Jump to content

Rocker Panel, extra protection Y or N?

GulfTango

Recommended Posts

GulfTango Enthusiast

GulfTango

Posted
Posted

Bought a Victory Red 2015 Silverado 2LT Z71 last week and was debating on whether or not to put some rocker panel protection.Today when I looked underneath to see how easy it would be to install my Raptor step bar I noticed that the rocker panels already have an orange peel texture to them like they painted them differently. Is this a standard feature? I am doing everything in matte black accents and was going to put matte black vinyl there to add a layer of protection against small chips...just trying to figure out if I need to spend the money or not.

 

Considered doing line-x down there, but they want $800 to do it...still an option, but can't bankroll it right now.

 

Thoughts?

POS VETT Enthusiast

POS VETT

Posted
Posted

I sprayed rubberized undercoating on the rocker panels to further resist paint chip. The coating is tough and energy absorbing to protect the paint. On a crew cab with a short bed, a minimum of one can is needed and I also sprayed the bottom part of the bed forward of the rear axle; 1.5-2 cans per side is better, but there is no need for over two. I use the 3M brand that's readily available at a typical auto parts store.

GulfTango Enthusiast

GulfTango

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I sprayed rubberized undercoating on the rocker panels to further resist paint chip. The coating is tough and energy absorbing to protect the paint. On a crew cab with a short bed, a minimum of one can is needed and I also sprayed the bottom part of the bed forward of the rear axle; 1.5-2 cans per side is better, but there is no need for over two. I use the 3M brand that's readily available at a typical auto parts store.

so basically the 3M equivalent of flex seal? Hadn't thought of that!

Lance455 Enthusiast

Lance455

Posted
Posted

When I had the bed lining done I also had them spray the rockers for more protection and a little different style to the truck.

 

 

 

 

 

post-135516-0-67253400-1429340975_thumb.jpg
post-135516-0-63241400-1429341516_thumb.jpg

post-135516-0-67253400-1429340975_thumb.jpg

post-135516-0-63241400-1429341516_thumb.jpg

post-135516-0-67253400-1429340975_thumb.jpg

post-135516-0-63241400-1429341516_thumb.jpg

post-135516-0-67253400-1429340975_thumb.jpg

post-135516-0-63241400-1429341516_thumb.jpg

jimlem Enthusiast

jimlem

Posted
Posted

When I had the bed lining done I also had them spray the rockers for more protection and a little different style to the truck.

 

 

 

 

 

I had this done with my liner on my '02 Silverado. I had them color match the rocker panels to the OEM paint. Looked great for years.

GulfTango Enthusiast

GulfTango

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yeah I have considered doing that. $1,500 is the quote I got to do bed liner and rockers.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jimlem Enthusiast

jimlem

Posted
Posted

That $1500 sounds about right. Just keep in mind that it literally lasts forever. No fading, no chipping. Pays for itself with the 1st the first brush with a gully or ditch.

tnchevy Senior Enthusiast

tnchevy

Posted
Posted

Just make sure you don't clog up any drain holes. My rocker panels on my 2002 rusted from the inside out so I had no clue till a hole the size of my fist showed up one day.

Spurshot Senior Enthusiast

Spurshot

Posted
Posted

Bedliner on the rockers up to the first body line would be a great way to go for trucks that see a lot of gravel/dirt roads.

20L8TSierra24 Senior Enthusiast

20L8TSierra24

Posted
Posted

When I had the bed lining done I also had them spray the rockers for more protection and a little different style to the truck.

 

 

 

 

 

Truck looks good!
Jordan18 Enthusiast

Jordan18

Posted
Posted

Just make sure you don't clog up any drain holes. My rocker panels on my 2002 rusted from the inside out so I had no clue till a hole the size of my fist showed up one day.

 

Any ideas where these might be exactly on the new trucks? Are they pin hole in size?

Chevor Senior Enthusiast

Chevor

Posted
Posted

Some large mud flaps is enough protection for me. Front ones hang 1" from ground stop pretty much everything from hitting the rockers.WI Ryu

tnchevy Senior Enthusiast

tnchevy

Posted
Posted

 

Any ideas where these might be exactly on the new trucks? Are they pin hole in size?

I am not sure but when I took my 2002 to a body shop last summer the owner mentioned that they can get clogged up and hold water causing rust. After seeing the cost to fix both rockers and rear quarter panels that is when I decided to go truck shopping!

CatRacer213 Enthusiast

CatRacer213

Posted
Posted

My rockers and doors are so chipped I'm embarrassed by it! My trucks got 20k miles and it looks like its seen 100k of gravel. I do drive a ton of gravel but I've never had a Chevy designed so poorly for off highway driving. The doors are basically the rockers now since they stick out farther than the rockers themselves. I have already had one box side repainted due to a hit and run in a parking lot, but the doors and rockers, and driver side box side need a ton of touch up. I've had long mudflaps on since I got it, and the tread on my tires don't stick out past my wheel wells. I finally got my Go Rhino RB10 running boards that are an absolute life saver on whats left of my paint. I'm really debating bed lining it, but it kills me to think about spraying something as permanent as that on an almost brand new truck! Once I go that route there's no going back...

