Plugs or Tape?

[crabjoe]

I rememeber a while back where some '03s had tape in place of the plugs for the drains (can't remember if it was floor or somewhere on the frame). Has anyone checked their '04 truck to make sure that the plugs were there?



For those that know where to look, can you tell us where these holes are so that we can check to make sure that we have plugs and not tape?



TIA

 

[RichMorris]

I have tape on the underside of the sills on both sides. Someone posted a while ago that the factory must have run out of plugs and he was able to talk the dealer into properly supply him with the plugs.

 

[Rosco]

My new '04 has the tape. However, I will be getting the plugs from the dealer.

 

[Boonieman]

I remember seeing plugs when I was changing oil. These were in the floorboards front and back, and if I remember right there were a couple on each side... . but don't quote me. All I know is that they were plugs, not tape. Can't tell you about the sills, but I'm curious now and will look the next time I'm under it. Mine was assembled in Mexico and is also painted/undercoated underneath.

 

[lschultz]

My 03 had the plugs but this 04 has the tape. I will complain to my dealer and get the plugs. I doubt that this makes any difference but my 03 was a 2500 and the 04 is a 3500.

 

[crabjoe]

So where are the plugs missing, sills, floor or both?





TIA!!

 

[Ladders]

Sills or the back side of the rocker panels. About 6-8 holes on each side from the front of the door to the rear of the doors on the QC would guess that there are about 1/2 of that on the reg cab(s). Mine are tape and doesnt really matter to me as the Nerf bars use the front and back ones for bracing. The tape "fits" better over the mounts, but it is a cost cut just like the lite pkg and other "small" items w/BIG price. Black duct tape is cheaper than rubber.



SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[jadoca]

both for me. i discovered this while installing the putco bars on my o4. the instructions said to remove rubber plugs. i thought the tape seemed to be a little odd. after reading this thread i spoke with the dealer and parts ordered me the plugs, no charge.



regards,

 

[nkiewel]

Originally posted by Rich Morris

I have tape on the underside of the sills on both sides. Someone posted a while ago that the factory must have run out of plugs and he was able to talk the dealer into properly supply him with the plugs.

My dealer replaced the tape with plugs because it shows plugs in the manual. No charge for warranty work. It took 3-4 weeks for them to find enough plugs to replace all of the tape.

 

[nickleinonen]

i just crawled under the truck today and i have tape i didn't want to go back to the dealer, but i may for this... i want them plugs, not tape...

My dealer replaced the tape with plugs because it shows plugs in the manual. No charge for warranty work. It took 3-4 weeks for them to find enough plugs to replace all of the tape.

in which manual does it show the plugs instead of tape? i flipped through the downloaded service manual and i could find nothing. i know my running board instruction book shows plugs, but i want to have everything prepared so they can't argue that's how it is...

 

[MO'Donnell]

I have the tape on my '03. The plugs are going in this weekend, figured I better get them before the salt flies! It did take the dealer 2+ weeks to get all the plugs (16 for a quad cab). Seems like most trucks built during/after May '03 got the tape, but I have heard of no dealer refusing to provide the proper plugs for free. There is a post with the correct part # somewhere out here... .

 

[sluper]

My 04 has tape, I checked after reading here, my dealer is looking for the plugs to replace the tape. Mine also was 1 quart low on the rear end fluid, checked @ the dealership before I drove it. Thanks for all the "GOOD" information from all the TDR owners. If the 04 is as good as the 96 this one will be with me a long time, lovin' the 4 doors.

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by MO'Donnell

Seems like most trucks built during/after May '03 got the tape, but I have heard of no dealer refusing to provide the proper plugs for free.

If we're talking about the circular and oval cutouts (filled with clipped plugs) that are on the underside of the truck I have the plugs. My truck was built down in Mexico in May.



The radio shop that trimmed out my CB antenna wanted to use those cutouts to run the coax into the cab. They thought I was nuts to want to run it through the firewall, but after I asked them how long they would warranty their work against rust they gave up and did it my way--running it through a hole drilled into the clutch linkage plug in the firewall.

 

[DLeno]

just a thought and a question for you guys who have replaced tape with rubber plugs. I inspected my 04 and saw the tape, but it occured to me that the tape makes a pretty good seal. do the rubber plugs also seal well?



also someone please re-post the part number

 

[crabjoe]

Here's the part number.



CH4860953-AA PLUG DRAIN

 

[DLeno]

awesome. thanks!



what I don't get is why these are called drain plugs. they're on the side of a panel and nothing can drain out of those holes without an awful lot of water being in there. or am I missing something?

 

[curatchko]

Originally posted by DLeno

just a thought and a question for you guys who have replaced tape with rubber plugs. I inspected my 04 and saw the tape, but it occured to me that the tape makes a pretty good seal. do the rubber plugs also seal well?



also someone please re-post the part number

I would agree... . salt/water will get between the plugs and metal, where the tape will seal. I've seen the tape on other vehicles and it has lasted for years... . I'll stick with tape.

 

[MO'Donnell]

When I got around to replacing my tape with the plugs (at about 5 months old ) The tape was starting to peel at the corners and came off with little problem.

 

[lschultz]

Had call from the parts department several days ago and said the plugs they ordered for mine came in. Have not got over there to get them yet.

 

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by crabjoe

Here's the part number.



CH4860953-AA PLUG DRAIN

so this is the part number for the plugs... i don't quite get why they are called drain plugs, but ok... i will have to stop by my dealer to have them get me some [unless they are dirt cheap, then i will buy them and install them myself - i don't trust them minimum wage monkeys they have moving vehicles around]