2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rust in front fender under running board

[SGevers]

I took my molded running boards off that run front to back off to see what I got. Found a lot of little rust bubbles around the bolts that hold them on and a 2-3" rust hole at the rear of the left front fender on bottom. The hole was there because the drain was plugged and filled with dirt/mud/salt. I patched that panel cleaned and touched up all paint myself. Fortunatly all the work is hidden by the runng boards. If you got fender flares or these full running boards it dosent hurt to take them off and take a looksie. Other than the drivers door my 99 is in pretty good shape.

 

[DSeamans]

Rust

Anything that attaches to body panels and isn't 100% sealed will cause rust. Especially here in the salt belt, sand and grit and salt gets in between the two. It sands through the paint and you have rust! I'm redoing mine because of the rust and I can't believe how bad it is for an 01.