Did Running Boards Compromise Rockers?

[OffTheAir]

Hey everyone!

So rather sad situation, but my beloved 2014 has bubbling in the rockers and it has just slightly started to make its way to the cab corners.

I know this is a ton of text and time is short, but here's why I suspect the problem might be my nerf bars if you would like to read it:

Spoiler

I had been cautious for a while, but this got so bad so fast out of nowhere that it is genuinely upsetting, and it led me really thinking and doing some research. I was wondering if someone on here would have the knowledge to help me with my concerns?

 

Basically, I have reason to believe that I essentially screwed my truck by putting my nerf bars on it. I got these steps about 2 1/2 years ago and I remember shopping around for months because I only wanted a well-built product and something that would utilize the factory mounting points - no new drilling. Honestly, they are wonderful steps, and have held up splendidly. However, I think that the rocker panels either just are super fragile or just not the strongest metal on the 14-15s because I think over time they just opened up ways to get moisture in and trap it. I say 14-15s because I have yet to see a 16+ with this problem (perhaps not enough time has elapsed yet).

 

My first initial concerns were "Oh crap, did I botch the installation?" or "Was it because they were aftermarket?," and I really don't think that's the case. So for the past couple months I've looked into CARFAX, FB Marketplace, local people who I know have 14-15 K2s and equivalent mileage, and I noticed one thing in common: every single one that had running boards, even from the factory, had the same exact bubbling patterns as me, or worse. I really don't think I found any cases of rust with those who didn't have running boards at all, though maybe this is a coincidence??

The reason I'm asking this question is I think I want to bite the bullet and get this rust problem fixed before it gets worse, because I would really hate for this to make me lose my love for the truck. However, if the running boards are what is going to promote this rust problem again in the future - do I just ditch them? Or are there options? It's just something I want to know before diving into this, and it would be a bit of a shame since I thought the steps completed the look of my truck and were a big help for my family and friends getting in and out.

Thanks so much you guys! I'm sorry if this seems a little naive, this is my first time tackling this. It is on me for not spraying something like Krown or Fluid Film in the rockers, but please note that until recently I had no reason to believe the rockers were rotting out and I have been religious in keeping my vehicle clean during these harsh MI winters. Any input is greatly appreciated!

[silveradosid]

i dont think its the steps, poor design. my 2014 is bubbling under the rear door and cab corner and it was rust proofed. so either they did a bad job spraying or its just the usual bad gm rocker problem

[diyer2]

Frame mount running boards only for me. Limits your choices though.

 

[Grumpy Bear]

The older gentleman that installed the Rhino Tubular Step Bars on Pepper made some extension brackets to lower the bar a few inches. The are hung from the cab mount bolts. This did three things to help prevent rust. 1.) Protected the rocker from your boots/shoes striking the rocker compromising the finish. 2.) Placed the bar in a position to deflect rocks tossed by the front tires from hitting the rockers. 3.) Put enough space between the rocker and tube so the snow/salt was not held against the body. 

 

Edited March 10, 2023 by Grumpy Bear

[diyer2]

What I have.........

2012 GMC Sierra 1500 Luverne 7 Grip Step Running Boards | RealTruck

 

[newdude]

Nah, we see this gen at work without running boards on and they have smoked rockers.  Poor design, crap metals.  

 

The rocker mounted boards is just u-nuts that go into pre stamped holes in the inner rocker wall and the lower painted lip, then the screws zip into those u-nuts so its not like there is any drilling of the cab going on to expose primer or painted metal down to bare metal.  Later built trucks say 15-16 to 19, the front two top mount holes are threaded inserts right into the rocker.  

Edited March 10, 2023 by newdude

[KARNUT]

I look at the situation a little differently now in retirement. Before retirement my trucks had either running boards or bars. I ran them up and down pipelines and utility lines for up to 3 years and 150K. Then got another one. The ones at home I wanted to last didn’t see bad weather. Even Grumpy doesn’t drive his in bad weather especially when snowing. Making them last in undesirable conditions requires either lots of prevention maintenance or a bad weather beater. Eventually driving in bad weather rust will win. 

[Grumpy Bear]

1 hour ago, KARNUT said:

Even Grumpy doesn’t drive his in bad weather especially when snowing.

 

Amen! But the setup on Pepper has also prevented rocker chip repair. 

 

1 hour ago, KARNUT said:

Making them last in undesirable conditions requires either lots of prevention maintenance or a bad weather beater. Eventually driving in bad weather rust will win. 

