and 20yd long. i've got a long bed and hope two will do the job.



i bought the rocker panels two years ago and just bought the tape. first ran low on money and now am running low on time (and money). haven't attached them yet, but hope to in the next couple of weeks. i attached the body side moulding and it came stock with similar tape, only it was only about an 1/8in wide. i'm thinking this is going to do the trick.



if you can wait i'll let you know how it goes. i live in californicated (democrats got us almost $40 billion with a B in debt) and don't really have to worry about rust, but punching holes in my truck makes my skin crawl.....

 

[Sticks]

Re: here's what i came up with

Originally posted by americana

I live in californicated (democrats got us almost $40 billion with a B in debt)

Somebody watched "The Pentagon Wars"



You have to ask yourself, "Am I ever going to take these things off?" No matter what you do, silicone, various tape, etc, after a couple of years installed, there is going to be paint fading, and wear marks, not to mention that some silicone adhesives eat/corrode paint. Were it me, I would use the stainless rivets. Pre drill the rocker panels, put a ball of sealant on the back at each hole, press the panel into position, and then drill the body, using another little dab of sealant on the rivet.

 

[John]

Point Of Clarification

Tom,



Yes, the NW Custom rocker panels use 3M adhesive on 100% of the attachment side of each rocker panel section.



And no, I wasn't referring to NW Custom rocker panels when I said they didn't mirror the contours of the body too well. I was referring to the aluminum diamond plate rocker panels instead. I have found that the stainless steel NW Custom rocker panels mirror the body of a Ram rather well. In contrast, I've never seen a set of aluminum diamond plate rocker panels fit very well at all (IMO of course).



BTW, your rocker panel theme is my favorite!



I have the cutouts to that (Cummins power) on my canopy back glass.



THanks Jason!

 

[Spooled-up]

3M -- Good Stuff.

I used 3M on my bed caps. That stuff is strong. I used the thin strips of body tape they sell at the auto parts stores and ran three strips down the whole length of the caps.



I would imagine you could find it in cut to fit wide rolls somewhere.



I wouldn't drill my truck for fear of the rivets corroding and starting some rot behind the panels. The 3M stuff would seal off any moisture that might get behind the panels.



Good luck.

 

[HomerDog]

Thanks for all of the good info. When I peeled all of the old rocker panels off the paint came with it. the new RJR diamond plate do not cover up to the trim line as mentioned before. I really want the diamond plate so I guess I'm off to the painter. I don't like using pop rivets. I'm going to go with some nice stainless steel screws as mentioned earlier. I'll let you all know how the project goes--so far it's been a PITA! It's easy to remove the old rockers and molding, but its hard to clean the stuff left behind. Thanks,



Dave