Just wanted to get a quick opinion from you guys on this. I have a 2001 Extended Cab that I recently noticed is developing some rust only on the passenger's door panel. Specifically, if you open the door and look all the way at the bottom (inside panel), you'll see where they folded the sheet metal and welded it. Also in this location, it appears they have left several drain holes. All along this weld, as well as within the drain holes, I see red rust beginning to streak.

I purchased some rust eater primer and was going to wire brush the panel and apply the primer but got worried that I would only be addressing the superficial aspect of this problem. Should I take the truck in to a body shop and let them work it over? Is this type of problem common with 2001 trucks?

Thanks for the advice!

 

I have the same problem but mine is worse on the driver's side. I've been wondering the same thing so I'm excited to see if anyone has ideas.

 

I Just currently fixed all the rust on my 1999 ford f 150 ext cab xlt. the rocker panels were really soft and all the doors were starting to rust on the inside. to fix all the rust i had to take the box, all four doors, both front fenders, front grill n all the lights. It was alot of work

 

Not sure why you would have to take the grill and fenders off but if it worked for you that is awesome. To answer your question yes it is common it took me about a month and a half to find a truck without any rust in the lower door panel. Then again I live in Michigan where there is salt on the ground for half the year. But anyway I just took the plastic bit of trim off the bottom of the doors and wired down all the rust to the bare metal. Then I taped off all the area around the doors including the other side of the door and the rocker panel up toward where the door connects to the cab. I sprayed it with two quick coats of primer. Then I hit it with 3M underbody spray. Did this back in august and I still dont have any rust on the doors. I would advise that when you take the plastic trim off that you are careful not to break the little christmas tree clips and if so go buy some new ones from lowes or home depot. You cant even tell because it goes on black and the plastic trim covers most of it up anyway.

 

you have to take the grill n lights out to get at the bolts of the fenders to take the doors off to fix the rust the "right" way. otherwise you are just slowing the rust down and your not solving anything

 

Ok just giving my .02 cents take it for what it is worth all I have to go off of is my results and so far my results are speaking for themselves.

 

02SCrew- You wanna fix the rust on my truck to, considering you probably live within a 25 mile radius of me? Haha

 

Ill give you a hand no problem