Tape no Plugs??

[PJ]

Anyone know what the issue is with Chrysler regarding the policy of replacing the tape in the rockers with body plugs? I see that there has been alot of talk about it here and I would like to know if the dealer is obligated to replace with the plugs at their cost or do I need to get my check book out? Is this a recall issue? Wondering if this was place to import white powder from South America. Why the holes in the first place. Any help would be great. I plan to visit my dealer soon and would like this taken care of at their expence. I have the 7/100,000 zero deduct warranty FINALLY. I feel that this is a missing part from the factory and will, if left alone, will cause body rust. I plan to keep this truck quite a long time.

 

[rbattelle]

The holes are there to allow rust preventative coatings to be applied inside the rocker panels without the need for drilling holes. They also allow moisture a way to vent out. I happen to have rubber plugs throughout, instead of the tape many are now reporting. I have removed them on 2 occasions now in order to spray the internal passages with some WD-40.



Alas, much like the "we'll give you a block heater, but no cord for it" policy, I fear the use of tape in place of rubber plugs is a cost-savings measure rather than a defect from the factory. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[JLehman]

Yeh, my 03 had plugs, but my new 04 just has tape. Nother trip to the dealer!!!

 

[Rosco]

My two previous 03's had plugs but my '04 has tape. I had the dealer order me the plugs and I have them sitting in the garage.



FWIW, I feel that the tape probably seals out moisture and crud better than the plugs so I am going to leave it in place until it starts to peel.

 

[nickleinonen]

I fear the use of tape in place of rubber plugs is a cost-savings measure rather than a defect from the factory. I hope I'm wrong

my dealer has the plugs on order [still... ] for me. last time i checked one was in out of 16 ordered...



before they would order them for me, they ran my vin through their parts system to see if they are suppose to be there from the factory, and they are. i have the print out in the center console in my truck. they are suppose to be there... but they are hard to get... [i have had them or order since mid november]

 

[crabjoe]

When I picked up my truck, I had the dealer order the plugs under warrenty. It took 3 days for them to come in, but I havn't installed them yet. I'll be doing it in the spring when the weather warms a little.

 

[artie]

My 2004 arrive in October and it was missing the plugs also. I told the salesman and the plugs got ordered no problem. I needed to that the truck in a couple weeks later so the MOPAR cover could be replaced as a new one was ordered when the installer found the underside damaged during shipping. The tech replaced the cover and also installed the 16 plugs while I waited.

 

[rbattelle]

Maybe it's a corporate trick they're pulling. They figure they'll put tape on, then offer free plugs to anyone who asks for them. The key is "anyone who asks". I'd bet fewer than 5% of owners ever notice the tape, and even fewer know they should get rubber plugs.

 

[EdsGarage]

I have the tape also. When I went to the dealer, his response was that they all have tape.



The '04's were in and they all had tape. Two weeks prior, I looked on the same lot and some of the '03's had plugs.



There went my argument...

 

[StephenThomas]

Mine has tape

 

[sfr1047]

Plugs

Even if all the 04s come with tape I think they should have the plugs. If not why is there a part # for them. Myself and alot of others have had the plugs ordered and installed by the dealer under warranty. I would try another dealer if yours won`t cooperate.

Part # is CH4860953-AA Plug Drain

 

[MO'Donnell]

Mine had tape (build date 05/21/03), and the dealer ordered the plugs no questions asked. When I finally got around to installing the plugs in October, the tape was already beginning to peel. It did take about 3 weeks for all 16 plugs to come in.

 

[PJ]

ttt

 

[coobie]

Tape & plugs

I also had the Tape,on my 2004 ram 2500. my was made 11/13/03. I called the dealer,he ordered the plugs,16 total. No cost to me. I installed them myself,easy 10-15 minute job. coobie

 

[RodneyNichols]

this might be a stupid question but where do I look for tape or plugs?



thanks

Rod

 

[sfr1047]

Plug location

The plugs go along the area of the doors underneath on a verticle body panel. You can reach from the outside up under and feel the area. There are 8 on each side.

 

[PJ]

I was just informed by my dealer that the 04 didnt come with them. Sounds like an excuse to not order them. I need to find out who at DC I need to call in regard to this matter. I was told that the tape is a better way of "venting" the rockers. Sounds rather fishy to me. .

 

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by PBJohnson2

I was just informed by my dealer that the 04 didnt come with them. Sounds like an excuse to not order them. I need to find out who at DC I need to call in regard to this matter. I was told that the tape is a better way of "venting" the rockers. Sounds rather fishy to me. .

go to your dealers parts desk, give them your vin number and have them look up the parts. the section they are in in their computerized parts catalog SDR - Body Sheet Metal Except Doors - 320 - Plugs, Quad Cab. they are item #3 on the graphic, PLUG drain. part number 04860953AA and 16 pieces are needed. i am going to scan the graphic and list the dealer printed out for me so you can see it. they are suppose to be there...



***edit***



link to graphic on my webshots site

link to text on my webshots site

 

[JEly]

Well I went out and checked my truck today and I also had tape so I went to the dealer and ask them about it and they said if it has tape then that is what is supposed to be there... ... ... ... ... ..... I asked if they could check my vin and see if my truck was supposed to have them and the service guy had a bewildered look and said he couldnt.

I then went to the parts counter and ordered them... ... ... gave him the part number said I needed 16 of them... ... ... ... ... I asked if this number was correct and all he said was... ... ... It is not incorrect... ... So after $20. 59 later I was on my way

 

[Gypsyman]

Nick,



Thanks for the detailed info, its that kind of help that we all come here for!