19 Holes down the side of my truck, what to do??

[BKennedy]

PLEASE HELP, I need some ideas; I took off the useless, ugly, skirts off the side of my truck to put on some nerf bars (I made them myself) that attach to the body rails. Now I have 19 3/8" holes down each side for a total of 38 (I added that up in my head, really). They are for now plugged with some ugly black (they don't make them in white, of course) nylon trim clips, but as I said, ....its ugly!!

I was thinking of using some of that 2" white (to match my white truck) grip tape you put on your bathtub by running it down the entire side, covering the holes. I know Explorer Express makes a trim cover, but the only one I have seen on any rig was broken, which does not fill me with confidence.

IDEAS??????

 

[section525]

You could get a piece of sheet metal 48" long and 1 1/2" wide (or whatever the exact measurements are), tack about four studs on the back (evenly spaced across the sheet metal) and paint it and bolt it on! I have the same holes showing, but my X is a dark green, so they're not very noticable.

 

[mattadams]

Rhino Lining! I love it!

 

[RytM1]

Brian, www.ExplorerExpress.com has rocker kits, which are made just for that purpose, and can be painted to match your truck (fit 93-00's). Part number for 2-dr is DS178109P, 4-dr is DS178101P...cost is $59.95. They show them on their running board page. Here is a link to the pic of them http://www.explorerexpress.com/catalog/img/large/14100.jpg

 

[BKennedy]

You guys are no help at all!! I thought about Rhino Lining it, but that would be as ugly as the black plugs. I mentioned in my first post that the only time I ever saw that cover from Explorer Express on a Explorer, it was broken, so I don't think it is going to hold up. As for sheet metal, there no way to get to the back of the rockers, so how could it be attached. I think I am just going to go with the bathroom grip tape to cover the holes, and the scratches from where the skirt used to be. It seems to be the cheapest and simplist way to take care of this.

I NEED SOME NEW IDEAS!!

 

[mattadams]

Rhino Lining ugly? Are you crazy man? I think its one of the best appearance mods I've made to the explorer!

 

[ExplorerEB96]

Well

I haven't done it yet but I'm going to use grommet plugs... you can paint them the color of your ex before you put them on (they generally come in black) then plug in the holes... I am going to use apoxy to ensure they stay in.... I have a black Explorer and well.... I just don't like these holes showing... so after I pull out the small dent from the boulder that got me..... I'm going to work of the holes.....

btw...if interested... you can go to NAPA Home Depot or the Hardware store to find the grommets...

Karol

 

[BKennedy]

I have it plugged with white painted (used to be black) grommets now. I guess it would look okay if you had a black rig, but its really noticable on my white one. It looks like its got warts or something, 19 bumps down each side. They holes need to be plugged because if any foreign matter, such as water or dirt, etc.., get in there, there is no way for it to be removed, and its going to rust.

And Matt, I like your rear bumper the best, not the Rhino lining. I'm copying your basic bumper plan when I make mine, just using a larger solid beam for the bumper itself, not the 2X2 stuff you used, so I can tow a trailer with it.

 

[RytM1]

Sorry about that Brian, I guess I was in too much of a hurry to read the whole post. No wonder no one came up with that idea before me...HAHAHA.

 

[mattadams]

Brian, I have seen white-colored Rhino Lining before. They charge an extra $75-100 for custom paint matching, but they can typically match any color. I've only seen one vehicle with white rhino lining and I thought it looked pretty good, and if kept up well Idon't think anyone would ever notice.
Other then that... you've got rhino lining and sticking some sort of a grommet in there, there isn't a whole lot much else you can do, other then taking it to a body shop who does fiberglass shaving. THen he could redo that whole portion of the panel and paint it to match...

 

[Ray Hutchinson]

Rocker hole covers

Brian,

Do you rmemeber the aluminum diamond plate rocker panel cover strips I made for my truck after I took the tupperware off? Perhaps you do remember and think they're ugly. But that's OK too...I like 'em.

There was a picture on here a while back, but i can't seem to, locate it. I'm planning to do Los Coyotes with RangerX next weekend (19-20th) If you're headed that way you can check 'em out

 

[BKennedy]

Ray; I remember your diamond plated sides. It looked good on your truck because it matches your front bumper, but its not for me. I want something you won't notice at all.

Thanks for all your help everyone, I got it figured out.

Los Coyotes next weekend ehhh?? Maybe I can talk the wife into that trip, nope she just told me we have my daughters dance recital on Saturday.

 

[Tekeman]

Unless things have changed, 86 the Explorer Express idea. i had checked with them for the kit when I took my running boards off and they said they were discontinued. Maybe it was just my truck. I splurged for the factory skirts. Just a bit of trimming inside the front wheelwells so my 33's wouldn't catch on them at full lock. MY NERF BARS ARE ORDERED TOO!! Which was the whole reason for swapping stuff around. New pics. to be coming soon!

 

[Paul B.]

LOL, Brian a danceing recital over an off-road trip! Something wrong with this picture man. I would be there, but the body work on my truck should be done by Friday, and off it goes to the paint shop for a new paint job. Ray & Bill have fun!!

 

[BKennedy]

FIxing the dents Paul?? Nothing like fixing the old dents to put fresh, new dents in their place. Yes, you read it right, a dance recital. Besides, don't have any lockers yet. Might be taking a short trip (1 1/2 days) to Big Bear with the family immediately following the recital.

 

[mattadams]

Paul, how come your fixing the dents? Dents give charachter man! . Are you going to coat the whole thing in rhino lining or just paint it? Now you'll be afraid to damage it though!

 

[CHH777]

Ray Hutchinson!!!

Ray,

I saw that post. They look great!

I am a busy (read lazy) man. PLEASE make me a pair for my 2-door! I'll pay you for them...

 

[Paul B.]

Brian & Matt, after 11 years of owning this vehicle it was time to fix everything and get a new look again. Will post some pictures later on when it is finish.

 

[Rick]

I got black plastic plugs from Ace Hardware. The local store has them in their "nuts and bolts" room.

They fit perfect and securely with no additional adhesive.

 

[KEbert]

I would also say to go with Rhino Lining. I saw it on a white '00 F-350 with turquoise Rhino and it looked awesome. (His business symbol was turquoise so it matched). Hey Matt, do you have it and if so, did you do it or have someone else do it? How much did it cost because I was really thinking about doing it.