Cohen Enthusiast

Cohen

Posted
Posted

I am not sure but when I took my 2002 to a body shop last summer the owner mentioned that they can get clogged up and hold water causing rust. After seeing the cost to fix both rockers and rear quarter panels that is when I decided to go truck shopping!

 

My 03 rusted out and I ended up cutting them out, welded in new ones and re-sprayed myself. I used a 3M rocker guard protector after primer and it did give that same orange peel effect.

 

...Within a year and a half some surface rust has started to come back! I think its just a poor design, there's holes in it to drain but mud, salt, etc. just eats away at the inside. Worried about how our new trucks are going to look in 10 years...

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • PhilB
      No 12v outlets in 2026 gmc Sierra

      By PhilB · Posted

      It is possible to add your own 12v outlet to your truck.  Check out this video:   I verified via GM Upfitters that pin 31 is the same on the 1500 trucks.  The wire is GM part number 84779405.   You can get the GM 12v outlet from Amazon  https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Accessory-Receptacle-25774623-13549530/dp/B0F1H9YRGF EWAY 12 Volt Power Adapter for GM   https://www.amazon.com/EWAY-Chevrolet-Silverado-Cigarette-Ignition/dp/B0915RRW6Q/ref=sr_1_1?   I just haven't figured out a good place to put the 12v outlet in my truck.   Some people are getting USB-C to 12V adapters  https://www.amazon.com/WYMECT-Cigarette-Lighter-Socket-Adapter/dp/B0F87WNQKB/ref=sr_1_1_sspa? Not sure if they provide the correct amperage that a device like a tire inflator would need.  
    • Core-Lokt
      Wiring Help, Please

      By Core-Lokt · Posted

      Thanks; I looked there a few minutes, and I think I can find something. I really never looked there, as I thought it was stuff like PTO/aftermarket bodies/accessories like snow plows.
    • newdude
      2 speed transfer case optional now?

      By newdude · Posted

      This is a 1/2 ton thing ONLY.  All HDs 2020-2026 have the two speed transfer case, with Autotrac as an option.     1/2 tons 2019-2026, regular 4x4s come with a single speed case (no 4LO!), and trucks with Z71 ordered, or all Trail Boss trucks come with the 2 speed case.  2 speed case is also an option on WT, and is also standard on High Country.  
    • newdude
      Different requirements for oil filters?

      By newdude · Posted

      2013 5.3 still to this day calls for the PF48 filter.  Which as a 15psi bypass pressure.     There is a TSB, 17-NA-157 that talks about the PF-63 and PF-64 filters which have a higher bypass rating of 22psi.    TSB HERE - temp.xml   "Beginning in 2012, the oil pumps began to regulate main gallery feedback instead of pump out pressure. This means that the oil pump now does not begin to regulate until pressure is built up to the main gallery. This change reduces the amount of time it takes to provide oil to the engine bearing and lifters during extreme cold start conditions.  Main gallery feedback oil pump control systems are present on the following engine families which use Spin-on oil filters: Small Gas Engine (SGE), Large Gas Engine (LGE), High Feature (HFV6) Gen2 and Small Block Gen5 gasoline engines. These engines with the main gallery feedback oil pump control systems are factory built with an ACDelco® oil filters"   It also calls out what engines use those filters.  The gen 4 small blocks were not on that list (LMG, LC9, L9H, L92, L94, L20, L96).  Gen 5 small blocks use the higher pressure filter.          That all said...   Your 7045 Napa filter is the PF63 equivalent, with 22psi bypass.  You are already using the higher bypass pressure filter.  You CAN keep using it, you don't technically have to use it though.  
    • Grumpy Bear
      Different requirements for oil filters?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Do you know WHY the filter relief setting was increased to 22 psig?    When the new system goes into the second stage the pump volume ramps up considerably. It was found that the 15 psi filter bypass setting put the filter in bypass on a warm engine when the second stage was activated. Raising the filter bypass setting forced the filter to do what it designed to do. Filter. Preventing debris from circulating during high load, high rpm operation.    So next question is how did GM find this out? VLOM/lifter failures and a deep dive by Melling Corp.    Last question. Is it required? Look at it like this; a motor may be equipped with a rev limiter. But it only works if the set point in reached. That 22 psig setting only matters if the pressure differential across the filter media exceeds 15 psig during normal warm operation. Second stage kicks in around 3000-3500 rpm.    I can't answer your question because I don't know you and how you use the truck. But I think there is enough information here to let you decide for yourself. 😉

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...