I don't know about you guys down south but up here the trucks rust bad even when washed regularily. The trouble spots are box wheel wells and the rocker panels. What gives ,poor paint, or substandard sheet metal ? l guess my 04 is 12 years old

 

replaced both bedsides on mine could not find a rust free bed anywhere. also had to replace axle because of rust through bottom and middle passenger side (think bad casting was cause).

 

Live in the northeast. I have had my truck sprayed yearly with Krown. Did have the rust over the bed arches, not bad. Krown stuck by their warranty - got 1100.00 bucks. Got my a rust free bed. Rest of truck- cab, rocker panels, frames and axles in excellent condition. My Krown guy now really sprays the crap out of the inside of the bed (tail lights) removed. Plus he has given me a couple of spray bottles for me to do it myself a couple of times a year

 

wheel well liners in the bed make a huge difference.most without them rust the bed sides in a few years.those with them take much longer.mine is an 05 had them in since brand new and no rust .keeps most all the spray out from where it doesn't belong.i have 1 door that the bottom seam is rusting BUT it was a replaced after an accident in 07 with a brand new mopar door.poor pain job i guess.as original doors are rust free

 

tell me about the wheel well liners, not those chrome strips are they

 

Mopar OEM Dodge Ram Rear Wheel Well Liners - AutoTruckToys.com

basically keeps mud and rocks from chipping inner bedsides.

 

I've been noticing the same thing lately and am shocked at how many 3rd gen Dodges are rusted out badly over the rear wheels. And newer GM trucks actually seem to be even worse. Am seeing rusty wheel wells on several 07 and newer GMs. Pretty disappointing, rustproofing technology should be improving with every model of vehicle. Instead, it seems to have peaked and is now headed back downhill.

 

i bought my 05QC from TX in 2006,nearly new. its been in eastern NC since.
The rust on my wells I assumed were from the scratches and dings.. ill have to look closer.

Im interested in the tops of the DOORS. does anyone else have problem spots there? I went to wash/wax the rig one day and when I climbed atop the bed to get to the roof, I was disappointed to see the very top edge of all the doors rusting! ***?!

its not worth it for me to get the doors all treated and sprayed right. Im thinking of just removing and treating it myself and blending a color that is close.

anyone else have that issue?

 

I've seen the bottoms of the doors rust under the weather strip never the top. maybe a texas sand storm pitted the paint promoting the rust

 

well I went underneath my truck today to change broken leafs. After a good look I now see the problem, there is a splash shield welded to the inner box side. The shield is about 4-5 inches in width and has 4, 1/2" round holes in it about 1/3 of the way up the shield. If you drive in gravel, mud, the holes let debris enter, and build up around the shield and act as the catalyst for rust. It looks like the holes are there to flush out the grime. I think a garden hose will be best as the wand will be too long. the rockers suffer a similar issue. There are drain holes between the outer rocker panel and inner rocker/floor. The drain holes plug up and trap moisture, so a similar flushing is required to prevent the rust. I think there maybe a removeable access plug to perform this duty. There you go, that's what I know

 

I have mine sprayed every year by Rust Check guys. Got the truck new so did not order undercoating. Goes through Alberta and BC salty winters and no rust at all yet. I do not have the rear wheel liners either. Like to get in there with a wand wash. Fords got the right idea with alloy frame and body! Pity they don't have a diesel but rumour has it their f150 will soon. Hopefully it is an inline not a stupid vee diesel.