2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rust and Door plugs

[Pit Bull]

Just wondering how many of you have the rubber plugs in the bottom of your doors removed? They were all four in place on my 2000 and on my 2002 just the front one in both doors have been removed, the rear one in both doors are still in place. On another thread it was mentioned that all plugs should be removed permanently to help eliminate the possibility of rust. It just seems like you will get a lot of dust and crap inside the door with them all removed. If you get a chance please check and post what the condition of your plugs are? (none removed, just the fronts removed, all four removed)



Thanks

 

[Bill Lins]

All plugs in place- no rust. Of course, we use sand on icy roads instead of salt or mag chloride.

 

[stew]

Well, ya know...



In the old days,

The plugs got removed only long enough to spray used motor oil up in there saturating the inside walls of the door panels, rocker panels and such... This was done twice a year back then... It really did keep the rust out of those area's for many years... Plugs left in of course, between oiling's...



Ya know, we just don't have as much time to care for our vehicles as did years ago...



Now, they use fertilizers on grass and also water it, SO you have to cut it...

Back in the old days when it burned out for the summer we went to the beach !!!



Crazy yuppies...



I would not remove any plugs permanently...



Stew

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by stew

Well, ya know...



In the old days,

The plugs got removed only long enough to spray used motor oil up in there saturating the inside walls of the door panels, rocker panels and such... This was done twice a year back then... It really did keep the rust out of those area's for many years... Plugs left in of course, between oiling's...



Ya know, we just don't have as much time to care for our vehicles as did years ago...



Now, they use fertilizers on grass and also water it, SO you have to cut it...

Back in the old days when it burned out for the summer we went to the beach !!!



Crazy yuppies...



I would not remove any plugs permanently...



Stew

Stew does this mean your truck was delivered with the plugs in place?

 

[willyslover]

mine are in... but thinking that the oil is a good helper... but I also live in snow and the dust from the sanded roads would be a nightmare to keep clean. . so maybe I'll pull oil and replace. .



the sure thing is we do have water traps on our style doors that will lead to rust outs...

 

[stew]

"Stew, does this mean your truck was delivered with the plugs in place?"





My fronts are removed and with the forward lean to these trucks stock I would think it's for drainage.



I confirmed my thoughts this morning... With snow and sleet coming down the last two days I checked the fronts that are open and icicles have formed at the holes due to weeping water...





Stew

 

[HEMI®Dart]

No plugs in place. Picture is passenger side door bottom. Drivers side door replaced under warranty due to rust thru in '97.



#ad

 

[rwitt]

My doors only have one plug installed in each door (rear).

Rich

 

[NETim]

Only have plugs on the rear of both doors on my '02.



Tim

 

[diesel DOG]

I sprayed 3M rust preventative in the truck the first day it's made for that purpose and is always flexible. I did every where under the truck in all concealed panels.

 

[Pit Bull]

Looks like all of the 02's come with the front plug removed. Stew's comment makes a lot of sense about the front end lower than the rear. I think I will spray some WD40 in the hole for the heck of it

 

[tree truckr]

Isn`t that gonna oil your speakers too???

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

All bottom plugs removed on my '98 (I removed em, they were all in place when I got the truck). 4 salty Michigan winters later - no rust at all.

 

[Steve Campbell]

what he said.....?????

tree truckr wrote..... "Isn`t that gonna oil your speakers too???"

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by tree truckr

Isn`t that gonna oil your speakers too???

Your right I think I am leaving it like it is and not spraying anythng in the holes. If it rusts in the next 5 years DC can hang some new doors

 

[turboduck]

Dealer just replaced my driver door due to rust thru at 82k

plugs were never in they said it had a low spot in the center

of door between the holes. There only comment was when can you bring it in. Always great service at my dealer, but I have to drive 50 miles and pass 4 other dealers to get it. But thats ok

because it keep's my blood pressure down.

 

[wlowe]

Has anybody out there ever used "3M Rust Fighter", (below)? If so, how did you like it? Was it thin enough to seep into a door panel crimp?



http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/...us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html

 

[Scooby]

I've got an '01 and all four of my plugs are in place. (I bought it in California)