 

Alas, nothing is forever. However, a really long time is possible. As you say, requires you care enough to be nearly. flawless in execution. Flexible in your methods. Last year was the last scrap and paint of Dizzy. Next year it's scrap and Fluid Film. 

 

7 hours ago, silveradosid said:

i dont think its the steps, poor design. my 2014 is bubbling under the rear door and cab corner and it was rust proofed. so either they did a bad job spraying or its just the usual bad gm rocker problem

 

Dad's 98 Silverado is driven year around. He does not beg off the snow or salt. He has repaired the driver's side cab corner that rotted in spite of rust proofing protection. During the repair they found a foam block of insulation about 1 inch below the hole used to apply the rust proofing. The blockage left that corner exposed. It also gave an excellent piece of metal to weld the new corner in by. 

 

Dad made his own running boards that attach by the bottom of the frame and are made of paint to match white Oak. He left enough space to allow cleaning out of snow and salt and wide enough to keep stones form bruising the body.  

[KARNUT]

11 minutes ago, Grumpy Bear said:

 

Amen! But the setup on Pepper has also prevented rocker chip repair. 

 

 

Alas, nothing is forever. However, a really long time is possible. As you say, requires you care enough to be nearly. flawless in execution. Flexible in your methods. Last year was the last scrap and paint of Dizzy. Next year it's scrap and Fluid Film. 

 

 

Dad's 98 Silverado is driven year around. He does not beg off the snow or salt. He has repaired the driver's side cab corner that rotted in spite of rust proofing protection. During the repair they found a foam block of insulation about 1 inch below the hole used to apply the rust proofing. The blockage left that corner exposed. It also gave an excellent piece of metal to weld the new corner in by. 

 

Dad made his own running boards that attach by the bottom of the frame and are made of paint to match white Oak. He left enough space to allow cleaning out of snow and salt and wide enough to keep stones form bruising the body.  

I spent three weeks getting my daughters, now my odyssey to my standards. Besides maintenance. Scrubbing seats, carpet, compounding and painting. Color matching was a pain and bigger areas than I usually attempt. The satisfaction level is through the roof. The odyssey passes as well kept one year old instead of seven years old. I’m going to be way outside my comfort level for a cross country vehicle (trip vehicle). If it fails it won’t be from lack of maintenance. My goal currently is 200K miles. Something you consider normal. A first attempt by me.

[Grumpy Bear]

19 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

I spent three weeks getting my daughters, now my odyssey to my standards. Besides maintenance. Scrubbing seats, carpet, compounding and painting. Color matching was a pain and bigger areas than I usually attempt. The satisfaction level is through the roof. The odyssey passes as well kept one year old instead of seven years old. I’m going to be way outside my comfort level for a cross country vehicle (trip vehicle). If it fails it won’t be from lack of maintenance. My goal currently is 200K miles. Something you consider normal. A first attempt by me.

 

Brother, Dizzy is sitting at 198,800 miles and purring like a kitten with a bowl of warm milk. You know what a pig she's been.

You can do this!! 

[MikeBMW]

As I recall, when I removed my running boards, when I put on the 1.5" body lift and before the Amp power steps, my running boards were mounted to the frame.
The old steps were a dealer installed item but I don't recall any of it connected to only the rocker panel.

[OffTheAir]

Hey guys,

So I wanted to provide a little update to this thread that will hopefully be useful. I'm looking into getting the rockers cleaned up and today my local body guy and I went underneath to assess the damage. I can conclude that what many of you said was true, the installation of the running boards was not the start of the corrosion, it really just comes down to bad design, at least for 14-15 (not sure if they fixed this with the refresh)

Water flows down from the back of the cab into a little flange at the end of the rockers and then just kind of collects there. I guess nine Michigan winters was finally enough time for it to really do some damage, unfortunately. Also didn't help that I washed my truck the other day on a hot, humid, overcast evening on an incline, and within that week I now have a blister on the outside of the passenger rocker right underneath the rear door. What a pain in the neck this is, lol.

One thing that was rather striking to me is that the inner rockers - which are usually the first thing to go - were surprisingly in pretty good shape? For an almost 10 year old truck in good ol' salty Michigan it's really not all too bad

That's all for now! Weighing my options on getting that rotten metal removed, looking to provide some photos. But that's for another thread 

[rav3]

Pictures of the area that needs some spray protection would be great.